NEWS
Dr. Bastin Nellissery (INK)
A preliminary conversation to make Rajahmahendravaram a Migrant-Friendly City, a Civil Society Consultation in Support of Migrants, was organized by the Para and Women and Child-Friendly Rajahmundry and DB4M at Ekalavya Children's Home, Rajahmundry, in the presence of Father Francis Bosco, Director of the South Asia Migrant's Network of Don Bosco Institutes, New Delhi.
The three-day National Conference on ‘Innovations in Interventions for the Indigenous Population’ was inaugurated at Don Bosco College, Sultan Bathery, on Thursday, January 9. It marks the beginning of fostering dialogue, research, and solutions for the empowerment of Indigenous communities.
The year-long celebration of the centenary of Fr. Constantine Vendrame's arrival in Northeast India in 1924 concluded on December 15, 2024, in the Province of St. John Paul II, Shillong, in collaboration with the parish of Mawpdang.
The South Asian Salesian Youth Movement Fest (SYMFEST 2024) concluded with a celebration embodying unity, faith, and youth leadership. Hosted at Sacred Heart College, Tirupattur, the final day of this transformative event profoundly reflected the values and mission of the Salesian community, leaving participants inspired and renewed.
Tej Prasarini, the Social Communication Department of the Salesian Province of Mumbai, released the first volume of the album 'Jubilate Jesus' on December 31, 2024. This album aims to bring people together to rejoice in Christ with beautiful melodies and meaningful lyrics and ensure a sustained spirit of reverence, joy, and worship throughout the 12 months of the Jubilee Year of Hope.
The second day of the South Asian Salesian Youth Movement Fest (SYMFEST) in Tirupattur, Tamil Nadu, India, on December 30, 2024, was an enriching and dynamic experience designed to inspire, reflect, and celebrate the values of youth engagement, environmental responsibility, and interfaith harmony. The participants engaged in meaningful discussions, interactive sessions, and vibrant celebrations, each contributing uniquely to the day’s themes.
The South Asian Salesian Youth Movement Fest (SYMFEST 2024-25), scheduled from December 29, 2024, to January 1, 2025, organized by Don Bosco Youth Animation South Asia and the Salesian Province of Chennai, unfurled with immense grandeur at the esteemed Sacred Heart College (Autonomous), Tirupattur, Tamil Nadu, India. The festival has over 1,800 Salesian youth and youth delegates across South Asia, including delegations from India, Bangladesh, Nepal, and Sri Lanka. Their collective presence was a poignant reminder of the unifying power of the Salesian community and its commitment to the shared ideals of service, fraternity, and faith.
The Multi-Talent Contest of SYMFEST 2024 took place on the evening of 29th December, featuring an exciting array of artistic and creative performances showcasing the participants' diverse talents. It brought together young artists from various disciplines to celebrate their creativity, teamwork, and passion. It provided an opportunity to foster a sense of companionship and shared experience. The events included the Theme Song, Dance Performance, Rangoli Drawing, Creative Art, Canvas Painting, and Tableau Presentation.
Tirupattur, the Sandal City of Tamil Nadu, is set to witness an extraordinary convergence of youthful energy and purpose as SYMFEST 2024-25 begins tomorrow at the historic Sacred Heart College. Hosted by the Salesian Province of Chennai, this landmark event celebrates the 200th anniversary of Don Bosco’s Dream at Nine. It brings together over 1,500 young participants from India, Sri Lanka, Nepal, and Bangladesh under the theme “Anchored in Hope: Young People as Agents of Change.”
St. Xavier's School (a Don Bosco Institution) team emerged as the champions in the Brass Band Boys' Category of the Eastern Zonal Level Inter-School Band Competition held in Guwahati on 22nd December. The competition showcased exceptional talent and skill, with St. Xavier's Higher Secondary School, Pathaliaghat, lifting the Champion's Trophy in the Brass Band Boys' Category, competing with 10 teams across the Eastern region of India, representing states such as Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram, Meghalaya, Assam, Sikkim, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Tripura, and Odisha.
The Don Bosco College in Sultan Bathery brought together the survivors of the Mundakkai and Chooralmala landslides on Friday, December 20, to celebrate the 'Santa Eve 2K24' event. The event provided a sense of normalcy and comfort, reminding them they were not alone in their struggles.
Deacons Royal Fernandes, Joswin D'Souza, Sheldon Fernandes, Infancio Pires, and Savio Dias were ordained as Salesian priests for the Province of Panjim.
On December 18, India marked International Migrants Workers Day with a series of transformative events across the nation, reflecting a collective resolve to uplift internal migrants who often face exploitation and invisibility. Spearheaded by Don Bosco for Migrants (DB4M) partners—including PARA, KISMAT, Suraksha Migrants Desk, DBMS, BOSCO INK, and Navsarjan—the celebrations highlighted the struggles and contributions of migrant workers while emphasizing the critical need for systemic change. Anchored by the Distressed International Young Migrant Workers Day manifesto, these initiatives called for policies ensuring minimum wages, decent working conditions, and social security. "Let us join and respect them as laborers with rights," urged the manifesto, underscoring the importance of advocacy, solidarity, and action to protect the dignity and rights of India's migrant workforce.
On December 17, the Catholic Church and the Salesian Congregation marked a historic moment as Father Wangbo George Wangsu, the first Salesian priest from Arunachal Pradesh, was ordained at St. Joseph Parish Mintong, by Rev. Bishop George Palliparambil, SDB, DD, the Bishop of Miao Diocese. Father Wangbo George Wangsu, belonging to the Wancho Tribe, is a testimony to the enduring missionary efforts in the region. Father Wangsu was ordained in the presence of Auxiliary Bishop Denis Panipitchai SDB and a host of Salesians, clergy, religious sisters, and faithful from across the region. Father George Wangsu is the eldest of seven siblings of Mr. Banwang and Mrs Banchoi Wangsu.