DON BOSCO SCHOOLS INDIA
Lead the Change Like Don Bosco: Past Pupils Meet at Hyderabad
The Provincial Federation of the Don Bosco Past Pupils of the Province of Hyderabad gathered to celebrate the foundation day on Sunday, 23 June, commemorating the memory of the day, when past pupil Carlo Gastini met to thank and wish Don Bosco on his name feast. This moment was re-lived by garlanding the statue of Don Bosco in the presence of all the participants.
The gathering of the past pupil leaders from 10 local units across the Province was hosted at the Don Bosco Provincial House, Hyderabad. The gathering began with the Holy Eucharist celebrated by the Fr. Michael Kishore, the Salesian Family delegate of the Province. In his message, Fr Kishore spoke about the significance of the celebration of the anniversary of 200 years of the dream of Don Bosco and how every alumnus should be inspired, to lead a life to make the dream of Don Bosco come true in present times.
Mr Illuri Parsad presented the assembly the detailed annual report of the activities of the Provincial Federation. The initiation of the new units of Kurnool, Narsipatnam and Ongole was the special feature of the report. The leaders of each local unit were felicitated and appreciated for their service to past pupils’ association. Fr Noel Maddhichetty, the Provincial delegate of the Province presented the assembly the structure, vision, mission and strategic plan of the Past Pupils Association. He exhorted the leaders to lead the change in their personal lives and as part of the members of the larger reality of Salesian Family. He also highlighted the core values of life, freedom, truth, solidarity, fraternity and communion. The assembly also were informed about the celebration of the 150th anniversary of the foundation of Past Pupils Association to be held as the extra-ordinary world assembly on October 2-6, 2024, at Valddocco, Italy.
In the post lunch session the need for registering as the members of the Indian National Federation of Don Bosco Past Pupils to obtain the official identity card and its benefits were made known. The leaders of the local units proudly presented activities of the local units to the assembly. The need to increase the membership of the local units by inviting past pupils of the recent years was stressed to ensure the sustainability of the movement. The Past Pupils’ Federation of Hyderabad, which has gained momentum in the recent years, pledged to be engaged in a committed manner for the growth and progress at the Provincial and local level to keep alive the spirit, and sustain the charismatic mission of Don Bosco to give life with dignity to many more deserving youth. It was truly a moment of recalling with gratitude the gift of education and worthy life which each of them have inherited from Don Bosco institutions.
Youth are our Priority and Responsibility
It is the bold and clear statement by the Salesians of South Asia regarding their relationship with
the young.
St. John Bosco, affectionately called Don Bosco, was not a theorist but a practical man with a compassionate heart and a zeal to save the youngsters from the all the perils and with a dream to provide them with holistic education.