Alumni Host Iftar Party in School

Staff and Alumni at Don Bosco Kolkata Iftar 2011

KOLKATA, (C.M. Paul) – The Alumni of Don Bosco School Park Circus held Iftar party for the Salesin staff and past pupils, on Sunday 14th August 2011.

“This is the only school in Kolkata Salesian province where Iftar party is held regularly,” says Rector and Principal Fr Siby Vadakel seated along with Alumni.

The Alumni World Council member Mr Rajesh Gupta adds, “The practice has been going on for the last five years now.”

Local Alumni president Mr T.V. Noman explains that, “on this day when we break the fast, we celebrate our fellowship with the past pupils.”

The local alumni also conduct DB Night School with some 750 boys and girls, mostly Muslims from the neighbourhood.

They study up to class VIII, and hopefully clear class ten exams through the NOS (NationalOpenSchool) scheme.

The Alumni also conduct Adult Literacy programme for some 200 Muslim girls from the Madrassa schools.

For Iftar party in school there were eight tables set with eight chairs each. The Alumni and Salesian staff were seated (all men) and exchanging pleasantries while a variety of seven fresh fruits, dates, juice and five types of fried items were served. At 6.14 pm, Iftar was declared after which all started to eat.

Iftar refers to the evening meal when Muslims break their fast during the Islamic month of Ramadan. Iftar is one of the religious observances of Ramadan and is often done as a community, with people gathering to break their fast together. Iftar is done right after Maghrib (sunset) time. Traditionally, a date is the first thing to be consumed

when the fast is broken. In places like Hyderabadand Kolkata, people break their fast with Haleem (mutton / lamb cooked in daal) because it has a rich taste and is quite filling.

Many Muslims believe that feeding someone Iftar as a form of charity is very rewarding and that it was practiced by Prophet Muhammad.

Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, which lasts 29 or 30 days. It is the Islamic month of fasting, in which participating Muslims refrain from eating, drinking and sexual intimacy with their partners during daylight hours and is intended to teach Muslims about patience, spirituality, humility and submissiveness to God.

Muslims fast for the sake of Allah and offer more prayer than usual. Compared to the solar calendar, the dates of Ramadan vary, moving backwards by about eleven days each year depending on the moon; thus, a person will have fasted every day of the calendar year in 34 years’ time. Muslims believe Ramadan to be an auspicious month for the revelations of God to humankind, being the month in which the first verses of The Qur’an were revealed to prophet Muhammad.

Vice Chancellor Recalls Fond Memories of DB School

DBU Vice Chancellor gives special DB medallion to Vice Chancellor of Guwahati University

GUWAHATI, (Shiji James) –  The Vice Chancellor of Guwahati University shared a few nostalgic moments inaugurating of the academic session 2011-2012 of Don Bosco College of Engineering and Technology (DBCET) at Azara, 26 July.

“DonBoscoUniversityis modelled after the well known Universities in the world as it follows the pattern of education they offer’ said Vice Chancellor of Gauhati University Prof Okhil Kumar Medhi, the Chief Guest of the day’s function.

Reminiscing the experience of his school days, he said, “I am proud to say that I am a past student ofDonBoscoSchooland I have imbibed the missionary spirit and zeal with which the Don Bosco Family serve the poor and deprived of the society.”

While speaking about the contribution of Don Bosco Society he stated that the starting ofDonBoscoUniversitywith multiple courses and study programmes help the students in the region to have access to higher education in the vicinity. He stressed on the importance of imparting holistic education that aims to bring about complete human being.

DBCET Azara Atrium - the happening place!

The freshers were introduced into the new academic year through a meaningful programme which gave a perfect blend of information and entertainment.  This is the final year at DBCET for the first batch of B.Tech and MCA students.

Welcoming the assembly, Vice Chancellor of Assam Don Bosco University Dr. StephenMavelysaid, “It is a wonderful feeling to be back, starting all over again, looking forward with hope to the year ahead, nursing big dreams while, at the same time, taking determined steps day by day to achieve them.”

Commenting on the theme chosen of the academic year, “Get on board – new horizons beckon!”, he said, “It’s a phrase rich with meaning, for all of us staff and students alike. But it has a special significance for our first batch of engineering and MCA students getting ready to flap their wings and fly, dreaming of the world of work where they want to make a mark as thorough-going professionals and good human beings.”

Theme event: “Get on board – new horizons beckon!

“This motto is challenging you to look beyond at the larger horizons that beckon you.” he added.

The gathering was formally welcomed by Prof Manoranjan Kalita, the Principal of Don Bosco College of Engineering and Technology. Glimpses of the past academic year, presentation of the important events and programmes of the semester, introducing of the new faculty members, prize distribution to the academic achievers, a choreography that brought out the meaning of a true Bosconian, dances and song formed the part of the function.

Fr. StephenMavelytook the occasion to felicitate the Chief Guest, Prof Okhil with a special medallion containing the inscription of the great educator of youth, saint, Don Bosco.

DBCET Azara is also the temporary administrative office of Assam Don Bosco University with its new site at Tapesia Gardens some 16 kms off the state capital Dispur.

Park Circus Cooperators Re-born after 33 years

New batch of Don Bosco Park Circus Salesian Cooperators take pledge, 17 July 2011

KOLKATA – A group of ten teachers of Don Bosco School Park Circus took their pledge as Salesian Cooperators at the solemn Eucharistic celebration with Don Bosco Relic during the Salesian Family Day held 17 July. They took their pledge in the presence of Salesian Cooperator’s provincial coordinator Mr. Benedict Beck and in the presence of some 700 Salesian Fathers, Brothers, Sisters, Cooperators and Alumni.

The new members prepared under the direction of Rector & Principal Fr Siby Vadakel are: Brothers Paul Jacob & Sunny Thomas, and Sisters Annie Thomas, Christina Raphael, Devamanohari Fernando, Sherry Taylor, Bipasha Biswas, Jyoti Harney, Suma Thomas and Cicily James. Seven more members are in the ‘come & see” stage of formation.

“It has been a much considered decision for me to join the Salesian Cooperators,” says Mr Sunny Thomas, only Catholic Teacher of neighbouringBirlaHigh Schoolwho took the pledge along with his wife Suma, a Don Bosco school teacher.

Cooperators take pledge with Don Bosco Relic at Don Bosco Park Circus, 17 July 2011

For local co-ordinator of the Cooperators, Mr Paul Jacob, “the thought of being a part of the Salesian Family” was a great motivation. Mr Jacob was already engaged in several youth related activities like YCS and Scouts.

Speaking at the occasion Fr Provincial Thomas Ellicherail exhorted both the new  cooperators and the entire Salesian Family to grab the occasion of the presence of Don Bosco Relic to re-new, re-live and re-vive their Salesian commitment.”

The Northern India Zonal Secretary Mr. Francis Mondal of Bandel (Auxilium) Unit is of the opinion that “regular formation meeting in the Project of Apostolic Life and a greater knowledge of Don Bosco and his Preventive System is a must for the success of a unit.”

And that too he says “depends on the enthusiasm and energy of Salesians in loco.”

Last year Mr. Mondal visited Don Bosoc schools in Park Circus, Bandel, Malbassy, Mirik and Azimganj as well as the Salesian Sisters in Kurseong to encourage the formation of Cooperator’s Unit.

The Don Bosco Park Circus Unit which rendered yeoman service and provincial level leadership in 1970s had been defunct since 1978, though a fresh attempt was made also in 1994.

The Cooperator as originally envisaged by Don Bosco is a true Salesian in the world. The Cooperators may well claim to be the eldest born of the Salesian Family, for they continue in the steps of the clergy and laity who were Don Bosco’s help before he founded the Salesian Congregation. They are the “extern Salesians” always and inseparably linked with the Salesian Congregation.  To be a Co-operator is a practical and up-to–date way of living the love of Christ and participating in the unique mission of the Church.

Slum children join VIPs honouring Don Bosco Relic at Don Bosco Park Circus

Don Bosco Kolkata Adult Literacy girls pay homage

KOLKATA (17 July) – Friends and admirers of Don Bosco mingled with slum children in paying homage to the Relic of St John Bosco at an official public function held at Don Bosco School Park Circus, from 3 pm, 17 July. Over 800 students of the Night School, some 250 girls of Adult Literacy programme both coordinated by the Alumni and over 7,000 people filed past Don Bosco relic paying their homage.

Earlier in the day, the Relic went from Auxilium Church Gobra to Auxilium Convent Park Circus. It was brought in procession from neighbouring Christ the King Church Park Circus escorted by parishioners, students and alumni. Over 800 Don Bosco students in white cap walked in procession to Don Bosco School Park Circus less than a kilometer away.

A group of ten teachers of the school took their pledge as Salesian Cooperators at a public ceremony during the Salesian Family Day held in the morning in the presence of Salesian Fathers, Brothers, Sisters, Cooperators and Alumni.

L to R: Usha Uthup, Abp Menamparampil, Fr Provincial, Sr. Provincial, Fr Strooscio and Fr Siby

Archbishop Thomas Menamparampil of Guwahati and Salesian Provincial of Kolkata Fr Thomas Ellicherail, Provincial of the Salesian Sisters Sr Maria Pettayil and the only Italian Salesian in Kolkata city 89 year old Fr Stroscio Rosario graced the public function which commenced at 3.00 pm. The programme organized by alumni, staff and students consisted of a 30 minute prayer service during which the school choir sang Don Bosco hymns and read portions from sacred scriptures (The Gita, The Koran, The Tipitaka, The Kalpa Sutra, The Guru Granth Sahib, The Zend Avesta and The Holy Bible). Students from Auxilium Dum Dum and Our Lady Queen of the Missions presented prayer dances.

Kolkata’s singing sensation Usha Uthup turned up to pay tribute and sang “Amazing Grace” in homage to Don Bosco, enthralling the audience.

Two short films screened during the event included “Don Bosco With Us” a ten minute film on the meaning and significance of Don Bosco Relic Visit. The second short film screened was entitled: “DonBosco Kolkata Province.”

The Don Bosco students will have ample time with Don Bosco on Monday (18^th July) morning, before the Relic leaves for Auxilium Church Gobra.

Hoardings & Mobile Van Herald DB Relic’s Kolkata Visit

Eden Media's mobile van hoarding.

KOLKATA, (C.M. Paul) – Monday morning Don Bosco School Park Circus students were thrilled to see giant billboard hoardings in several parts of Kolkata announcing the visit of Don Bosco Relic to their school. Creative visualizations of hoardings by Mr Bitan Roy of Eden Media scream from flyovers and traffic junctions – Come Bless us, Oh Loving Father” 17^th to 18^th July 2011 at Don Bosco Park Circus.

“I saw it Father, huge advertisement announcing Don Bosco Relic visit to our school,” says Class XII student Rishav Khaitan thrilled and proud to see the hoardings.

While the school façade is draped in a giant poster, Don Bosco Circleoutside the school at the three-point crossing has another hoarding. And 300 meters away at the Park Circus seven-point crossing has another giant hoarding.

An Eden Media hoarding near Alipore Zoo.

“I saw two giant DB Relic hoarding, on the way from the airport to the city,” says Vice Chancellor of Don Bosco University Guwahati on his stop over in Kolkata Sunday night en route to Madridto attend the International Saleisan Universities’ (IUS) meet.

“There are seven hoardings and a mobile van announcing Don Bosco’s first visit to the city he saw in his 9^th April 1886,” says principal Fr Siby Vadakel.

He has also sent out letters to the parents of his 3,000 students inviting them to come and pay homage to Don Bosco on Sunday 17^th July.

The Don Bosco Park Circus Alumni are also organizing a Press conference at Calcutta Press Club to brief the media on the Public Function to pay homage to Don Bosco Relic, 12 July.

Don Bosco Relics Bless Hindu and Christian Believers in Dibrugarh

Dimapur Vice-provincial Fr Nestor Guria welcomes DB Relics to Don Bosco School Dibrugarh

DIBRUGARH, Assam (C.M. Paul) – In an earlier report of extraordinary happenings related to Don Bosco Relics Visit to Tinsukia, former vice-provincial of Dimapur province and Rector of Don Bosco School Dibrugarh Fr. Jonas Kerketta SDB reported two extraordinary blessings a Muslim family received. This time, Fr Kerketta reports on Don Bosco Relics Pilgrimage and extraordinary blessings showered on Hindu and Christian believers in Dibrugarh. From 10.30 a.m. to 1.00 p.m. on 12th May 2011 Don Bosco’s Relic was in the Cathedral Church of Dibrugarh.

(a) Ms. Roseline Lakra (32) of Hathiali Tea Estate under Dibrugarh Parish, had been suffering from Gastric ailment and general weakness for quite sometime. The doctor had said she needed blood transfusion. On 12th May Roseline went to pray to Don Bosco in the Dibrugarh Cathedral. Touching the casket she prayed fervently. Before taking leave of Don Bosco’s Relics she picked up some flowers from the casket. On reaching home she ate some of those flowers. She became cured. She went to see her doctor. The doctor confirmed that she was strong enough and did not need blood transfusion. Her Gastric problem too disappeared. This morning (20 May 2011) I got this event confirmed from the diocesan Parish Priest-cum-Chancellor, Fr. Vijay Kumar Toppo.

People flock to pray and pay homage to DB Relics

Again, from 1.45 p.m. 12th May to 5.30 a.m. 13th May 2011, Don Bosco Relic was in DonBoscoSchool, Dibrugarh.
(a) Mrs. Purnima Saikia (45), a senior teacher in Junior Don Bosco School, Dibrugarh (Hindu by religion), was suffering from sleeplessness for the last two years. She had spent lot of money on doctors and even astrologers but without the desired results. As a consequence her health was deteriorating. On 12th May she prayed near the casket of Don Bosco. From that day onwards she has peaceful sleep. When I contacted her late last night (19 May 2011) she said she is still enjoying peaceful sleep and says she is very grateful to Don Bosco. She has shared this fact only with her son Anurag Saikia (22) in Bangalore, and a chosen few.

(b) Miss Anumita Saha is another Hindu teacher in Junior Don Bosco School, Dibrugarh. Her father Mr. Ranjit Saha (54) works in a transport office. For some days he had been experiencing anxious moments due to some problem in the office. On 12th May Anumita wrote a prayer to Don Bosco and dropped it in the petition box. On her return home that day she found her dad totally relaxed and happy….

Anumita lost her mother when her younger brother Debojit Saha (now 22) was 2/3 years old. He did not have a normal childhood. Somehow he managed to pass HSLC (School leaving) examinations and got a job. But he was very irresponsible and irregular in his work. Anumita (now acting like a mother in the family) was worried for him. In the prayer-note she prayed for her brother too. Anumita says, Debojit now has very much improved: he is showing signs of responsible behaviour and is regular in his work. Anumita continues to pray to Don Bosco and is very grateful to him.

Mr. Dominic Deposi, Dibrugarh DonBoscoSchoolclerk, on 12th May asked Fr Kerketta to request the congregation to pray for his 1st cousin, Mr. Gerard Frank,during Holy Eucharist. Mr. Frank (53) had been suffering from brain haemorrhage in a Kanpur hospital in Uttar Pradesh. On 8th May 2011 Frank went into coma. The doctors said he could not be operated upon. During the Mass on 12th May the congregation prayed fervently for Mr. Frank. On 13th May another doctor visited Mr. Frank. He said he would attempt to operate Mr. Frank. He did so immediately. The operation turned out to be successful! Today Mr. Dominic Deposi (our clerk atSchool) personally told me his cousin Mr. Frank is out of the ICU (Intensive Care Unit) and is beginning to recognize people.
Fr. Jonas Kerketta SDB may be contacted at frjonassdb@gmail.com
Please click or cut and paste the link for a report on “Don Bosco Relics Bless Muslim Teacher“ https://cmpaul.wordpress.com/2011/05/19/don-bosco-relics-bless-muslim-and-hindu-teachers/

Indian Salesians Lose Title to Don Bosco Dubious (?) MP Trust*

MUMBAI  – The CSF (Catholic-Christian Secular Forum www.thecsf.org) takes strong exception to a non-Church and non Salesian group, Don Bosco Educational Trust registered in New Delhi, having its office in Chindwara district of Madhya Pradesh, registering the title of ‘Don Bosco’ as its intellectual property with rights under the trade marks act 1999, Number 1407313 in journal 1389 in class 41. The CSF learned of it through a public notice that appeared in the Times of India dated 9th March, 2011 and took the initiative to raise an alarm on this & related issues. Do let The CSF know of other such cases, in order to be taken up, lest there be no distinction between Church or Christian institutions and others for reasons below.

Times of India, 9 March 2011

Now, the use of the title DON BOSCO without the permission of the trust would be punishable by law. The trust runs the Don Bosco Public School chain specializing in residential schools which are co-educational and residential. Its website http://donboscopublicschool.com/ says it is purely a vegetarian school run by professionals. Worse, the trust website also has a certificate of blessing by Pope Pius XI, from 1934. According to The CSF, this does not constitute any permission to use the name, nor does it denote any association with the Catholic Church or the Salesians, founded by Don Bosco. The Salesians have been in India for over a century and work largely with poor and needy children, unlike the said CBSE schools run by the dubious trust. The values and culture associated with the trust, comes nowhere to the Salesian ideals and goals. The Salesian run hundreds of institution throughout the country and have educated lakhs of students over the last 10 decades.

Fraud & Misappropriation
The CSF is of the opinion that this is nothing short of misrepresentation and it is effectively committing fraud on gullible parents, who are bound to be misled. Even more mercenary is the fact that it amounts to exploiting the saint for commercial and advertising purposes by a private enterprise. Surely, the trust could have checked with the Church or Salesians, before registering the title Don Bosco, which displays it malicious and fraudulent intent. This is akin to cyber squatters, who register websites of prominent names and then blackmail those concerned to surrender their claim.  The Church, Salesians and the community need to safeguard against such rampant misuse of Christian names by scrupulous elements and have a duty to see that the public is not deceived by such abuse. In a legal notice, The CSF calls upon the trust to immediately remove all material like the certificate of the Pope and surrender its claim of the words ‘Don Bosco’ being its own, which belongs to the Salesians and the Catholic Church, and has been misappropriated by the said trust. The CSF, failing which, will also file criminal charges against the trust for fraud and cheating. Surely, the trust concerned would know of the existence of the Salesians and Don Bosco institutions, which makes it all the more culpable.

Many instances for the Church to act
The CSF has in the past pointed out several instances of Christian names being used by non-Christian entities, which are misleading such as a St. Joseph Convent being run by one Sumerchand Agarwal, through a private trust called Bhayaram Sisram Shikshan Sanshtha and which has nothing to do with the community. Similarly throughout the country, several non-Church or even non-Christian educational institutions are using Christian names, to mislead parents. Hence, The CSF has in a memorandum to the union education minister, Kapil Sibal, called for checks and suitable guidlines to be issued to the concerned government to be cautious when registering educational institutions. Church or Christian institutions speak of a certain quality standard and this is why non Church or non Christian institutions attempt to use Christian names or words like convent. Recently, the government of Karnataka issued a circular asking English-medium schools to use the word ‘convent’ discretely.

Salesians in the service of the Indian Church
Of the 119 Salesian bishops in the world, five are cardinals. In the last 104 years of Salesian presence in India, 22 Salesians served the Indian church hierarchy. Eight of them were archbishops. Archbishop Eugene Mederlet of Madras was the first Salesian bishop in India (1928-1934) while Bishop Paul Mariaselvam of Vellore (1953-54) was the first Indian Salesian to become a bishop. The first five of them were missionaries from abroad while the remaining 17 are native sons of the Church. Currently there are 10 Salesian prelates in India – five in the northeast India, three in Tamil Nadu and two in West Bengal. Archbishop Thomas Menamparampil of Guwahati, Archbishop Dominic Jala of Shillong, Retired Bishop Robert Kerketta of Tezpur, Bishop Joseph Aind of Dibrugarh and Bishop George Paliparambil of Miao serve  northeast India. While Archbishop Lucas Sirkar of Kolkata and Bishop Joseph Gomes of Krishnagar serve the Church in West Bengal, Archbishop Chinnappa of Madras-Mylapore, Bishop Soundaraj of Vellore and Bishop Joseph Antony of Dharmapuri serve Tamil Nadu Church.
*Joseph Dias, General Secretary, The CSF