New home for Maram College girls

Archbishop arrives at Auxilium

Maram, (Lucy Nedumala) – While Provincial of Guwahati, Sr. Elizabeth George inaugurated Auxilium Girls’ Hostel for college students from four North Eastern States (Manipur, Nagaland, Arunachal and Assam), Archbishop Dominic Lumon, of Imphal blessed the Maram hostel on 13th May 2014.

“The hostel is a home away from home for the young girls of the region,” said the Vice Principal of Don Bosco College Maram, Sr. Lucy Nedumala. She welcomed everyone explaining in brief the dream for Auxilium Girls’ Hostel.

The hostel has a capacity of accommodating about 200 girls of various courses offered by Don Bosco College, Maram, i.e., BA, BSc, BCom, BSW and BCA.

Present for the day’s function were 13 Priests, 18 Religious Sisters of the neighbouring communities, village elders and young people.

The solemn concelebrated Eucharistic celebration which began at 10:30 a.m. was presided over by the Archbishop in honour of St. Mary Mazzarello, the Co-foundress, of the Salesian Sisters of Don Bosco. In his message, His Grace spoke words of appreciation and highlighted on the opportunities provided by the Salesian Sisters for the education of the young girls.

Provincial Sr. Elizabeth George inaugurates Auxilium Hostel

To add to the solemnity of the day a short cultural programme was organised, giving the message through a one act play: “Love Conquers.” Addressing the gathering Sr. Elizabeth George said, “Let this hostel be a home that evangelises the young.”

Sr. Teresa Alluppillil, the animator of the community proposed the vote of thanks which was followed by a fraternal meal.

Media day at Holy Child Guwahati

Assamese Film actress  Zareefa Wahid at Holy Child  School

Guwahati, (Annie V) – A popular Assamese film actress was the Chief Guest of the Media day celebrations organized by the media club members on 24th June 2014 at Holy Child School, Guwahati.

Speaking on the occasion, actress Miss Zareefa Wahid invited the students,” to select only what is good and useful that the media presents to us and to discard all that diverts our real focus in life.

The Media club members put up a variety show such as skits, music, dance etc highlighting the blessings that media has brought to humanity and the need for wise use of it.

The ten year old Media club of Holy Child aims creating awareness among the students on the wise use of Media.

Last year they had it with the deprived children of Auxilium Ashalaya and donated stationary items like pen, pencil box, copy book and snacks to them.

In 2011 , the youth day was celebrated in the school mini-stadium in a grant scale in which several celebrities were invited. A beautiful cultural programme was performed to mark the occasion. Representatives of Media club members from two sister-schools ie, St. Mary’s Maligaon and St.Mary’s Guwahati too participated and performed items.

Media Club on stage

Before concluding the celebration , the President of the Media Club made an announcement that they would subscribe two magazines, ‘Down to Earth’ and Reader’s Digest for one year for the School Library. They had also planned to spend the afternoon out and pay a visit to G.L. Publications. But due to the inclement weather, they had to postpone it for another day in August after the summer vacation.

Women discuss human trafficking

Assam women discuss human trafficking

Guwahati, (Ashiho Kaini)- The Human Empowerment and Development Centre (HEDC) organized two full days awareness programme on Human Trafficking for 41 women leaders from five centres of the Salesians Sisters in Assam from 14-15 June, 2014 at HEDC, near Holy Child School, Chandmari, Krishnanagar, Guwahati.

“Let us join hands together to end violence against women and girls” said Salesian Sister of Mumbai Province Sr. Rita Mascarenhas, the secretary of Asian Movement of Women Religious Against Trafficking (AMRAT) and an active member of “TALITHA KUM”, the Anti- Human Trafficking Association of Salesian Sisters (FMA), Provincial Conference of India (PCI) who was the resource person for the seminar.

Sr. Rita brought out clearly what is human trafficking, why is human trafficking? How does human trafficking take place, who are human traffickers and what are the measures or remedies to be taken.

Sr. Rita Mascarenhas facilitates discussions

The use of Power Point presentations, video clips and sharing of her personal experience in rescuing girls and women who are trafficked brought about clarity and in-depth understanding of the topic.

Sr. Rita reminded the participants on the importance of the “Orange Day” (World Day to end Violence against women and girls).

Road expansion affects LFS, Imphal

Demolished wall of Little Flower School Imphal

Imphal, (Philomena Ashiphro) – The Road widening programme of the State of Manipur is a matter of serious concern to the staff and students of Little Flower School, Imphal. The implementation of the proposed plan has seen the dismantling of the school walls on June 5, to give way for an eight-lane road to the Airport.

Speaking about the eviction incident, Superior of the School Community Sr. Nisa Bernardine, said, “Little Flower School, Imphal, is greatly affected by the eviction drive, since June 5, 7 a.m. The School is now standing without the protection of a wall, leaving the School to the mercy of thieves and bandits and also exposing the students in danger of any mishap at any time”.

As the work of the eviction is in progress, the school vans transporting the students and staff to the School are not able to arrive and leave the School Campus on time, causing great inconvenience to the smooth running of the School.

Manipur Government has proposed to widen the road from its present four lanes to eight lanes on the Tiddim Road also called the VVIP (Very very Important Person) Road or Airport Road from Keishampat to Malom, disregarding the damage its project would cost to thousands of people and property.

Demolition squad line-up outside LFS, Imphal

The drainage system along the said road has been destroyed for the past few weeks leading to water logging and many areas are submerged under water. The stagnant drain water is causing filth and stench and could be health hazard to the students.

Observing the harsh situation of Little Flower School, Imphal, Sr. Teresa Karotukunel, Director of Sneha Bhavan, a De-addiction and Rehabilitation center for Women, said, “With the age-old green trees felled and the front part of the school walls demolished, the 57 year old school wears a ruined look.”

3 FMA, no Salesians among 48 ADBU research scholars

FMA Sisters Manloda, Annie and Rosily at Assam Don Bosco University Guwahati

GUWAHATI, (C.M. Paul) — A group of 48 research scholars concluded second part of their mandatory week-long course work, Saturday 28 September at Assam Don Bosco University’s, (ADBU) Azara campus. Among the scholars were Jesuits from USA and Italy, diocesan, Holy Cross and Divine Word Missionary priests, and three Salesian Sisters including lay men and 24 women.

The Salesian Sisters were from three provinces of Bangalore, Guwahati and Shillong namely: Sr Manloda Sangma (Agartala), Sr . L. Annie (Guwahati) and Sr Rosily (Hyderabad).

During the weeklong program (23-28 Sept), besides attending lectures on specialized topics concerning research, methodology and literature review, the scholars also meet in their departments and discussed projects and made presentations.

The week concluded with written exams on the course work on Saturday.

The scholars are currently enrolled in 9 research departments out of 11 offered by the University. The departments include: Language Studies (4), Management (7), Mass Communication (3), Northeast Studies (8), Social work (14), Chemical Science (2), Computer Science Engineering (7), Electrical and Electronics Engineering (1), Electronics and Communication Engineering (4).

There were no takers in this year’s batch for the departments of Comparative Religion, and Physics.

“During these past two years since PhD program started, only 110 scholars were admitted for doctoral program out of over 1,050 who sought admission. Of these, 34 have completed their mandatory course work and have already registered for the doctoral program,” says ADBU Director of Research Prof JN Vishwakarma.

He adds, “an equal number of scholars is expected to register for the PhD program after this week.”