Centre Picks Bombay  Salesian for Social Communications

Darryl D'Souza

Mumbai: 5th May -- Tej-Prasarini, the Media education and Production Centre of the Salesian Province of Bombay, India has grown from an idea to its present state as a fully-fledged institution hrough the efforts of a dynamic person who conceived then nurtured the idea and worked selflessly towards its growth. Fr. Peter Gonsalves, the outgoing Director of Tej was that dedicated person. He has now been called to the Pisana, in charge of the Formation department of Social Communication at the level of the Congregation. In response to the call, he left for Rome on April 20, 2001. One of his last productions at Tej, namely, ROSARY ON THE WORLD - a rosary recited by the Archbishop of Bombay was released the day of his departure. He joins a number of salesians of the Bombay Province, who are working in several departments of the Generalate.

    Peter Gonsalves is known for his 'Exercises in Media Education' and more recently as the editor of 'Shepherds for an Information Age' - a training manual for those in formation from the pre-novitiate to Ordination. Besides these, he has a host of audio and video productions to his name.  Peter was the Social Communications delegate of the Province for many years and the Secretary of BOSCOMM, India, the national social communication delegation of Salesians in India spread throughout  nine provinces.

    Tej-Prasarini (which means 'Light Diffuser') set up in 1995 has grown to be a Media Education Centre recognized by Educational Institutions, Youth centres, Parishes and NGO's at national and International level. At the farewell ceremony held at Tej-Prasarini on April 19, Fr. Tony D'Souza, Provincial of Bombay Province said: "The light of Peter is too bright to be contained only in the Province of Bombay. It has to shine beyond the province to the world at large". The backdrop for the Farewell ceremony read: "Arrivederci Fr. Peter". The Provincial however, remarkedthat 'Arrivederci' meant, SEE YOU BACK AGAIN.