KOLKATA: 4th February 2005 -- “The way you take care of children who are otherwise the have-nots ….is not merely the glory of the institution but also of the founding Fathers…I salute the contribution and missionary zeal of the Don Bosco Past Pupils”, said Indian Government Minister for Water Resources Shri Priyaranjan Das Munshi. The senior leader also expressed the best wishes of the Chairperson of the United Progressive Alliance, Sonia Gandhi (a former Past Pupil of the Salesian Sisters) who unfortunately couldn’t attend the function.
Approximately 500 Past Pupils from many Salesian provinces from the Asia -Oceania geographical zone are participating at the 3-day deliberations which began yesterday 3rd February, on the theme: ‘Salesian Education – a celebration of holiness’ held at three venues – Don Bosco Park Circus, Liluah and Bandel. Congressess are organised every 4 years in different parts of the world. This is the second time that it has been organised in India. The first conference held in India was in Mumbai in 1984.
“…This Congress is not being held at a Five Star Hotel as the spirit of Don Bosco Past Pupils is that everyone is treated equally,” remarked the national president Mr. Rajesh Gupta, while welcoming the delegates. World Vice President, Mr. Victor Vaz from Goa read out the message of the World President, Mr. Francesco Muceo. The message suggested three practical ways to implement the congress theme - ‘Celebration of Holiness’. “Firstly, concern for an ongoing formation of Past Pupils; secondly, sharing and giving special place to the commitment of education of youth; and thirdly, participation in the Salesian mission,” he said.
“Past Pupils are also members of the Salesian Family”, said World Delegate Fr. Jeronimo Monteiro, quoting the Salesian Constitutions. “Celebration and Joy are an integral part of Don Bosco’s education. Doing everything we do with joy and happiness…living every moment of our life with a conviction that we are God’s children and avoiding that displeases Him. To become an educator in the family as Don Bosco did while working for peer ministry and assisting one another, are further ways one could live the congress theme” Fr Monteiro said.
The Regional Councillor for South Asia, Fr. Joaquin D’Souza said: “I have seen a sense of unity, enthusiasm, joy and deep attachment of Don Bosco Past Pupils. They are always loyal…”
“…Past pupils activity is to be engaged in human development of peace and justice, solidarity, dialogue and tolerance…they contribute to socio-cultural dialogue through social communications,” said Vicar General and Councillor of the Salesian Family Fr. Adriano Bregolin. “ They also collaborate with the other agencies of similar view,” he added.
Fr. K J Louis, National Delegate, Salesian Provincial and Salesian Sisters’ Provincial of Kolkata Province, Salesian Provincial of Manila (Phillipines) and Fr. Joseph Manipadam provincial delegate, were also in attendance.
Since many delegates come to the city for the first time, there was a brief ‘City Sight Seeing’ after which the participants had cultural evening and fellowship dinner at Don Bosco School, Liluah in Howrah district. _________________
