BOSCO reinforces child protection in Bangalore Railway Station

Kolkata, Jul 21 . BANGALORE: A new child assistance centre was inaugurated in Bangalore Railway Station under the direction of Bangalore Oniyavara Seva Coota (BOSCO) on 9 July by Mr. Anil Kumar Agarwal, Divisional Railway Manager, Southern Western Railways. It was a long time wish for BOSCO that has been actualized by obtaining from the Railways a rent free space with adequate facilities for the rescued children in the platforms. BOSCO is a voluntary organization of the Salesians of Bangalore province working primarily for the rescue and rehabilitation of street, run away and working children in the city of Bangalore.  Read More »
Antony EARATHARA

Theologian and Salesian Priest Fr Sebastian Karotemprel Dies
Kolkata, Jul 20 . Shillong: Internationally renowned theologian, author and founder of several missionary institutions in Northeast India, Salesian Father Sebastian Karotemprel passed away in Shillong, Meghalaya, July 20. He was 83. The funeral will be held in Shillong, on July 23 at 1 p.m. Fr. George Maliekal sdb, Provincial Superior of the Salesian Province of Silchar to which Fr Karotemprel belonged, said Fr Sebastian has left his own indelible mark on the Church and society.  Read More »
Antony EARATHARA

Junior priests: from ``Maintenance mode`` to ``Mission Mode``
Guwahati, Jul 18 Thirty eight young priests from the provinces of Guwahati and Silchar met together at Siloam, Barapani for the Junior Priests` Meet from 14th to 16th July 2014. The young priests shared experiences of their priesthood and priestly ministry. The meeting was animated by Rev Fr. George Palamattam SDB, Director of Siloam, a Centre for Transformation and Leadership Resource.  Read More »
VADAKKEKARA Abhilash

Salesian College students shine at the International Service-Learning in Philippines
Kolkata, Jul 18 Four students from Salesian College Sonada participated in the International Conference and Service-Learning (ISL) programme under the theme ``Disaster Response, Community Resilience, and the Role of the University`` from 28th June to 11th July 2014 in Iloilo City, Philippines. The student representatives of Salesian College were Vikash Gupta, Naresh Agarwal, Snom Panlook and Ramachand Shimray. They were accompanied by Salesian Fr. Ujjol Mondol. Shimray shared the following account of their experience with BIS:  Read More »
Jacob IRUPPAKKATTU

Life time honour for serving Mising tribe
Guwahati, Jul 17 Jorhat -- Lolima, Sabitri, Kampo and Jyotsna, four tribal youth leaders working with a social entrepreneur who opted the cultural path for development of their tribe nestled in remote part of northeast India honoured him with a life time recognition ceremony reserved only for becoming totally integrated into the culture and psyche of the tribe and for his life time service. A member of the Salesian province of Dimapur Fr KA Thomas Kalapurackal (58 years) who has been working with the Mising tribe during the last 15 years, was surprised by the four ladies and their families with the josag ceremony and honours.  Read More »
Paul CHERUTHOTTUPURAM

Pope Francis Appoints Dr. Pudumai Doss SDB Consultor at the Congregation for Religious
Kolkata, Jul 16 . ROME - Dr. Jesu Pudumai Doss, a Salesian priest of Chennai province, was appointed Consultor of the Congregation for the Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life at the Vatican, by His Holiness Pope Francis, on 16th July 2014.  Read More »
Antony EARATHARA

The Court of Women - An Alternate Justice System Fighting Gender Violence
Hyderabad, Jul 14 The fourth coordination meeting of the Courts of Women took place in the last week of June for East Godavari District in Andhra Pradesh. More than 60 participants, mostly ICDS workers and NGO volunteers, gathered at Samarlakotta, East Godavari (Andhra Pradesh), to reflect on the rising incidence of violence against women and especially to explore an alternate justice system to address violence against women.  Read More »
Pallithanam Thomas

Karunapuram students donate blood to save lives
Hyderabad, Jul 09 The students of Vishwa Jyothi Don Bosco College, Karunapuram, in the Salesian Province of Hyderabad, joined in a blood donation drive aptly titled ``Donate Blood - Save Life`` on 8 July, 2014. The donation was made possible through the cooperation and collaboration of the Indian Red Cross Society, Warangal. 62 students of Philosophy donated their blood during the programme, most of whom were doing it for the first time in their life.  Read More »
Vincent Castilino

Skill Training Graduation Day for Sri Lankan Refugees
Tiruchy, Jul 08 The fourth batch of Sri Lankan Refugee Skill training has been completed and the Graduation Day was organized on 6 July 2014 at Don Bosco, Thanjaur. About 769 Sri Lankan Tamil refugee beneficiaries (both skill training and women welfare club beneficiaries) and 40 Priests and Staff members participated. Fr. Albert Johnson, sdb. the Provincial of Don Bosco Trichy province presided over the function.  Read More »
Thamburaj Vincent

Salesian Social Forum Sets New Goals in The Pope Francis Era
Hyderabad, Jul 06 After a gap of five years on 4-5 July 2014, the Salesians of Don Bosco of the Indian provinces came together again to confirm the relevance and urgency of their social ministry in the region. The meeting was held at Don Bosco Navajeevan Hyderabad, and attended by 13 stalwarts from the different parts of the country.  Read More »
John Tharakan