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24 June 2021, Hyderabad: The Past Pupils of Don Bosco from all over the world celebrated the 150th anniversary from the founding moment of association of Past Pupils on 24th of June 2020. However, the province of Hyderabad celebrated the event, marking the completion of the anniversary of Past Pupils of Don Bosco via virtual platform on 24 June 2021 on the name feast of Don Bosco. Father Garlapati Michael Kishore, sdb, the delegate of the Past Pupils welcomed and felicitated Father Thathireddy Vijaya Bhaskar, sdb, Provincial. Mr Prasad, the president of state federation convened the virtual meet and the celebrations. There were representatives from 9 Don Bosco Past Pupils Units of Telangana, Andhra Pradesh and South Odisha States while 42 participants actively participated in the meet along with Salesian representatives Brother Gregory Chinnabathuni, sdb and Father Baly Yerramaneni, sdb. The president of every unit briefly marked out the activities of their units especially during these pandemic times. They appreciated the works of the Salesians and expressed their willingness to carry out the charism of Don Bosco. Some of the yeomen services and creative interventions by the Past Pupils units were emergency ambulance in need in Mangalagiri during Covid, scholarship facility for the poor students in Patsala Tadaiparru and livelihood aid in Ravulapalem etc. It was also noticed that most of the units are active with their activities while, as some units need strengthening and encouragement.
The past pupil’s federation welcomed idea of adopting 15 orphaned children who lost their parents due to covid-19 pandemic and decided to help them as initial objective in order to have a secure future. It is also scheduled to ensure that all children who have lost both parents, the surviving parent, legal guardians or adoptive parents to Covid-19 could receive financial assistance under the PM-CARES for Children’s scheme during second wave of pandemic.
Father Provincial recalled the origins of Past Pupils of Don Bosco. In 1870, Carlo Gastini and his fellow past pupils of Valdocco came to Don Bosco to congratulate him on his feast day on 24th of June. Instantly, Don Bosco invited them to stay with him as a part of the Salesian Family. He also said that the prime responsibility of the Past Pupils is to take care their own families while living out the values of family life and caring for the semi orphaned and orphaned children of the past pupils in their need.
Father Garlapati Michael Kishore, the delegate, expressed that one could see and live after 150 years the dreams of Don Bosco for his Past Pupils. He wished that this important day and following Jubilee year of Past Pupils will enrich the Salesian Family and every life of Past Pupils and Friends of Don Bosco.
At the end, Mr Pamisetty Balaswamy, the secretary of the State Federation proposed vote of thanks and thanked everyone who made these virtual celebrations come alive. Mr Balashowry from Guntur Past Pupils Unit presented the printed Cups. The celebrations ended with a cutting of the cake by the Hyderabad Past Pupils Unit. Father Provincial concluded the meeting with a solemn blessing.
