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The inauguration and blessing of the new Heidelberg Multi-Colour offset printing Machine SM 74-4 and a renovated Bro. Gabriel Fernandez Multi-Colour Training Block, a Unit of St Michael’s Boys’ Home, was held on the September 7, by Rt. Rev. Dr. GALI BALI, D.D., Bishop of Guntur Diocese, Sri. S. SURESH KUMAR, I.A.S., Collector & District Magistrate, Guntur and Prof. K. VIYYANNA RAO, M.Com., Ph.D., Vice-Chancellor, Acharya Nagarjuna University, Guntur in the presence of Rev. FR RAMINEDI BALARAJU, Salesian Provincial, Province of St Joseph, Hyderabad at Don Bosco Technical School Press, Ring Road, Guntur on Saturday at 10.30 am.
The Don Bosco Technical School Press has, since its inception in 1964, made giant strides in its technological transitions and advancement. It is reputed to be a dynamic printing and publishing house with the drive of introducing modern and state-of-the art print technology in the industry.
From its humble beginnings using the letterpress (linotype and monotype) type-setting in the printing and publishing business, it opened a new chapter in the printing and publishing industry as it became the first commercial printing training school in the town. What was striking with the introduction of the new technology was the institute with its training school acquiring a Multi-Colour offset machine Heidelberg SM 74-4 made up of a four-unit press and turned a new leaf in the 50 years of history at St Michael’s Boys’ Home, Guntur.
About 250 people gathered to witness the gift of this Multi-Color offset printing Machine SM 74-4. The event began with lighting of the lamp by the dignitaries Rt. Rev. Dr. GALI BALI, D.D., Bishop of Guntur Diocese, Sri. S. SURESH KUMAR, I.A.S., Collector & District Magistrate, Guntur, Prof. K. VIYYANNA RAO, M.Com., Ph.D., Vice-Chancellor, Acharya Nagarjuna University, Guntur, Rev. FR RAMINEDI BALARAJU, Salesian Provincial, Province of St Joseph, Hyderabad and Fr Chinnabathuni Louis Babu sdb, the rector of St Michael’s Boys‘ Home, Gutnur.
A general prayer service was conducted by Rev. Fr Melchior invoking God’s blessings for this event. One granite tablet out of two were unveiled by Fr Chinnabathuni Louis Babu sdb in honour of Bro. Gabriel Fernandez for his pioneering in printing technology and his humble beginnings using the letterpress (linotype and monotype) at Guntur and another granite tablet by Fr Thomas Santiagu sdb, the director of Bosco Seva Kendara (Province Development office, Hyderabad) in gratitude to German Ministry BMZ through Don Bosco Mondo, Bonn, Germany in giving the new offset printing machine.
In addition, a monument of Bro. Gabriel Fernandez was unveiled by the Rev. Bro. Soosai Dennis sdb (who worked tirelessly in the printing press in between 1980s and 1990s). The renovated Bro. Gabriel Fernandez Multi-Colour Training Block was blessed by Fr Chinnabathuni Louis which is dedicated to Bro. Gabriel Fernandez who served the press for 20 years and educated many a youth in the printing technology. As a sign of auspicious occasion in Indian tradition all the dignitaries broke the coconuts at the entrance. The said Multi-Colour training block was inaugurated by the Special Guest Prof. K. VIYYANNA RAO, M.Com., Ph.D., Vice-Chancellor, Acharya Nagarjuna University, Guntur through a ribbon cutting ceremony. The dignitaries led the large crowd to the printing cabin while Rev. FR RAMINEDI BALARAJU, the Provincial cut the ceremonial ribbon in a ritual manner and declared the press room open for improved training opportunities for the marginalized youth. The chief guest Rev. Dr. GALI BALI, D.D., Bishop of Guntur Diocese then blessed the machine through a formal blessing. During his message the Bishop congratulated the donors, management, staff and the students for receiving this machine and exhorted everyone to put this machine to its fullest capacity and train as many youth as possible in Multi-colour training after the heart of Don Bosco.
The guest of honour Sri. S. SURESH KUMAR, I.A.S., Collector & District Magistrate, Guntur switched on the machine while the other dignitaries, Priests and religious, well-wishers, printers, customers and onlookers watched a Multi-Colour title of the Recruiting Guide of Acharya Nagarjuna University being printed and everyone astounded its quality and precision. This Heidelberg SM 74-4 can print 13,500 copies per hour; print all the pages in full colour; the flexibility for printing colour on any page of the customer’s choice and can also print colour adverts in small sizes, unlike the previous single colour machines. The inaugural ceremony came to an end as all the invitees moved towards the auditorium for a short the cultural programme.
The cultural programme carried a prayer dance by Auxilium girls, Stamabalagaruvu, a prayer song by Don Bosco ITI boys, a dance by St Michael’s Boys, a Don Bosco Press Athem by the press students, a brief description about the Pilot project by Mrs Innyasamma, felicitations to the dignitaries and also to all the past managers and others who contributed for the development of the press. The collector in his message recognized the existence of the institute and its services by Don Bosco priests in the town for the past 50 years and commended the technological training offered for the poor students. He promised to refer any printing order to Don Bosco Press while congratulating in procuring the Multi-Colour printing machine.
Prof. K. VIYYANNA RAO, M.Com., Ph.D., Vice-Chancellor, Acharya Nagarjuna University, Guntur said that this is a mark of excellence in the arena printing technology in receipt of this machine that caters to training of youth in a better way and improving the quality of printing especially the tender work in printing and supply of study material of the Distance Education in the University and of the other six colleges on the campus. After this cultural programme a sumptuous lunch was served as a sign of thanksgiving and gratitude.
This pilot project was made possible only because of the generous help from BMZ – Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development, Germany through Don Bosco Mondo, Bonn Germany, facilitated by Mr Christian Osterhaus, Mrs. Silvia Cromm, Ms Margret, Mrs Susanne Arzt, Mr Roland and Fr Thomas Santiagu – Bosco Seva Kendra. The kind permission from Rev. Fr Provincial and his Councillors and support from Rev. Fr P. Jayapaul Reddy (the former Rector), Rev. Fr Louis Chinnabathuni, the present Rector, Rev. Fr Marneni Mariadas, Rev. Fr Melchior, constant prayers and hard work by the staff and students of Don Bosco Technical School Press, fraternal prop up from Sahayamatha Parish council members and some of the parishioners who helped materially to realize the dream.
Finally, a word of appreciation to the Heidelberg company, Germany and India for their partnership and consideration in the reduction of cost levels. Thanks to Rev. Bro. Gregory who was the chief master of ceremony and who led the inaugural ceremony as well as the cultural programme to its heights.
