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45 past pupils of Don Bosco Navajeevan (DBNJ) gathered at Don Bosco Rehabilitation, Ramanthapur (Hyderabad) premises for a day long get-together and sharing on 31 August 2014. Gracing the occasion were Fr Noel Maddhichetty SDB, SPCSA Secretary and Salesian Family National Coordinator, and Mr Ramesh Bojja, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana Alumni President. The occasion was also made colourful by the presence of four comedians of the Telugu feature film `Gabbarsingh` – Sai Baba, Bantu, Praveen Kumar and Ramesh.
The event commenced at 10.00 am wtih Fr Bellamkonda Sudhakar, Director of Don Bosco Navajeevan Homes in the Twin cities, welcoming the participants and guests of honour. In his words of welcome Fr Sudhakar said “Past pupils are the face of the Don Bosco`s values in the society. They carry the values of Don Bosco as they move around.“ He called on everyone to keep up Don Bosco`s ideals wherever they live.
The whole morning was filled with laughter as the comedy team of “Gabbarsingh“ movie entertained everyone with their jokes, dialogues, dances and funny comments. The best part of the programme was the sharing of their own life stories which were very inspiring for our children. It was surprising to know that none of them had passed class X and abut the types of works they had taken up for their survival before they were introduced into the movies. Each of them emphasized that, the children should make use of the opportunities provided for them at Don Bosco Navajeevan and be ambassadors of DBNJ in the society to encourage those who can support this noble cause.
At the afternoon session Fr Sudhakar introduced Fr Noel to the gathering saying that he was the founding director of DBNJ homes in the twin cities and that it was he who initiated services for children on the street and the young at risk there. Fr Noel animated them by sharing his experience as the national delegate for the Salesian Family. He asked them to keep in mind three things as they live in the society, namely, to be God fearing and honest citizens, to give identity to Don Bosco in ones profession and places of work, and to promote social solidarity. Fr Noel said that there are about 30 groups who form the Salesian Family and about 11 of them are working in India. He challenged all to make IMPOSSIBLE into I`M POSSIBLE.
During the business session the Council office bearers were re-elected: Mr G. Vishnu as president, Mr Micheal D`Souza as Vice President, Krishanmurthy as Secretary, John Paul as Treasurer, and Mr Feroz as Council Member. For the first time a registration fee of Rs 10 per person per year was proposed and collected. Mrs Rachal Chatarjee who is a friend of Navajeevan and Municipal Councillor also made a surprise visit and contributed Rs 1,000 for the alumni fund. They were very enthusiastic in planning for the coming year especially as the bicentenary celebrations of the birth of Don Bosco and Crystal Anniversary of Don Bosco Navajeevan, Hyderabad are going to be celebrated. The organizing team will communicate all the decisions and plans through Facebook. It was also decided that the office bearers would meet at least four times in a year.
Fr Sudhakar in his concluding message exhorted everyone to speak good of others and not to engage in gossip. That, he said, would be the best tribute they could give to Don Bosco during this bicentenary year. The re-union gathering came to an end with sharing of snacks and a friendly football match which ended in a draw.
