Kolkata, March 31, 2025 - Thirty-seven Salesians from across Bangladesh, Nepal, New Delhi, and West Bengal converged at Bandel Basilica for their annual spiritual retreat from March 25-31. The six-day gathering aimed to rejuvenate the spiritual journey of the participants.

Fr. Philip Barjo, the retreat preacher, led the Salesians through profound reflections on the Jubilee Year, Don Bosco's teachings, devotion to Mother Mary, and Pope Francis's Lenten messages. The participants also received spiritual guidance, preparing them for the Sacrament of Confession.

In his concluding remarks, Fr. Barjo emphasized three guiding principles for the Salesians to embody in their mission: being men of prayer, embracing Don Bosco's charism, and pursuing inner renewal.

As the Salesians return to their respective missions, they carry with them a renewed sense of purpose and spiritual vigor.

Kolkata, March 19, 2025 - Don Bosco Technical Institute (DBTI), Park Circus, marked a significant milestone in its history, celebrating its Diamond Jubilee and hosting the 7th National Auto Tech Fest. The six-decade journey of DBTI has been a testament to its commitment to excellence in technical education.

The 7th National Auto Tech Fest, held from March 17-19, 2025, brought together 15 institutes from across India, with 4 trainees and 1 instructor participating from each. The event featured 9 technical competitions, designed to test the trainees' knowledge and problem-solving abilities in various automotive sectors. Don Bosco Kalimpong claimed the overall champion title, while DBTI Park Circus secured the runner-up position.

The Diamond Jubilee celebration, held on March 19, 2025, commemorated 60 years of DBTI's excellence in technical education. The institute's journey began in 1965, operating from the second floor of Don Bosco School, before moving to its own dedicated building in 1980. The celebration kicked off with a Eucharistic celebration presided over by His Grace Thomas D'Souza, Archbishop of Kolkata.

The event was graced by Mrs. Barbara Voss, Consul General of Germany in Kolkata, symbolizing DBTI's strong international ties. Other distinguished guests included His Grace Archbishop Thomas D'Souza, Mr. Tom Reiner, Regional Director of the Indo-German Chamber of Commerce, and Mr. Viond Kulkarni, Head CSR, Tata Motors.

A special highlight of the event was the felicitation of past Rectors and Principals, honoring their immense contributions to DBTI's growth and legacy. The celebration also featured a vibrant cultural program, showcasing the talents of DBTI students.

As DBTI looks to the future, it reaffirms its commitment to shaping the future of technical education. With a legacy built on innovation, excellence, and community service, DBTI is poised to continue empowering the next generation of skilled professionals.

In his concluding remarks, Fr. Jose Podimattam, Principal of DBTI, stated, "As we celebrate the diamond jubilee of our institute, we honor the milestones that have shaped our journey thus far. Yet, we recognize that this is not the summit. The laurels of our past achievements inspire us, but they do not define us. With greater heights to conquer and new horizons to explore, our journey continues with renewed purpose and determination."
Fr. Jose, SDB

Sonada, April 6, 2025 -  Two awareness camps on child rights and protection of children were organized on 06 April,  2025 at Lower  and Upper Cedar, villages situated  about 9 k.m from Salesian college,  Sonada. The Youth Department of the college in collaboration with Project Missio undertook the organization of this all important and very significant knowledge sharing camp.

The event was attended by approximately 50 participants - men, women, boys, girls, and children. The workshop at Lower Cedar began at 9:00 am with introductory words by Fr. Clement Lakra, the Youth Animator, who also welcomed the resource person, Sr. Claret Lepcha SJC, an expert in the field of child rights with over 25 years of dedicated service and experience and currently working as the Chairperson of  Child Welfare Committee of the government of W. Bengal, Darjeeling-Kalimpong district. The session at Upper Cedar was held in the afternoon.

Sr. Claret presented a comprehensive interactive session covering the fundamental rights of children, the various forms of violence they face, and emphasized the importance of the law of the land, Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO)  in safeguarding these rights. Sr. Claret also discussed the pivotal role of community in preventing child abuse at the village and individual levels. The programme concluded at 4:45 pm with a feedback session, where the majority of the participants expressed their appreciation for  the very informative and much relevant session.

Mr. J.B Rai, a parent representative from Lower Cedar expressed his sentiments at the end of the session stating, “This is really an important session for all, especially for the parents as we become aware of the possible dangers our children are constantly exposed to.  This type of programme should be organized often.” Pari Chetri, a girl from Lower Cedar also shared her feelings, “It was very informative as it helped to become aware of our rights. We need to stay alert always.”

The programme concluded with the distribution of snacks, and the participants were happy to be informed and conscientized on the rights of the children.

Cl. Clement Lakra SDB

Sonada, March 30, 2025:  The brothers from Salesian College Sonada in collaboration with the Village Elders Association of Balasun organized the Annual Sports’ Day on 30 March, 2025 at Balasun Football Gound for the young people of seven surrounding villages.

The programme started at 10:00 am with the registration. S.K Chamling, the president of the Village Elders Association delivered the welcome speech which was followed by khada arpan ceremony to all the esteemed guests of the day - Umesh Agarwal, Manager of Balasun Tea Estate, and Pemba Tamang, the Panchayat President. Br. Samuel Salahe SDB, sang a song to set the tune for the day. After the national anthem Br. Kushal Kami SDB, introduced the programme of the day highlighting the basic rules and regulations of the competitions.

The various events were categorized under junior and senior sections. Each event was organized separately for boys and girls. Dances and other entertaining items were interspersed with sports events to give time to relax and lighten the atmosphere filled with competitive spirit.  Fifty-five young people from seven villages participated in the sports.  

Mr. S.K Chamling, the president of the association while addressing the gathering acknowledged the good and effective initiatives taken by the brothers for the welfare of the young people.  He encouraged them to initiate more such activities to help the young from rural settings to develop their hidden and untapped potential. Niraj Mukhia, a youth from Mali Busty, spoke of the day saying, “It’s a wakeup call for me, to furthermore explore my potentialities and to build up a good foundation for further growth”. As the programme came to a closure all the participants received a medal each and the champion’s trophy was lifted by Lower Balasun.   The day came to a grand finale with fellowship gathering around a cup of Darjeeling Tea.

Br. Abhay Dungdung SDB, the general coordinator of the entire programme expressing his great satisfaction said, “The young people of these villages gave us such a wonderful opportunity to reach out to them and serve them the Don Bosco way.  It’s a small step in our learning to be with the young”.

Cl. Octopaul Marbaniang SDB

Sonada, March 28, 2025: Salesian College, Sonada organized the annual Salesian Fiesta, an inter-school event, on 28th March 2025, when nearly 300 senior school students from 10 schools came together to celebrate art, culture and talents. 
The event began with the inaugural ceremony in the college auditorium, where the organizers set the tone for the entire day. Welcoming the participants, Fr. Johny Nedungatt, the Rector said, “We are here to celebrate our hope through the expression of art, culture and talents”. A special guest performance by the college alumnus Diwakar Khawas added to the event’s grandeur, captivating the audience with his melodious and soulful songs. As a mark of respect and gratitude, khada was presented to the teacher representatives from various schools.

 
Following the opening ceremony, the students participated in a variety of events held at different venues across the College Campus. The atmosphere of festive outdoor setting where food stalls and a variety of games organized by the students of the College, created an engaging and joy-filled  environment for all.  The events reached the high point at  2:00 PM when all the participants gathered again in the auditorium for the  prize distribution ceremony, where each school’s achievements were duly recognized.

A teacher representative from St. Michael School, Darjeeling, expressed his happiness with the programme stating, “We are very happy to participate in this programme and we have learned so much from it,” which resonated with the collective sentiment of the day. 

Feedback from students as well highlighted the event’s success. Abhiyan Thapa from Ruhiyyih School, Jorebungalow commented, “It was a learning experience for me and  I also enjoyed.” Another student , Parijat Chettri from St. Anthony School, Kurseong added, “ Overall, it was good. The hosting of the programme was well managed.”

The festivities concluded with vote of thanks by the chief coordinator, Miss. Ashwini Tamang, who acknowledged the collaborative efforts of the faculty and students that made the event a huge success. The closing performance by Backlash Band, followed by DJ Lazy Soul, left a lasting impression on everyone, encapsulating the spirit of learning and enjoyment.

Cl. Clement Soren SDB

Kolkata, March 19, 2025 — Fr. Peter Vincent Lourdes, a pioneering Salesian priest and one of India’s first priest psychologists, celebrated his 100th birthday today at Nitika Don Bosco, Kolkata, marking a century of remarkable service in counseling, spiritual direction, and education. The centenarian priest, who made his religious profession on December 6, 1944, and was ordained on December 5, 1954, continues to inspire with his resilience, having beaten COVID-19 at 94 and hoisted the Tricolour on Independence Day 2020 before leaving Fortis Hospital.

Fr. Lourdes boasts an illustrious career spanning over 50 years, with advanced degrees including a D. Psych in Clinical Psychology from Salesian University, Rome, a Masters in Somatic Psychology from California Institute of Integral Studies, San Francisco, and a PhD in Counselling Psychology from Loyola University, Chicago. A Salesian College alumnus, Mr. Devasia, said, “His classes on psychology were the most sought after and fruitful,” reflecting the impact of his tenure as Programme Director and Head of the Psychology Department at National Vocation Service Centre, Pune, and as the inaugural President of the Salesian Psychological Association. Currently, he maintains a psychotherapy practice in Kolkata.

His academic and literary contributions include popular books like The Human Face of Clergy (1997), Wow Jesus! (2014), and The Clash (2016), the latter exploring the intersection of Transcendental Meditation and counseling psychology. A certified massage therapist from the San Francisco School of Massage Therapy, Fr. Lourdes also brought a unique somatic perspective to his work.

Born in 1925, Fr. Lourdes was among the first students at Don Bosco School, Liluah, in 1937, later returning as a brother and rector. Fr. Sanjay Manohar Kujur, Rector of Don Bosco Liluah, noted, “Rev. Fr. Peter Vincent Lourdes was the 1st amongst the students to be admitted at our DBL ..way back in 1937, when it opened the gates....Roll Nos. 28, He later came back as a brother, Dean of Studies and Headmaster of DBL.” He served as principal of Salesian College Sonada from 1967 to 1970 and was a visiting faculty member at Sadhana Institute, Lonavla, and Sumedha Centre from 2003 to 2014. His 60th ordination anniversary and 70th religious profession anniversary were celebrated in 2014.

Today’s milestone underscores his enduring legacy as a priest, educator, and healer.

Sonada, March 23, 2025  The Youth Department of Salesian College Sonada, in collaboration with Missio, organized a workshop titled ‘Young Leaders in the world of Social Media’  intending to develop in the  young leadership qualities in using media. Some 60 young leaders  from 16 villages surrounding the college  participated in the event. 

The day’s programme began with lighting of the lamp and words of welcome by the Rector, Fr. Johny Nedungatt SDB, emphasizing the positive role that social media can play when used responsibly. Fr. Arvind Khalkho SDB, Assistant Professor of Salesian College, Siliguri was the resource person of the day.  His presentation was centered on the theme that the young people are to become leaders rather than servants of social media.

 
Dividing the participants into groups named after popular social media platform such as YouTube, Twitter, WhatsApp, Facebook, and Instagram, Fr. Arvind brought to light the stark reality of the significant amount of time spent unproductively by young people on social media by projecting the researched data. He also exhorted them to become creators and not mere consumers of social media.
During the second session, the groups identified various social issues faced in their local communities, including water shortage, inadequate roads, and lack of proper transportation etc. Each group then explained one by one the issues they had noted. The session that followed lunch focused on creative expressions of these social issues by writing scripts about them and producing short videos. This activity not only deepened their understanding of these challenges but also equipped them with creative tools to advocate change.

On asking about her experience of the event, Miss. Safalta Lepcha of Rungmuk said, “The programme was very nice, practical, and informative. We learned new things and were introduced to a new way of thinking, and it was fun to do the activities together in a group. Overall, the programme was both enjoyable and helpful.”

Another participant Naina Bhitrikoti from the township of Sonada expressed, “It was an amazing session. The speaker was very engaging and the topic was incredibly relevant. It really made us aware how to use social media wisely. We Look forward to such events in future.”

The workshop concluded with vote of thanks delivered by Alisha Lepcha from the township of Sonada.  A token of appreciation was given to each group for its active participation. Fr. Clement Lakra SDB, the coordinator of the programme extended his sincere thanks to the youth for their enthusiastic participation, and the resource person for his insightful sessions and availability. The event was further enriched by an entertaining moment led by the students of the College, leaving the participants inspired and motivated to bring about positive social change.

Cl. Clement Soren SDB

Sonada, March 16, 2025:  The brothers from Salesian College Sonada organized a full day work camp on 16 March, 05 at Sri Satya Sai Academy, Primary School, Upper Cedar. The camp was an expression of ‘works of mercy’ which Christians are exhorted to engage in  during the season of Lent.

Upper Cedar, is one of the vibrant youth centers of Salesian College Sonada. It has a population  500 families, hailing from different faiths.  The people, in general, are very welcoming and open to the weekly outreach programmes rendered by the brothers. The main work for the day was to demolish the old school building and level the ground to create space for extracurricular activities. The existing primary school has a strength of  40 students, ranging from nursery to class four, with seven teachers.

Upon reaching the school, Mr. Pranay Sarki, the Headmaster, welcomed warmly the work force of 26 brothers, including some of the Claretians. He gave a short instruction before the work began. The headmaster and three more teachers joined the workforce to demolish the old building.

By the end of the day the target of the work camp was achieved. The Headmaster had only words of appreciation for the brothers. He said,  “This is the happiest day for me personally, for the school and for the our village. We will benefit greatly from the hard work and the sacrifice rendered by the brothers. Thank you for your support.” Ms. Sayari Rai, one of the teachers, described day as, “A day where I know that some people are still ready to support us, help us in our task to develop a bright future for our children of this locality. Thank you to Salesian College Sonada and to all the brothers.”

As the camp wounded up, Br. Jacob Rai SDB, the leader of the work camp, expressed their gratitude to the residents of the village for allowing them to extend a helping hand to them.  As a final message he said, “We can do much good in society if we are ready to give a helping when someone is in need”

Sonada, March 10, 2025:  Salesian College Sonada celebrated International Women’s Day on 10 March, 2025 by a short Open Mic Session where the Women Faculty and Support Staff were felicitated  and some of the students could voice their thoughts and feelings.

Introducing the programme of the day, the anchor Ms Anjana Rai said, “A warm welcome to today’s Open Mic, celebrating the power, resilience, and voice of women.”

“Beyond celebrating external achievements, this day is also about recognizing the inner power that every woman carries – the strength of her mind, the wisdom of her heart and the light of her soul” were words of  Ms. Shreha Agarwal, the Coordinator of the Women’s cell in the college. 

The vice-principal, Dr. Jose Puthenpurackel SDB felicitated the women faculty and support staff with a rose flower, specially imported for the occasion.   
The Rector, Fr. Johny Nedungatt SDB, while felicitating the women faculty and staff  referred to the flagship campaign of the Government, Betti Bachao, Betti Padhao which remains as a slogan while many a girl child experience the near impossible situation of finding her way to the school.  There is much more to be done to make the voice of women heard, said the Rector referring to some of the incidents he has personally witnessed. 

As the Open Mic Session progressed some of the students voiced their concern about the present scenario in the country. Ms Aanchal Laver, a second year student from the Department of Commerce,  in addressing the audience said, “But I say to you, women are not bitter because they’re inherently flawed.  Women are bitter because they’ve been forced to endure centuries of oppression, marginalization, and silencing. Let us make a change. Let us start by loving and supporting each other.  Let us celebrate our strengths, our resilience, and our determination… together we can create a world that is more just, more equitable and more loving.”

Sr. Elina Minj FMA, a third year student from the English Department, referring to her personal experience spoke eloquently on the power of women to rise up to any occasion. 

The day’s programme was a fitting tribute and recognition of the women in our society, and a powerful witnessing of who they can be and become.

Fr. Johny Nedungatt SDB

 

Sonada, February 22: The brothers of Salesian College Sonada went on a fun and refreshing picnic to Indreni Waterfall.  The trekking to the waterfall took about one hour and forty minutes. 

Indreni Waterfall, also known as Rainbow Waterfall is a scenic waterfall near Sonada, Darjeeling.  It is located, Kalej Valley Tea Estate, about 8.5 km from the college and is famous for the rainbow-like formations crated by the sunlight hitting the falling water.  The area is surrounded by lush forests and tea gardens, making it a beautiful offbeat destination for nature lovers. 

When the brothers  reached the Waterfall, they were amazed by its beauty and were busy taking photos with the stunning waterfall in the background. “It is nature in pristine form” were the words overheard from some nature lover in the group. At noon, they had  an exciting game of bingo with envious prizes, which everyone enjoyed. Soon after the bingo, Fr. Anjulus, the bursar, brought the much awaited delicious meal from the college.

Bro. Abhay expressing his excitement and  joy at the sight of the cascading waterfall,  said, “In my stay here at Salesian College Sonada for the past five years, I never knew this place  ever existed.”

After lunch, we had a fun dance session to relax and enjoy the moment. The picnic ended with everyone heading back to the community, carrying happy memories of the day.

The trip to Indreni Waterfall was a wonderful break, bringing a change from the routine classes and other day to day activities.