Mirik, 7 December 2025: On Sunday, 7 December 2025, thirteen lay faithful professed their promise as Salesian Cooperators for the very first time at St John Bosco Parish, Mirik. The solemn Eucharist was presided over by Fr Dr Tomy Augustine, Rector of Salesian College Siliguri and Provincial Council member, marking a landmark moment in the life of the parish and the wider Salesian family in North Bengal.
While Salesian Cooperators’ Kolkata provincial coordinator Mrs. Suma Thomas received the promise, Fr Mathew Pulingathil Rector and Parish Priest gave the Rules (PAL - Project of Apostolic Life).
The pioneering batch of newly professed Cooperators includes: Denis Lepcha, Canute Thapa, Deepen Dominic Gurung, La Tshering Lawrence Lepcha, Dinesh Panchal Subba, John Lepcha, Abhinandan William Subba, Eric Rai, Bhimba Philip Lepcha, Clara Lepcha, Medica Matilda Rai, Mrinal Arthur Rai, and Richard Tamang. Their commitment inaugurates a new chapter of lay collaboration with the charism of Don Bosco in Mirik.
In preparation for this historic day, Fr Tomy Augustine preached a recollection on Saturday, guiding the candidates through prayer, reflection, and the Sacrament of Reconciliation. His recollection talk offered spiritual depth and clarity, enabling the group to embrace their vocation with renewed conviction.
The Rector and Parish Priest of Don Bosco Mirik, Fr Dr Mathew Pulingathil, played a pivotal role in nurturing and accompanying the group throughout their journey of formation. His pastoral care and encouragement ensured that the Cooperators were well-prepared for their promise-taking day.
The profession of this first batch of Cooperators is a testimony to the vitality of the Salesian charism in the Hills. Their dedication to living the Gospel in the spirit of Don Bosco will enrich the mission of the Church and the Salesian family, especially in service to the young and the marginalized.
-CM Paul, SDB

KALIMPONG, 27 November 2025 – Don Bosco Technical School, Kalimpong, burst into celebration as it marked Trainees’ Day with vibrant energy and pride. The day-long programme kicked off with a solemn prayer service, followed by an inspiring welcome address from Rector Fr. Martin Lakra, SDB, who urged the trainees to seize every learning opportunity and commit themselves to hard work and excellence in their chosen trades.

The highlight of the event was a colourful display of talent and technical prowess. Trainees enthralled the audience with lively songs, energetic dances, and impressive live demonstrations of the skills they have acquired. From welding and electrical work to automotive and carpentry exhibits, the presentations reflected months of dedicated training under the guidance of skilled instructors. The trainers lauded the creativity, confidence, and professionalism shown by the young participants.

The celebration concluded on a high note with the distribution of prizes to the outstanding performers, followed by a heartfelt vote of thanks to the management, staff, and trainees for their collective effort. Trainees’ Day 2025 not only provided a platform to celebrate achievement but also reaffirmed Don Bosco Kalimpong’s mission of forming competent, confident, and value-driven youth ready to contribute to society.

DHAKA, 28 November 2025 – In a moment of profound joy for the Catholic Church in Bangladesh, Rev. Sentu Lawrance Biswas SDB was ordained a priest on Friday at St. John Bosco Church, Moushair, Uttara, Dhaka. The ordination was conferred by Most Rev. James Romen Boiragi DD, Bishop of Khulna, for the Salesian Province of Kolkata (INB). With this sacred rite, Fr. Sentu becomes only the third Bangladeshi Salesian priest in the country’s history, marking a significant milestone for the local Church and the Salesian family.

The celebration drew Salesian representatives from India, including Fr. Provincial Joseph Pauria SDB, Fr. Bikash Mondal SDB (Youth Director & Vocation Promoter), Br. Johny SDB, and Fr. Nirmal Toppo SDB (Director, Nitika Don Bosco Studio). The following day, 29 November, Fr. Sentu celebrated his First Thanksgiving Mass at Our Lady of Holy Rosary Church in his hometown of Shimulia, Jessore, Khulna. Before offering the Eucharist, the newly ordained priest paused to pray at the graves of his departed loved ones, a moving gesture of gratitude and remembrance.

Echoing the words of Our Lady, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word” (Lk 1:38), Fr. Sentu begins his priestly ministry under the protection of Mary Help of Christians and St. John Bosco, with a special mission to bring Christ’s love to the young people of Bangladesh. The entire Church in the country rejoices and prays for his fruitful service ahead.

Krishnagar, 14 November 2025: A twelve-member delegation from the Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) – six representatives from America and Canada and six from MCC India – visited Don Bosco Technical Institute, Krishnagar on 14th November 2025.

The team thoroughly inspected the institute’s infrastructure, laboratories, educational facilities, and job placement records. They also held direct interactions with students benefiting from MCC scholarships.

The visitors expressed deep satisfaction with the scholarship support and its visible impact. Following the tour and student feedback session, the delegation conveyed strong optimism for approving the institute’s upcoming fourth project.

Kolkata/New Delhi, 17 November 2025: At 80 years young, Rev. Fr. Scaria Nedumattathil SDB continues to add glorious chapters to a lifetime dedicated to the forgotten and the fallen.

The All India Council of Human Rights, Liberties and Social Justice (AICHLS) has unanimously selected him for the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award for Prison Reforms with Compassion — the latest in a long line of national and international recognitions for the Founder Director of Don Bosco Prison Ministry (DBPM).

This new honour joins an already illustrious list:

• 2015: Salesian Rector Major Paschal Chávez Award for Innovative Ministry (global Salesian recognition)
• 2022: Felicitated during Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav by the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR), Kolkata
• 2025: Nominated for Lifetime Achievement Award for Prison Reforms with Compassion

What began in 1995 with a single visit to Berhampore Central Correctional Home has, under Fr. Scaria’s quiet yet unstoppable leadership, grown into one of India’s most powerful movements of mercy:

• Vocational training centres inside prisons
• World’s first government-recognized motor driving school within prison walls
• Legal aid, counselling, and post-release rehabilitation that has restored thousands of lives across West Bengal, Jharkhand, and Bihar

Even today, from the Human Resource Development Centre at Dhobasole, West Midnapore — an area once torn by militancy — Fr. Scaria continues to build hope, educate children, and prove that no land or heart is beyond redemption.

The award will be conferred on 10 December 2025 at the 15th International Human Rights Summit & Awards at India Islamic Cultural Centre, New Delhi, on International Human Rights Day.

Siliguri, 16 November 2025 — The second day of Rozgar Mela 2.0 at Salesian College Siliguri unfolded as a landmark in the institution’s journey of linking education with opportunity. The presence of West Bengal Governor Dr. C.V. Anand Bose lent both dignity and momentum to the initiative, as he personally handed over job appointment letters to selected candidates. The event was organized by the Darjeeling Welfare Society under the leadership of its President and Rajya Sabha Member Harsh Vardhan Shringla, in collaboration with Salesian College. 

The programme was graced by the distinguished presence of Jalpaiguri MP Dr. Jayanta Kumar Roy and Bagdogra MLA Anandamay Barman, alongside the Governor, affirming their collective commitment to youth empowerment and regional development. The scale of the Rozgar Mela was unprecedented: over 2,100 young people received their job letters from some 60 companies that turned up to recruit. This remarkable outcome demonstrated the tangible impact of collaboration between educational institutions, civil society, and industry partners. 

In his address, Governor Bose hailed the Rozgar Mela as “a timely bridge between education and opportunity,” urging young graduates to embrace skill, resilience, and ethical values as the cornerstones of their professional journey.  

Rajya Sabha MP Harsh Vardhan Shringla emphasized the importance of sustained collaboration, noting that initiatives like Rozgar Mela 2.0 ensure that the aspirations of young people are met with real opportunities. 

Speaking on behalf of the college, Principal Dr. Fr. Babu Joseph remarked: “Rozgar Mela 2.0 is not just about placements; it is about instilling confidence in our youth that their education has meaning and direction. We are proud to partner with civil society and government leaders in creating pathways that transform lives.” 

For Salesian College, the Governor’s visit was both an endorsement and an inspiration. It reaffirmed the institution’s mission to empower students not only with knowledge but with opportunities that transform lives. As Rozgar Mela 2.0 concluded its second day, the campus resonated with pride and purpose—education, values, and opportunity converging to shape a brighter tomorrow.

Siliguri, 15 November 2025: Salesian College (Autonomous) Siliguri today hosted the inauguration of Rozgar Mela 2.0, a two-day employment and skills fair that seeks to empower the youth of North Bengal and the Northeast with opportunities for career advancement and skill development.
The initiative is spearheaded by the Darjeeling Welfare Society (DWS) under the leadership of Shri Harsh Vardhan Shringla, Member of Parliament (Rajya Sabha) and Founder-President of DWS. Building on the success of Rozgar Mela 1.0 held in Darjeeling in November 2023, this second edition expands its reach to Siliguri, a strategic hub for education and commerce.
In his inaugural address, Shri Shringla emphasized the importance of creating bridges between employers and job seekers, highlighting the role of such platforms in fostering regional development. The Mela is designed to cover a population base of over two crores, with a literacy rate above 75 percent, ensuring large-scale participation from educated youth.
Rozgar Mela 2.0 was publicly notified on 17 September 2025, coinciding with the 75th birthday of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, underscoring the national commitment to youth empowerment and employment generation.
The Mela is expected to serve not only as an employment drive but also as a celebration of youth potential, regional collaboration, and institutional partnership.
The two-day fair continues until 16 November 2025, offering a vibrant platform for aspirants to connect with employers, explore skill-building programs, and chart pathways into meaningful work.
- SCSC Correspondent

Kolkata, November 7 — The Don Bosco Alumni Association Kolkata is emerging as a powerful model for community outreach and social service, driven by the collective goodwill of its past pupils. Led by President Mr. Vikash Kumar Choraria and Secretary Mr. Manishankar Das, the association has significantly scaled its efforts to serve the marginalized and strengthen the global Bosco fraternity.

Among its key initiatives is Bosco on Wheels, a bi-monthly flagship program where a mobile food van distributes approximately 400 freshly prepared meals, including over 2,000 rotis, to beneficiaries at hospitals and settlement camps. Members personally serve the needy, addressing hunger among the poor.

The unit also addresses medical needs through Bosco Cares, a monthly full-scale clinic held at the school premises. Managed by alumni doctors, the clinic provides free consultations, medicines, and discounted diagnostics to over 100 patients monthly.

Beyond local service, the association fosters global and professional collaboration. DB Global connects past pupils through 16 active chapters worldwide, while Bosco Connects offers mutual assistance, providing support across various fields including employment, business guidance, academic help, and crisis intervention.

The alumni unit also continues its longstanding commitment to community outreach, which includes the 27-year-old Adult Literacy Project empowering underprivileged young women with education and vocational skills. This is complemented by regular Blood Donation Camps and specialized Free Eye and Osteoporosis Camps, which provide free check-ups and surgeries for the economically disadvantaged.

The Don Bosco Alumni Association Kolkata demonstrates how organized effort and collective goodwill can translate into sustained and meaningful social change.
- Rajesh Gupta, Former Vice President of Don Bosco Alumni, International 

Kolkata, November 10 — Archbishop Elias Frank of Calcutta made a significant pastoral visit to the Salesian Provincial House at Nitika Don Bosco, Kolkata, on 10 November, affirming strong ties and collaboration between the Archdiocese and the Salesian Family. The visit, which included vespers and a fraternal meal, brought together Salesians and three members of the Archbishop’s curia.

Archbishop Frank, a one-time Salesian aspirant, held a private meeting with the Provincial, Rev. Fr. Joseph Pauria, establishing a tone of mutual respect and pastoral partnership.

Addressing the assembled Salesians, the Archbishop spoke of the heavy responsibilities of his ministry and expressed gratitude for the fraternity experienced among them. Recognizing the Salesians’ expertise in catechesis and youth formation, he specifically invited their assistance in developing pastoral content and modules for catechetical and liturgical renewal.

The Archbishop stressed the critical need to engage students in Classes 11 and 12 on vital topics like friendship, relationships, and marriage as a preventative measure. He also shared his vision to empower capable laity to lead youth ministry initiatives, allowing priests to focus more on prayer and sacramental life—a synodal vision promoting shared leadership.

The evening concluded with a fraternal dinner, reinforcing the shared mission of the diocesan and Salesian communities in revitalizing faith formation and service in Kolkata.
-Fr. Soroj Mullick, SDB

OODALABARI, November 12 — Don Bosco School, Oodlabari, celebrated a significant educational milestone today with the launch of Footsteps, a series of two new value-based textbooks for Classes 9 and 10. Authored by Fr. (Dr.) Aju Kurian, the books aim to guide young learners toward moral integrity, emotional maturity, and social responsibility.

The formal release was conducted by Rev. Fr. John Selvan, SDB, during a ceremony attended by over 1,200 students, faculty, and dignitaries. The first copies were symbolically received by representatives of the teaching faculty and student community, including Rev. Fr. Sunit Kiro, SDB, and student Sivani Bajar.

Addressing the audience, author Fr. (Dr.) Aju Kurian emphasized the power of dedication: "Anything can be accomplished with focus, commitment, and perseverance. When every moment is utilized purposefully, even challenges can be transformed into opportunities for growth and achievement." He urged students to cultivate discipline and determination, stressing that success is the product of consistent effort, not chance.

Dr. Kurian also thanked the school for its support, reaffirming that the Footsteps series is designed to foster holistic growth through engaging, thought-provoking lessons. The launch underscores Don Bosco Oodlabari’s enduring commitment to comprehensive, values-driven education.
-CM Paul, SDB