MINISTRIES

Sonada, 11 October, 2026 - The Youth Department of Salesian College, Sonada, organised Bosco Utsav 2026 on 12 October 2026, bringing together nearly 450  young people from twenty six youth centres across the three regions of Dilaram, Barima and Sonada. 

This annual event was organised for the benefit and enjoyment of young people, providing them with a platform to showcase their talents, develop their confidence and build a spirit of unity and friendship. The participants belonged to youth centres where the brothers from the philosophate go for their youth ministry every Sunday.

The day began with the registration of participants from, followed by the inaugural programme  which consisted of  the traditional lighting of the ceremonial lamp and an opening dance performed by the young people themselves. 

The guests and chief guest were welcomed with traditional khadas by Fr. Bernard Mardi SDB, in charge of youth ministry in the college. This was followed by paying homage to Don Bosco by the Rector, Fr. Johny Nedungatt SDB, who in his message to the young people reminded them of the need to learn to integrate failures into life.  Giving examples of great leaders he stressed the importance of learning to  give space for disappointments in one’s personal life. 

Bosco Utsav 2026 featured fifteen events, conducted simultaneously or in different time slots throughout the day. The competitions included cultural dance, quiz, face-off dance, singing competition, ramp walk and several other activities. Each participant was permitted to take part in any two events of their choice. Following the inauguration, the youth moved to their respective venues and participated in the events with great energy, enthusiasm and sportsmanship.

After the morning events, lunch was provided for all the registered participants. The afternoon session continued with the remaining competitions and activities, bringing the day's events closer to their conclusion. Once all the competitions were completed, the participants gathered again in the auditorium for the announcement of the winners. Trophies and certificates were awarded to the successful participants. Maharani Youth Centre emerged as the overall winner of Bosco Utsav 2026, bagging the overall championship trophy.

The event also provided an opportunity for participants to share their experiences. Samden Tamang from Gorabari Youth Centre said, "I felt great and enjoyed the programme fully; the programme was very good for the young people." Alina Thapa from Maharani said, "The programme was wonderful although I felt a bit nervous during the events but altogether it was a wonderful experience." Similarly, Subhawana Kahwas from Gairigaon shared, “It was an amazing experience, as I learned many new things and got the opportunity to develop my confidence. I hope that such programmes will continue in the future.”

The programme concluded with vote of thanks by Br. Amos Lepcha, who acknowledged the contributions and cooperation of everyone involved.  Sipping a cup of tea around 4:15 p.m., the participants gradually returned for their respective villages.

Bosco Utsav 2026 was the best gift the young Salesians of the philosophate could give to the young people of Darjeeling hills.  The active participation of the youth and the dedicated collaboration of the Salesian brothers and organisers contributed greatly to its success. The day also served as an on-the-job-training programme for the brothers to acquire the skills to work for and with young people. 

• - Br. Lamkupar Nonglang SDB

The Salesian Youth Movement (SYM), Kolkata Province, held a three-day Leaders and Animators Formation (LAF) Programme from September 5 to 7 at Don Bosco Nitika, bringing together youth leaders and animators from the Salesian Provinces of Kolkata, Delhi and Hyderabad.

The programme opened with Holy Mass presided over by Fr Sunil Kerketta SDB, Provincial of Kolkata, following morning prayer. Fr Alfred Paul SDB, Youth Delegate of Kolkata, welcomed the participants with the traditional “Uttorio.”

The first day focused on Salesian youth leadership and spirituality. Fr Patrick Lepcha SDB, South Asia Delegate for Youth Ministry, led a session on the Salesian Youth Movement and spirituality, followed by an exchange of best practices among youth groups from the three provinces. Fr Saroj Mullick SDB and Mr Ayush Raj Mathew conducted sessions on faith formation for young people and media skills for leadership, respectively. The day concluded with a reflection on “Hearing the Voice of God” by Fr Tushar Gomes SDB and a cultural evening that highlighted the participating provinces’ traditions.

The second day featured a Hindi Holy Mass presided over by Fr Deepak Kindo SDB, Youth Director of Delhi Province. Formation sessions addressed youth as agents of change, artificial intelligence, entrepreneurship and the vocational dimension of young people. Adoration and Confession offered participants spiritual renewal.

An evaluation and way-forward session, facilitated online by Fr Alfred Paul, identified concrete lines of action for youth groups. The valedictory function distributed certificates and souvenirs to youth leaders, while presenting special centenary mementoes to youth animators and directors of the three provinces. A family get-together followed, marking the programme’s closing moments and shared fellowship.

The final day highlighted Kolkata’s spiritual and cultural heritage. Participants celebrated Holy Mass at St Mother Teresa’s Tomb, had breakfast at Mother House and visited the Victoria Memorial, St Paul’s Cathedral and Auxilium Parish Church. The programme concluded with a visit to New Market, leaving participants with memories of fellowship, formation and the cultural heritage of the “City of Joy.”
Fr. Alfred Paul, SDB

Howrah, 30 August: Around 150 young parishioners gathered at Don Bosco Liluah to celebrate Parish Youth Day with vibrant energy and devotion.

The memorable day commenced with a prayerful entrance dance and hymn, leading the concelebrants and the main celebrant, Rev. Fr. Sunil Kerketta, Provincial (INC), to the altar for the solemn Eucharistic celebration. In his inspiring homily, Fr. Provincial exhorted the youth never to lose heart during difficult and challenging times, reminding them that God walks faithfully by their side.

Following the Holy Mass, the youth assembled in the auditorium for the formal inauguration and an engaging session on the encyclical “Magnifica Humanitas.” Led by Fr. Arvind Khalkho, the session came alive through dynamic interactions and thought-provoking discussions. Fr. Arvind urged the gathering, “Do not allow technology to define who you are; instead, remain truly human—grounded in truth, love, freedom, authentic relationships, responsibility, and compassion.”

After a fellowship lunch, Sr. Nootan Rose CHF, Sr. Thresiamma AASC, and Bro. Roshan Ekka SDB shared touching insights into their religious journeys, encouraging the youth to listen to God’s call and generously respond to a life of service.

The afternoon transitioned into the vibrant talent showcase, “Beyond the Ordinary: 2 Minutes to Fame,” featuring high-energy solo and group performances. Bro. Roshan Ekka then energized the participants further with an action-packed, Gospel-based outdoor Treasure Hunt.

The day concluded in the auditorium with the prize distribution and a vote of thanks:

Solo Category (2 Minutes to Fame): George Mondal (1st place), Anisha Bar (2nd place), and Eva Minj (3rd place).

Group Category (2 Minutes to Fame): Annie Sneha Surin & Group – Liluah Unit (1st place), Chandmari Unit (2nd place), and DB Tech Boys (3rd place).

The celebration stood as a true testament to faith, friendship, and fellowship. Each participant departed inspired by the overarching call: Belong to God, Believe in Yourself, Serve Others, and Build the Future—Together We Shine for Christ.

Sonada, 30 August 2026 - A mobile based match, ‘Mobile Legends: Bang Bang’ (MLBB) was organized by Gorabari Youth Centre (Salesian College, Sonada)  for the young people interested in mobile gaming.  This game is very popular among young people aged between 15 to 25, particularly in South Asia, Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore.

The mobile based match brought together 13 teams, from neighbouring villages,  each team consisting of five members. Thus, a total of 65 players participated in the competition. Apart from the participants, guests and spectators were also present, bringing the total attendance to nearly 100 young people. A registration fee of around ₹100 per team was collected from the participating teams.

The programme began with a short inauguration ceremony in which Fr. Johny Nedungatt, SDB, Rector of Salesian College, Sonada, addressed the participants. In his message, he emphasized the importance of teamwork and encouraged the players to work and participate together as a team. His message reminded the young participants that the event was not only about winning but also about cooperation and learning to accept ‘losing and failures’ in life. 

The competition was conducted using knockout system, with the participating teams competing against one another in a series of matches. The matches were actively followed by the players, guests and spectators present at the venue. There was a lively and enthusiastic atmosphere throughout the competition as the teams competed for a place in the final. After several rounds of matches, Fusion Prime from Dilaram Youth Centre came out as the victorious team.

At the end of the competition, the winners and runners-up were honoured in the presence of the participants, spectators and Salesians. The winning team was awarded trophy, medals and certificates, while the runners-up received certificates in recognition of their achievement.

After the competition, the captains of both finalist teams were interviewed about their experience. The captain of the runners-up opined, “The matches were fair and enjoyable; although our team lost the final, we had  fun playing throughout the competition.” The winners’ captain appreciated saying, “The matches were organized excellently well and we are happy that there are people who share interest in such games.” Their feedback reflected the positive experience of the participants and the friendly spirit prevalent during the entire event.

The programme concluded round 6.00 pm. Overall, the competition was successfully conducted and provided a meaningful opportunity for young people from many villages to come together, participate in a shared interest, develop teamwork, and enjoy a spirit of healthy competition and friendship.

Br. Lamkupar onglang SDB

SILIGURI: Rugby is rapidly becoming a tool for empowerment among tribal girls in North Bengal tea gardens, a transformation highlighted on August 8 when the local Saraswatipur Division won a major inter-state tournament. Hosted by the Jungle Crows team to mark International Indigenous Peoples' Day, the event brought together 15 tribal squads from West Bengal, Jharkhand and Odisha to celebrate sportsmanship and indigenous identity.

The sporting initiative began in 2012 when Khelo Rugby founder Paul Walsh and former Salesian College faculty member Fr Mathew George introduced the game to Saraswatipur children. What started as a way to keep youth engaged while their parents worked in the plantations has grown into a structured program linking sport with education and leadership. The recent tournament drew strong international support, with attendees including Ayers Matthew David from the New Zealand High Commission alongside volunteers from France and England.

For these young athletes, the rugby pitch serves as a practical space to challenge social expectations and build self-reliance. Players say the sport has given them a new voice and the confidence to demonstrate the strength of indigenous youth to the wider world. The athletic achievements on the field were followed by a community cultural program on August 9, reinforcing how the game helps these girls affirm their identity and find recognition far beyond their local circumstances.
- Fr. Mathew George, SDB

Sonada, 20 July 2026 - The Youth Department of Salesian College, Sonada, organized the inauguration of the youth center activities and training for the office bearers on 19th July 2026 in the college campus.  Seventy-five participants from the twenty-five youth centers attended the programme. The event was organized to train the new office bearers, and plan the activities for the upcoming year.

The programme began with registration at 9:00 a.m., followed by the inaugural ceremony at 10:00 a.m.  The inaugural ceremony began with an opening prayer followed by a hymn. The ceremonial lighting of the lamp marked the formal inauguration of the programme.

Fr. Johny Nedungatt, the Rector, then addressed the gathering. In his message, he spoke about the importance of leadership and encouraged the participants to become responsible, committed, and service-oriented leaders. He reminded the youth that true leadership is shown through one's actions, responsibility, and willingness to serve others. The inaugural session concluded with a meaningful prayer dance performed by the youth of the Sonada Youth Centre.

The first session was conducted by Mr. Rashik Chettri, former faculty of the college. Through an interactive and activity-based session, he spoke on topics such as time management, leadership, the importance of developing skills, and the courage needed to take a stand as a leader. He also emphasized overcoming the fear of public speaking and demonstrated practical ways to build confidence. The activities kept the participants actively involved and made the session both informative and engaging.

After lunch the brothers organized action songs and other interesting activities which created a lively atmosphere and helped to keep everyone energized and engaged

The participants were then divided into their respective zones—Dilaram, Sonada, and Barima—for group discussions. During these discussions, they reviewed the activities conducted during the previous year, evaluated their strengths and challenges, and prepared action plans for the coming year. The discussions were active and productive, with participants contributing their ideas and suggestions for improving future Youth Centre programmes.

In the general session that followed a short summary of the proposed plans were presented and the newly elected zonal leaders were also introduced. The new leadership is expected to strengthen communication and coordination among the different Youth Centers.

The programme concluded with a vote of thanks and words of appreciation by Fr. Bernard Mardi, SDB, the Youth Service Coordinator.  The event ended with tea, after which the participants departed for their respective centers with renewed enthusiasm and a shared commitment to the activities planned for the year ahead.

Br. Lamkupar Nonglang SDB