MINISTRIES

Sonada, 19 August 2025 – The Salesian Province of Kolkata proudly welcomed delegates from twelve Salesian provinces across South Asia to Salesian College Autonomous, Sonada, for the annual BOSCOM Executive Meet, held from August 19 to 21. Under the theme “Artificial Intelligence in the Salesian Mission,” the three-day event fosters dialogue and strategic planning on leveraging AI in education, communication, and pastoral ministry.

The Kolkata Province, honored to host this significant gathering, opened the meet with a Eucharistic celebration in the college chapel, led by Provincial Fr. Dr. Joseph Pauria. In his homily, Fr. Pauria urged delegates to explore the ethical and pastoral implications of AI while staying true to the Salesian spirit of creativity and service.

BOSCOM, the Bosco Communications network established in 1993, is the pioneering regional communications body of the Salesians of Don Bosco globally. It coordinates efforts across India, Sri Lanka, Nepal, and Bangladesh, focusing on media formation, responsible youth engagement with social media, and innovative use of digital platforms to advance the Salesian mission.

At the inaugural session, Fr. Johny Nedungattu, Rector of Salesian College Siliguri, extended a warm welcome to the delegates, while Principal Fr. Dr. Babu Joseph expressed gratitude for the opportunity to host this pan-regional event. “It’s a privilege for our province to facilitate this gathering of communicators as we navigate the opportunities and challenges of artificial intelligence in our mission,” Fr. Joseph remarked.

Fr. Fidel Maria Orendain, General Councillor for Social Communication, joined virtually to emphasize authentic relationships in communication. “Our mission is to prioritize genuine witnessing over mere technical expertise,” he shared with the delegates.

Representatives from North, Northeast, South, and Western India bring diverse perspectives to the discussions, which will focus on media formation, youth accompaniment, and the responsible integration of AI into Salesian education and outreach over the next two days. The Kolkata Province is committed to ensuring this meet inspires innovative and mission-driven approaches to social communication across the region.

Reported by Fr. C M Paul SDB

SONADA, June 9, 2025 – Mr. Sujoy Majumdar, Head of UNICEF’s Rural WASH Project and former Director of the Swachh Bharat Mission, New Delhi, along with his wife, Dr. Sonia Majumdar, visited Radio Salesian 90.8 FM on June 9 to strengthen community health outreach. Welcomed by Radio Salesian Director Fr. C.M. Paul, Programme Director RJ Sameer Chettri, and the RJ team with traditional Gorkha topis and khadas, the visit underscored the critical role of community radio in advancing public health initiatives.

Discussions focused on the ongoing Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) Project, emphasizing the power of media partnerships to amplify public awareness. Mr. Majumdar highlighted Radio Salesian’s unique reach, broadcasting in Nepali to communities across Darjeeling, Siliguri, Kurseong, and parts of Nepal, including Pashupati and Kakrabitta. The station’s 15-kilometer radius covers tea plantations and rural areas, making it an effective platform for disseminating health messages.

Since its launch in 2016 as North Bengal’s first college-based community radio, Radio Salesian, housed at Salesian College Sonada, has been a vital voice for the hills. Its collaboration with UNICEF, notably through initiatives like the 2020 “Mission Corona” campaign, has demonstrated its commitment to public health education. The visit signals deeper cooperation to address WASH challenges, aiming for healthier, more resilient communities in the region.

Fr. Paul and RJ Sameer emphasized the station’s role in real-time engagement, with programs tackling hygiene, nutrition, and disease prevention. The Majumdars’ visit, marked by warm cultural gestures, reaffirmed Radio Salesian’s position as a trusted partner in UNICEF’s mission to ensure safe water and sanitation for all.
CM Paul

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 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.