GUWAHATI: The Don Bosco Society of Salesian Fathers and Brothers are completing 100 years of service in Northeast India this year (1922-2022).
To commemorate the centenary, the Don Bosco Society has planned various events. There will be a solemn inauguration of the centenary year at the Don Bosco campus, Panbazar, Guwahati on January 12, 2022. Archbishop John Moolachira of Guwahati will preside over the ceremony there. Simultaneously, various other centres under Guwahati Province will gather their students, staff, and other beneficiaries for the opening of the centenary year.
On July 21, 1921, Fr Paul Albera, the then Superior General of Don Bosco in Italy, accepted to serve in the Northeast. In 1922, eleven Don Bosco missionaries of different nationalities arrived in Northeast India.
On January 13, 1922, they reached Shillong and took up their assignments there. At present, there are three provinces in the Northeast: Guwahati (established in 1959), Dimapur (1981), and Shillong (2012).
On January 13, 2022, there will be a solemn inauguration at the Cathedral Church at Shillong to commemorate the day of the arrival of Salesian pioneers at Shillong. Archbishop Victor Lyngdoh will preside over the inaugural ceremonies there.
Don Bosco Society will organise quiz and singing competitions on the occasion of the centenary. Don Bosco Past Pupils have chalked out events like centenary marathon, table tennis, and badminton championships, charitable programs like blood donation, visit old age homes, distribution of food, health camps, etc.
The centenary celebrations are spread out in the five different sub-regions of Guwahati Province: Garo Hills in Meghalaya, Bodoland, Assam Plains, Karbi Anglong and Kamrup in Lower Assam; where there will be cultural extravaganza, books releases, installation of centenary monuments, and memorial awards for people for outstanding services in the region.
In October 2022, the Head of Don Bosco Society will visit Guwahati. Besides other programs, he is scheduled to meet Bishops, Fathers, Brothers, and Sisters associated with Don Bosco institutions, youngsters from different schools, colleges, and Assam Don Bosco University, underprivileged children and youth of Snehalaya and child-friendly Guwahati.
There will be a cultural extravaganza wherein the Head of Don Bosco Society will have the opportunity to interact with the dignitaries from the Government, administration, and the church.
A mega event entitled Boscoree, a four-yearly event of the assembly of Don Bosco Scouts and Guides in India, will be organised by the Don Bosco Society at Assam Don Bosco University,Tapesia, from December 29, 2022, to January 3, 2023.
“We have every reason to celebrate the 100 glorious years of Don Bosco's services to the people of Northeast. The Pioneers had their motto: Dare and Hope. We are celebrating the success of this motto,” Don Bosco Panbazar Principal Sebastian Mathews said.
