India - VIII National Congress of Indian Federation of Past Pupils of Don Bosco
Shillong, India - October 2022 - The "Don Bosco" Pastoral Center in Shillong hosted the 8th National Congress of the Indian Federation of the Association of Past Pupils of Don Bosco. The event was organized from October 13 to 15 by the team of Past Pupils, led by Mr. Valerian Pakma, President of the "St. John Paul II" Provincial Federation of Shillong. 250 alumni from the Provinces of India participated, along with Fr. Joseph Manipadan, SDB, Delegate for the Salesian Family of the Salesian Provinces Conference of India (SPCSA). The Congress was opened by Fr. Paul Olphindro Lyngkot, Superior of Shillong Province (INS), together with Mr. Ketan Gala, National President of the Past Pupils. Group discussions on the theme of the congress "Don Bosco's Mission: our Mission" were led by Fr. John Zosiama, INS Province Vicar, and Fr. Joseph Anikuzhikattil, Provincial Delegate for the Salesian Family. The assembly decided that in the next four years work should be done on organizing literacy programs, with evening classes; establishing programs with scholarships for poor students; preparing vocational orientation and training programs; and collaborating with Salesian social outreach programs, such as "Don Bosco Green Alliance" and projects for at-risk youth (YAR).