by Debjani Bhattacharya & Jennifer Dias for BISMumbai

Don Bosco-Nerul celebrated its 14th Annual Thanksgiving Day on 30 and 31 January 2020 with great gusto. The celebrations on January 31, were more special as it was also the feast of the founder father, St. John Bosco.

Father Glenford Lowe Provincial Councillor of Mumbai Province and Rector of Provincial House, Matunga presided as the chief guest on January 30, while Father Savio Silveira, Provincial of the Salesian Province of Bombay graced the occasion on January 31.

The Special Guests were Father McEnroe Lopes and Father Cleophas Braganza on January 30, while Mr. Pramod Jadhav and Father Joseph Braganza were on January 31.The Guests of Honour were the parents and students of class X and XII on January 30, while the Vice-Chairperson and Joint Secretary of the Parent Teacher Association were on January 31. The other dignitaries included Father Barnabe D’souza, the manager, Father Donald Fernandez, the Principal, Father Cletus D’souza , the Administrator, the headmistress and supervisors of the school.

The dignitaries were escorted to their seats followed by the pinning of badges. The programme commenced with the tiny tots of pre-primary welcoming the gathering with a welcome dance. In keeping with the strenna of the year “That my joy may be within you – Holiness for you too” the students of classes one and two presented a prayer dance emphasizing how one can be joyful and holy by respecting the religious beliefs of all faiths..

This was followed by the prize distribution ceremony, where the Chief Guest gave away prizes to the students with 100% attendance and the general proficiency awards for meritorious performances in academics, sports, and co-curricular activities held during the scholastic year 2018-19.

Speaking on the occasion Father Glenford Lowe urged the young audience to be connected to the Almighty and be champions of their own goals. He further added to observe the ordinary and strive to be extra ordinary while celebrating Life.

Father Savio Silveira trusted that the students will be able to discover the Spirit of God in them and live a life filled with compassion, kindness, goodness, harmony and peace.

The annual report guided the audience on the visual journey of the scholastic year 2019- 20 synopsizing events, activities, achievements and glories in academics, sports, discipline, leadership and more.

The most awaited troika of song, dance, and drama, ‘Aladdin And His Magic Lamp’ showcasing how emphasis is laid on an education that is experiential in nature, intellectually competent, multi-skill oriented, value based and socially committed was presented. The musical showcased a rags to riches adventure about friendship, love and loyalty. ‘True strength and wealth comes from within.’ or ‘A good heart can conquer all obstacles.’, were few of the values that the audience carried with them.

"I realised that in reality, I was a Diamond in the rough just waiting to be polished’, Alden of class XI-Science, who played the role of Aladdin in the musical said. “ The programme showcased the collective efforts of the students and teachers ,” Uday Singh Rajput, a parent said.

The programme culminated with the vote of thanks proposed by the Principal, Father Fernandez. He encouraged the twinkling stars of the school to carve their own paths and make themselves, their parents and their alma mater proud.

The catch line of the musical “Mom, I will make you proud, one day”, touched every soul and lifted the spirit of the assembled audience on the school ground. Indeed every child is a diamond in the rough who needs the support and guidance of parents, teachers and the community to get transformed into a bright, shiny gem.

(published as received)