by Father Shaun D'Lima for BISMumbai

Life is a gift and so are birthdays a celebration of life. The celebration gains significance, if it means celebrating the life of the abandoned, orphaned, roofless and rootless. In keeping with the time-honoured tradition, since its establishment, Don Bosco Snehalaya at Vishwamitri-Vadodara celebrated the 205th birth anniversary of Don Bosco and the life of the boys in residence.

Rector and Director Father George Miranda, shared with the boys what it means to be a ‘Child of God’. He wished them on this auspicious day and implored them "to grow in responsibility and to work towards becoming good, honest and upright citizens." Value-based fun indoor games were organised with teamwork, fairplay and the spirit of sportsmanship on display. The customary cake-cutting and sumptuous lunch was followed by screening of 'Chak De India', which the boys enjoyed thoroughly. A 'housie' in the evening with distribution of prizes brought the day to a close.

At sunset, the boys, with the staff and management, gathered for a moment of prayer-thanksgiving, and whispered a prayer for the numerous benefactors and well-wishers who in their generosity assist Snehalaya at all times.