by Dr. Narendra Vasava for BISMumbai

Amrutdhara Don Bosco animated an invitational aabhar-satsang [thanksgiving spiritual-gathering] in Navifali village of Sagbara Taluka in South Gujarat, a predominantly Vasava tribal community area, where many children study in the many ashram-schools at Navifali, NanaDoramba and Umerda. This invitational aabhar-satsang was to thank God and felicitate Dhansukbhai Vasava upon his retirement, after rendering 28 years of dedicated service, at the Navrachna Mission School. in Sagbara.

Director of Amrutdhara Don Bosco-Father Mayank Parmar, led the aabhar-satsang with a team of musicians and singers. In typical katha-kirtan style, of narration interspersed with music and singing, he highlighted 09 examples of thanksgiving, as recorded in the Bible. He focused on: thanksgiving when something extraordinary happens; thanksgiving in the face of unknown; thanksgiving in lament; thanksgiving when spirits fail; thanksgiving as a community; thanksgiving for others; thanksgiving as a ritual; thanksgiving for milestones achieved; and thanksgiving in God's presence.

The aabhar-satsang on the occasion of retirement and at the start of a new innings in life, was well-appreciated by the family of Vasava, especially by his eldest son, Dr. Vasava, professor at Children's University*. Post-satsang, a sumptuous dinner was hosted by the Vasava family for the entire village, with the Amrutdhara team in tow. A solemn thanksgiving Eucharist, the next day, presided over by the Sagbara mission-pioneer Father Thomas SJ, with melodious accompaniment by the Satsang team, further enlivened the thanksgiving celebrations. A short felicitation after Mass, was followed by lunch.

Father Parmar said, "hope that such events with the participation of Amrutdhara, will help us to reach-out to many young people in South Gujarat and that some of those who are attracted will eventually join the Salesians of Don Bosco. Thanks to Dr. Vasava for this invitation, which is for us, an opportunity for vocation-animation."

* https://www.cugujarat.ac.in/index