by Pearl Fernandes & Father Bosco D'Mello for BISMumbai

Don Bosco Yerwada-Pune celebrated its Christmas Panorama 2020 online, themed 'Share and Care-the Joy of Giving' , on 23 and 24 December 2020. Like each year, this Christmas Panorama too, maintained the essence of Christmas, overcoming all practical difficulties of the COVID-19. Various competitions for students of all classes, like making gift-boxes, snowmen, wreaths, bells and stars, showcased the creativity of teachers and students. Effective use of technology for putting up graceful and delightful online performances such as carol-singing, action- song, tableaus, skits, and themed-dances with meaningful messages, added to the festive gaiety.

With the generous participation of staff, management, parents and teachers, Don Bosco Yerwada reached out to around 120 families-in-need, 20 migrant households, and 06 charitable institutions in Pune. Mother Teresa- Missionaries of Charity home (80 inmates), Jivala Foundation (15 inmates), Saraswati Anath Ashram (35 inmates), Ishaprema Niketan (35 inmates), Renuka Shishu Griha (15 inmates), and Pandita Ramabai Mukti Mission (405 inmates and 2,200 students from KG to Junior College) were beneficiaries of the 'share and care-joy of giving' outreach.

Principal-Father D'Mello, expressed his happiness saying, 'I am delighted to celebrate Christmas by reaching out to the needy, while experiencing that 'sharing is caring'. The Don Bosco family Yerwada, has these two days experienced that the joy of giving is much greater and richer than the joy of receiving." Lorraine Francis said, "May the Don Bosco Yerwada family be blessed abundantly for the love they share with the people who need it the most."