By Cl. Jittin Mathew for BISMumbai

The 75th anniversary of India’s independence was commemorated by the Don Bosco Youth Centre (DBYC) and Don Bosco Suraksha, Pune, on 15 August 2022 with the young.

The ceremony's chief guests were Fr Agnelo Mascarenhas SJ - Jesuit Provincial of Pune, Mr Anirudh Shah - Managing Director of Poona Cotton, Mrs Reena Shah, and Mr Joseph Zachariah - Manager of the Maharashtra Metro Rail Corporation, Pune.

The gathering was treated to a patriotic cultural celebration, complete with a remix-desh bhakti dance performed by the girls of the oratory choreographed by the Don Bosco Suraksha team, a fusion dance portraying the free spirit of India by the boys of the DBYC oratory. A patriotic band piece by the brothers topped off the inspiring celebration.

Around 200 migrants from the neighbourhood had gathered at DBYC for a free medical check up, ration distribution, clothes distribution and blood donation camp thanks to the generous benefactors of the community and the collaboration of Jehangir Hospital.

Thus, independence day at DBYC, Pune, was not just about paying lip-service to the nation but also a concrete expression of love to the citizens of India especially those most in need.