By Fr Chris Ferreira for BISMumbai

After a year since its beginning and seven months of construction, the new school building for Don Bosco English Medium School, Chhotaudepur, was blessed on the morning of 15 August 2023. This was also added to the festivities of the Solemnity of the Assumption ‘Muktidayini Mata’, during which four youngsters of the parish were confirmed by Bishop Sebastião Mascarenhas, Bishop of Baroda. Also, prior to this great event, there was the celebration of the 77th Independence Day of India in the schools.

A great multitude of parents, past pupils, and students gathered around the newly built and furnished English Medium School building. The Chief Guest for the event,  Bishop Mascarenhas was accompanied by Fr Savio Silveira - Provincial of the Salesian Province of Bombay, and Fr Ashley Miranda - the Vice-Provincial. Along with them, the others instrumental in the construction of the building were welcomed by little children waving pom poms, aarti and tilak, a guard of honour, and a band march too—all performed by the little children of the English Medium School themselves. Bishop Mascarenhas blessed the building, unveiled the plaque, and prayed for all those who would benefit from this building. He then proceeded to inaugurate the building along with Fr Silveira, Fr Miranda, Fr George Carlos - Rector of Don Bosco Chhotaudepur, and Fr Chris Ferreira - Principal of the Don Bosco English Medium School Chhotaudepur.

Another significant gesture was the handing over of the key of the building to Fr Ferreira by the Provincial as a sign of entrustment. The Bishop and Fr Silveira then blessed every room of the beautifully decked up building. 

The entire assembly then proceeded to the felicitation ceremony that was arranged for all the dignitaries and other esteemed guests. The persons involved in the project -  the engineers, the contractor, supervisors, and other bureaucrats - were felicitated with a souvenir made for the occasion and a tulsi sapling. Little children from Kindergarten to Grade 4 performed cultural dances and delivered speeches in fluent English, expressing gratitude to all those who have helped to build the temple of knowledge that the school building is.

Bishop Mascarenhas praised the works of the Salesians and their dedicated service in this remote region of the diocese. He hoped that goodness of heart above all other virtues would be learned in this school. Fr Silveira reminded the past pupils that this building of the English school is the fulfilment of the dream and wish that they have longed for. Fr Carlos thanked the contractor and workers who delivered the project in the stipulated period effectively, while  Fr Ferreira expressed his gratitude to the Salesians, the teachers, and the parents for their support. 

Truly, a great day for the Salesians of the Province of Bombay, and an even greater day for the community of Chhotaudepur.