By Rajesh Jamadagni

With a tapestry of dreams woven into its fabric, the Annual Day of Don Bosco High School and Junior College, Lonavla, unfolded on January 24 & 25, 2025. The two-day event was graced by luminaries—Shri Ashok Vasant Sabale, Chief Officer of Lonavla Municipal Council, and Shri Dinesh V. Ranavat, President of Vidya Vinaya Sabha and stalwart of education and civic design. Their presence lent dignity to an occasion that was as profound as it was joyous.

The event opened with a ceremonious escort of the dignitaries by the school captains, leading to a moment of solemn reverence through the Lord’s Prayer. The School Anthem was sung, embodying the spirit of unity and purpose. The students welcomed one and all with an exuberance that set the stage alight.

In his address, Fr Blany Pinto, the Manager, welcomed the gathering with warmth and affection, his words imbued with gratitude and joy. The Chief Guests were honoured by the Rector and Principal, their subsequent addresses resonating with wisdom and encouragement. Guests of Honour—parents of the SSC and HSC toppers—were recognised with heartfelt gestures, their pride mirrored in the applause that followed. The priests and brothers of the community, steadfast in their service, were also felicitated, their dedication a testament to the ethos of Don Bosco.

The crescendo of the evening arrived with the musical Dreamscapes painted the life of Don Bosco in hues of passion and perseverance. The narrative traced the journey of a young boy whose dream at nine became the cornerstone of a mission that transformed the world. From humble beginnings, his vision blossomed into an enduring legacy of schools, institutes, and centres, bringing hope to the margins of society. The performance was a kaleidoscope of music, light, and emotion, leaving the audience mesmerised and moved.

Interwoven with this spectacle was the presentation of the Annual Report by the Principal, a succinct chronicle of achievements and milestones. The Prize Distribution Ceremony honoured excellence, inspiring all to reach for greater heights. Following a break for refreshments, the programme resumed with Chasing Dreams, a vibrant performance that embodied the boundless spirit of Don Bosco’s vision.

As the event drew to its conclusion, the Principal offered a vote of thanks, an ode to the collective efforts that transformed a vision into reality. The singing of the National Anthem brought the curtain down, uniting hearts in a moment of pride and patriotism.

The Annual Day of Don Bosco Lonavla, meticulously directed, choreographed and coordinated by Joey Mendoza Muzikals, was not merely an event but a symphony of dreams, a celebration of the human spirit, and a tribute to the enduring power of vision and community. It was, indeed, a lyrical masterpiece that will resonate in the hearts of all who were privileged to witness it.