by Kenneth Saldanha for BISMumbai

Don Bosco Industrial Training Institute (DBITI) marked a significant milestone in its commitment to holistic skill development and societal progress with the grand inauguration of its new Cosmetology Lab, alongside a cutting-edge Augmented Reality (AR) & Virtual Reality (VR) Lab, and a Multi-Skill Technician Lab. The ceremony commenced at 11:00 am with the arrival of distinguished guests and dignitaries at the labs on the first floor of the B Wing. 

 Mr Amarr Prabhu, the Principal of DBITI welcomed the guests and extended a special welcome to the first batch of cosmetology trainees. The inauguration began with a prayer led by Fr Nelson Carvalho, the Vice Rector and Campus Minister, who invoked blessings on the new facilities and the aspiring professionals who will benefit from them. 

 Then the labs were inaugurated with a series of ribbon-cutting ceremonies by the members of the Salesian community and the special guests present. Among these were Mr Naishadh Paleja who is the founder and CEO of Engineering Online Pvt., Mr Dayal Kangne from the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), and Mr Hariharan of the Shree Shankara Hindu Mission.

 Fr Anthony Pinto - the Rector of the community - blest the three laboratories before addressing the gathering. He extended a warm welcome to the guests, collaborators, and benefactors, alongside the first batch of trainees. He expressed profound gratitude to the ICICI Foundation, Shree Shankara Hindu Mission, and Engineering Online for their contribution in bringing those projects to fruition. He also spoke passionately about gender equality and the vital importance of women's participation in the workforce. He also commended Mr Amarr Prabhu for his dedication in adhering to strict deadlines.

 Following this, Mr Hariharan and Mr Naishadh Paleja delivered insightful speeches. They highlighted the immense potential of training women &  A.R. and V.R. technologies, underscored how India, with its vibrant youth population, stands to contribute significantly to global technological advancements.

 Mr Amarr Prabhu concluded the proceedings by extending his heartfelt thanks to those who tirelessly worked for the establishment of these labs. He acknowledged the unwavering support of the DBCL management and also thanked Fr Savio Silveira - the Provincial - for his exceptional foresight and vision demonstrated during the initial meeting with ICICI.

 The inauguration of these new labs, especially the pioneering Cosmetology Lab, marks a progressive leap for Don Bosco Industrial Training Institute, reinforcing its position as a leading institution in skill development and a beacon of hope for countless young individuals seeking to build successful careers, irrespective of gender. These initiatives are a testament to the institute's continuous efforts to equip its trainees with industry-relevant skills and foster a future-ready, inclusive workforce.