By BIS Correspondent for BIS Mumbai

Kawant, October 2, 2025 – The Feast of the Guardian Angels was celebrated with great joy and heartfelt gratitude by the children of Don Bosco Chatralaya, Kawant, as the management, Fr Mayank Parmar SDB, Fr Ajay Shelke SDB, Fr Agnel Dias SDB, Br Melvyn Carvalho SDB and the boarding children came together to honour and felicitate their boarding guardians. The event was a touching expression of love, appreciation, and respect for the dedicated boarding masters who accompany and guide the boys in their daily lives.

The programme opened with a soulful bhajan prayer by the Chatralaya’s bhajan mandli, setting a devotional and reflective tone for the celebration. This was followed by the lighting of the lamp, by Cl. Ankit Ganava SDB, the boarding masters, and members of the management, symbolizing enlightenment and guidance.

Fr Parmar, Rector of Don Bosco Kawant, welcomed the gathering and extended his heartfelt thanks to the entire boarding masters’ team, led by Cl. Ganava. He praised their tireless dedication and the variety of contributions they bring to the boarding, emphasizing their role not just as caretakers but as mentors shaping the lives of the children. In his address, Cl. Ganava offered an inspiring description of each student group, assigning them meaningful titles that reflected their journey: Std 6 – “The Beginners,” Std 7 – “The Settlers” (developing responsibility), Std 8 – “The Transition Phase” (emerging critical thinkers), Std 9 – “The Explorers,” and Std 10 – “The Role Models.” His words served both as encouragement and a reminder of the growth process each student undergoes within the Chatralaya.

The children expressed their gratitude through a colourful stage performance, showcasing their talents in dance, skits, and music, all dedicated to their guardians. A unique highlight of the programme was an interactive interview segment, where the Masters were invited to the stage and asked questions by the student MCs. This gave the guardians a chance to share their personal sentiments and experiences. Mr Dhanka, a veteran boarding master still actively serving, expressed his joy in seeing children live disciplined lives, which keeps him feeling youthful and energetic. Mr Ravji, a retired boarding master now contributing through the music ministry, recounted a moving faith experience where the protection of God saved many boarding children from a tragic accident. Mr Bharsing, an active master, reflected on his happiness in mingling with the boys and watching them grow in diverse capacities. Mr Akash expressed that the love and affection he receives from the children is beyond words. These heartfelt testimonies created an atmosphere of mutual respect, gratitude, and joy, strengthening the bond between the masters and the boys.

The children then presented handmade greeting cards to each guardian as tokens of appreciation for their hard work and dedication. Fr Agnel Dias SDB, Prefect of Studies, offered a special note of thanks to the guardians and Cl. Ganava for their tireless service and sense of belonging to the boarding. He thanked each and every boarding master for their team work to uplift the standard of the boarding.  He also commended the children for their active involvement in preparing the backdrop, writing speeches, compering the event, and organizing the programme.

The day concluded with a festive meal and the distribution of gifts to each boarding master, symbolizing appreciation for their constant dedication. The Feast of the Guardian Angels thus became not only a celebration of faith but also a heartfelt tribute to the “guardian angels” of Don Bosco Chatralaya — the masters who guide, protect, and inspire the young lives entrusted to their care.