By Alphonsa Ohol and Pearl Fernandes for BIS Mumbai

A joyful and spiritually enriching Christmas Bonfire Evening was organised at by the staff and students of Don Bosco College of Arts and Commerce (Evening), Yerwada, Pune on December 20, 2025.The event brought together students and staff to celebrate the true spirit of Christmas in an atmosphere filled with warmth, reflection, and festive cheer.

The programme began with a welcome address by the Coordinator, Prof. Pearl Fernandes, who set the festive spirit and warmly welcomed everyone present. Her opening words beautifully prepared the gathering for an evening of celebration and reflection.

The true meaning of Christmas was thoughtfully highlighted through a reflection on the hymn “Christmas isn’t Christmas till it happens in your heart, somewhere deep inside you is where Christmas really starts.” This reflection encouraged students to look beyond external celebrations and focus on inner transformation, love, and compassion.

A deeply heart-touching sharing followed, where Rachel Ghorpade (S.Y.B.A) and Hosea Jeevakuntla (S.Y.B. Com) spoke about their visit to Pandita Ramabai Mukti Mission. Their experiences moved the audience and reinforced the importance of service, empathy, and gratitude during the Christmas season.

Adding colour and joy to the evening, Joel Sable and Rachel Ullagadi (S.Y.B.Com), along with the Sacred Heart Parish Youth Choir, sang melodious Christmas carols around the bonfire. The lively entry of Santa Claus brought smiles, laughter, and excitement, adding fun and frolic to the celebration.

In his keynote message, Fr Crispino D’Souza, the Director, inspired the students by narrating the story of Christmas and urged them to become torchbearers of love, peace, joy, and hope in today’s world. His message left a lasting impact on the gathering.

In his special message, Dr C. Das, the Principal, appreciated the efforts of both staff and students. He emphasized that when actions are performed with love, they add true meaning and value to life.

The evening concluded on a cheerful note as students enjoyed lip-smacking snacks, participated in party games, and won exciting prizes. The vote of thanks, proposed by Prof. Pearl Fernandes, marked the formal conclusion of the programme.

The Christmas Bonfire Evening was thoroughly enjoyed by all. It fostered a strong sense of family spirit, warmth, and togetherness. Students left the campus on a festive note, resolved to spread the message of love, joy, peace, and hope, making it truly an evening of fellowship, reflection, and celebration under the starlit sky.