By Fr Franco Pereira for BIS Mumbai

“Recreation, joy, and happiness are essential elements of education.” — St. John Bosco

As part of the joyful celebrations of St. John Bosco, a picnic was organized for the St. Dominic Savio Andheri Boarders and the Evening Study Oratory children on January 29, 2026. It was a beautiful opportunity to offer the children a well-deserved day of relaxation, fun, and togetherness in the true Salesian spirit.

A total of 38 boarders and 59 Evening Study Oratory children, accompanied by the Salesian confreres, and Evening Study teachers, participated in the picnic to Uttan Pali Beach Resort. The outing was made possible through the generous sponsorship of our benefactors, Mr. Rajashekar Shetty and Mr. Nayan Shetty, through the kind connection of one of our past pupils, Mr. Jimmy Matthew, along with the support of the Past Pupils of St. Dominic Savio and A-League (a Recreational Sports League), who facilitated the event. We gratefully acknowledge their generous support, which brought immense joy to the children.

The day began early for the boarders, who woke up at 5:45 a.m. and actively participated in the Novena Mass at 6:15 a.m., seeking God’s blessings for the day. The Evening Study Oratory children from the neighbourhood arrived at 7:00 a.m. After assembling, all the children set out together in two buses, filled with excitement and enthusiasm. The group reached Uttan Pali Beach Resort at 9:15 a.m.

After receiving the necessary instructions and safety guidelines, the children eagerly plunged into a variety of activities. Many enjoyed the water slides, swimming pool, and rain dance, while others had great fun playing in the entertainment park. The pleasant surroundings, delicious food, and the warm presence of the Salesians and teachers made the experience even more special.

As the day progressed, the picnic fostered friendship, joy, and a sense of care among the children, beautifully reflecting Don Bosco’s educational spirit of learning through play and loving accompaniment.

In the evening, at 4:30 p.m., it was time to bid farewell to the resort. With happy hearts and tired but smiling faces, the children began their return journey to St. Dominic Savio. The group safely reached the campus at 7:00 p.m. The children expressed their heartfelt gratitude to the Rector, Fr Francisco Pereira, for his encouragement, support, and for making this joyful outing possible.

It proved to be a memorable and enriching highlight of the Don Bosco Month celebrations.