By BIS Correspondent for BIS Mumbai

On the solemnity of Saint Joseph, Patron of Universal Church, Bishop Devprasad Ganawa of the Catholic Diocese of Udaipur blessed the foundation for Don Bosco College at Banswara, Rajasthan. Blessing of the foundation stone ceremony was part of the project entrusted to the Salesians of Don Bosco belonging to the Province of Mumbai, at the behest of Bp Ganawa to put up infrastructure for a higher educational purpose, transformation and development in the region.

The new college will benefit the students of Banswara district and from other districts under Udaipur diocese especially, Chittorgarh, Dungarpur, Pratapgarh, Salumber and even those from the neighbouring district of Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh. It will significantly replace the need to travel far distances and improve convenience and quality education and economic growth.

Welcoming Bp Ganawa, Fr Ashley Miranda, Provincial, Fr Robert Pen, Vice Provincial, Fr Gregory D'Almeida, Provincial Economer and other dignitaries, Fr Michael Bansode, in-charge and Provincial Councillor briefed the gathering about 'Project Banswara' and how the Salesians could carry forward its completion.

At the site of construction, Bp Ganawa led everyone in prayer through the words of the Psalm "if the Lord does not build the house, in vain do the builders labour", and the blessed the foundation imploring God's assistance through the intercession of Mary, mother of God and her spouse St Joseph. "It is a huge project and many are the hardships, but we rely on the help of God to make the dream come true", the bishop said.

Thereafter, during a short felicitation, Fr Ashley Miranda, Provincial, highlighted the dream of opening an institute of higher education being fulfilled upon blessing of the foundation stone. He expressed his gratitude to his Lordship Bp Ganawa for inviting the Salesians to take up this task. He also thanked Fr Savio Silveira, the former Provincial, Fr Gregory D'Almeida, Provincial Economer and Fr Michael Bansode, in-charge for their constant follow up and hard work. Bp Ganawa congratulated the Salesians for making the dream a realisation and thanked the Provincial and his Council for taking up this big project. Fr D'Almeida, the Economer, also spoke on the occasion about the project.

In keeping with its commitment to the holistic educational approach, the Salesians of Don Bosco would facilitate growth in character, inner consciousness, values, alongside academic skills. This ceremonial act marks the commencement of a new construction project of the Salesians in the Province of Mumbai in tune to work for the young people of a higher age group.

Before concluding the ceremony, compered by Fr Renold Lemos, and inviting the guests for a sumptuous meal, Bp Ganawa blessed a statue of Don Bosco which was skilfully moulded by Fr Michael Bansode, beautifully set up on a pillar and with the canvas painting of the city of Florence fixed in the "Don Bosco Corner" of the Salesian residence.