By Fr Alex Carvalho sdb for BIS Mumbai

In a gesture that reflected a deep commitment to rural communities and hands-on development, Bishop Bernard Lancy Pinto of Aurangabad spent his birthday on August 20, working alongside villagers in Paitan Taluka, at Ranjangaon-Khuri, one of the villages served by the Salesian community at Waluj. The Bishop was at the Waluj community from August 19 to 21, making the visit a significant and memorable moment in the history of the Salesian presence there.

Rather than marking his birthday with a conventional celebration, Bishop Bernard chose to spend the day in Shramdhan, sharing the labour and sweat of the villagers. At Ranjangaon khuri, he joined the local people in a plantation drive organized by Br. Alex Gonsalves, and Fr. Alex Carvalho, and two social workers involved in the village development project of the Waluj community. Br. Alex addressed the gathered villagers about the significance of the day and explained the purpose of the shramdhan. Bishop also spoke a few words about the importance of conserving the environment. The Bishop then got involved in digging holes and planting trees like chikoo, tamarind, custard apple, and bamboo near a check-dam that was constructed as part of the village development efforts of the Salesians. His presence among the villagers offered a simple yet powerful expression of solidarity with rural communities and their efforts towards the development of their village and care for nature.

He began his birthday, by celebrating the Eucharist in the community chapel. The Mass was concelebrated by the priests of the Waluj community, with Fr. George Miranda, Head of the Province Development Office, also present. In his reflection, he stressed on the importance of building people rather than institutions. He spent time sharing the life and prayer of the community and engaged in fruitful discussion with the community members. The community presented him with a religious souvenir as a memory of his birthday with them. The meaningful shramdhan provided a fitting expression of a birthday marked not by ceremony but by prayer and service.

The Ranjangaon khuri initiative forms part of the village development work undertaken by the Waluj Salesian community. The community has been accompanying villages in the surrounding area through development initiatives, including efforts related to water conservation and check-dam construction. The visit was also a continuation of Bishop Bernard's interest in the social development work at Waluj. During a visit in May, he had witnessed the village development initiatives under the leadership of Br. Alex Gonsalves. His return to Waluj and his willingness to participate personally in the work demonstrated his appreciation for the Salesian approach of accompanying communities and working alongside people at the grassroots.