By BIS Correspondent for BIS Mumbai

 Ahilyanagar, November 1, 2026: In a significant initiative aimed at promoting youth empowerment and facilitating employment opportunities, St Anne’s Church, Ahilyanagar, organised a Job Fair, bringing together about 500 job seekers and 21 companies representing diverse sectors. The initiative formed part of the preparations for the Golden Jubilee celebration of the Annual Nagar Mat Mauli Yatra.

 The event was spearheaded by Don Bosco AVSAR, which operates from the St. Anne’s campus. AVSAR is a Salesian initiative functioning across the Province, with the objective of establishing a meaningful interface between prospective employers and job seekers. The Job Fair was open to youth from all religious backgrounds, reflecting the Church’s inclusive approach and its commitment to serving society at large.

 Following the Holy Mass at St Anne’s Church, Fr McEnroe Lopes was invited to formally inaugurate the Job Fair. He reminded those gathered of St John Bosco’s vision towards empowerment of young people. In keeping with Don Bosco’s spirit, St Anne’s Church sought to provide a platform where young people could explore employment opportunities, identify their potential and work towards a better future for themselves and their families.

 The participating companies and organisations represented six major sectors: Technical, Education, Banking, Marketing, Social Work and Medical. Prominent participants included Tata Motors, Fiat, Galaxy Enterprises, Impulse Hospital, Muthoot Finance, Kankariya Automobiles, Pranali Infrastructure Engineers and Builders, among others.

 Special mention must be made of Bosco Gramin Vikas Kendra, and the Jesuit Social Centre, which participated in the Social Work sector and provided recruitment opportunities for suitable candidates. In the Education sector, Auxilium Convent, Savedi, conducted recruitment for various vacant positions, offering employment opportunities to qualified candidates.

 The dedicated efforts of the volunteers played a vital role in the smooth functioning of the event.  Throughout the event, job seekers were assisted by volunteers and received guidance in identifying organisations and vacancies that matched their qualifications, interests and employment preferences. The volunteers helped several candidates in preparing their curriculum vitae (CVs) and résumés, helping them present their educational qualifications, skills and experience more effectively to prospective employers. Hence the volunteers assisted with registration, guided participants to the respective company stalls and facilitated interactions with recruiters. Their commitment contributed to creating a welcoming and organised environment for everyone.

 At the conclusion of the event, approximately 120 job seekers had established meaningful connections with 19 companies. The interactions provided candidates with valuable exposure to employment opportunities and enabled organisations to connect with potential recruits.

 The Job Fair was not merely an employment-oriented activity but also a concrete expression of the values underlying the Golden Jubilee preparations. By extending the celebration beyond religious observances to include meaningful social outreach, St Anne’s Church reaffirmed its commitment to service, solidarity and the holistic development of young people. The initiative gave practical expression to the Salesian spirit of accompanying the young and helping them become responsible and self-reliant members of society.