Itanagar 15: August 2015: At the 69th Independence Day celebrations held in Itanagar, the Chief Minister Shri Nabam Tuki announced the awarding of five gold medals, ten silver medals and thirteen commendation certificates for meritorious services rendered. Among the gold-medal recipients was Fr. Cyriac Pulinthanathumalayil, the founder-director of Don Bosco Youth Centre in Itanagar for “outstanding contribution to skill development of youthâ€.
His programmes aimed at developing skills in computer, hospitality, spa and beauty, retail, travel and tourism, spoken English and other soft skills have opened fresh avenues to hundreds of job-seekers from the State. His novel idea of developing the personality and leadership skills of the candidates during a residential motivational soft skills training, before venturing out of the State for further specialized training and placement, has enhanced the success rate of the skill training programmes of the Government. Prior to his appointment in Itanagar, Fr. Cyriac had started the Don Bosco Youth Centre at Khonsa in the insurgency-infested Tirap District and initiated similar activities for the welfare of young people of Arunachal Pradesh.
The announcement and recognition of Fr. Cyriac’s contribution has coincided with the celebration of the bicentenary of Don Bosco’s birth on 16th August. Don Bosco spent his life teaching useful trades to youngsters, especially the less fortunate ones. The awardee is treading the sure beaten path of the charismatic founder in “empowering youth and enriching nation†– the motto of the Youth Centre in Itanagar. The Catholic Community of Arunachal is overjoyed at this singular achievement and is proud of the same. The award will be given at Indira Gandhi Park, Itanagar on 20th February next, the Statehood Day of Arunachal Pradesh.
Fr. Cyprian Kallikkadan SDB
Roof Top Solar Panel Installed at DB School, Jorhat
Jorhat: 29 August 2015:Â A total of 40 KW of renewable energy/ solar power was installed at Don Bosco Hr. Sec. School, Baghchung, Jorhat, Assam, India for the first time on 28 August 2015. However, 15 KW unit of the aforesaid power was simultaneously blessed by Fr. Palackel Nebu Mathew, SDB provincial economer, Dimapur (IND) province in the presence of Fr. C. J. Mathew, Fr. Philip J. Kamei, vice principal, and Fr. Cyriac Manipadam and Bro. James Kamei H. together with Mr. Ashesh Patel, CEO of Vertex group of companies at Nadiad, Gujarat and his team of technocrats who continue to work at the facility.
The first 15 KW is in operation in DB Jorhat from 28 August 2015. Remaining 10 KW is to be installed within 10 days at Rua Home in the school premises currently the residence of the Salesians and aspirants.
“Solar energy is green energy produced by sunlight a source which is most reliable and will never end. Today electricity is generated by various sources like coal, gas, oil, atomic power, etc. which pollute air at the time of production and distribution. Renewable sources are providing pollution free electricity and are from natural resources,†says Ashesh Patel.
The power production and utilization will be assessed by Mr. Ashesh Patel at a later date. This renewable energy produced by solar panels for the first time in the northeast is established at a cost of Rs. 50 lakh donated by Mr. Torun Gogoi, the present Congress Chief Minister of Assam in March 2015.
The projected life span of batteries is 7-8 years whereas that of solar panels is 25 years.
The entire scheme of renewal energy including the donation was coordinated by Fr. Cyriac Manipadam, SDB the administrator of the above mentioned institution.
Joseph S. Kulathunkal (aka Kulam)
kulamsdbjoseph@gmail.com
 Don Bosco’s Two Hundredth Birth Anniversary Remembered
Jorhat: 17 August 2015: Together with the global community, the two hundredth birth anniversary of Saint John Bosco, also known as Don Bosco, was kept with pomp and splendour by the management, staff and students of Don Bosco Higher Secondary School, Baghchung, Jorhat, Assam in the school premises.
    The two-hour-long cultural-cum-musical-festival was inaugurated by Fr. P. J. Varghese, rector, on Sunday morning 16 August 2015. In his thumbnail sketch of the life and apostolate of the educator-saint, Fr. Varghese invited his audience to thank God for the gift of Saint John Bosco to us and to the rest of the world.
    Mr. Kamal J. Gogoi, the secretary of the School Education Board of Assam, the chief guest at this function, in his message highlighted the services of Don Bosco institutions in India and especially Assam – good results in the examinations and the educational values imparted to numerous students.
    The celebration included a prayer dance (Gospel of peace), cultural dances by high school students, choir by Rua Home aspirants (class XII students), and a thematic dance by boys and girls depicting pain-sorrow-joy of life inviting the audience to shun alcohol and drugs. It was followed by a skit on Don Bosco. In her well delivered speech, Tridisha Kalita, class 8, described Don Bosco as a man of God and educator of young people. The vice principal, Fr. Philip J. Kamei, SDB, proposed a vote of thanks.
Joseph S. Kulathunkal (aka Kulam), SDB
