Centennial Clebration of the coming of the Salesians to North-East India (1922-2022) & Don Bosco Jayanti: 16th August 2022
Don Bosco College, Tura had a twin-celebration of Centenary of the coming of the Salesians to North-East (1922-2022) and Don Bosco Jayanti on 16th August, 2022. Shri James Pangsang K. Sangma, Hon’ble Minister in charge of Food and Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs, Forest and Environment, Govt. of Meghalaya- was the Chief Guest and Rt. Rev. Andrew R. Marak, Bishop of Tura and Shri Swapnil Tembe IAS, Hon’ble Deputy Commissioner of Tura were the Guests of Honour. Other dignitaries include Shri Steve Rynjah, Commandant-MLP Battalion, Goeragre, Additional Superintendent of Police, Fr. Charles Ch. Sangma and Fr. Alex Mathew. The retired teachers and non-teaching staff of the college were invited and felicitated for their great service to the college.
The Programme began with a beautiful prayer dance by the students to the popular number by Josh Gorban- “You Raise Me Up” that set the tone for the whole celebration. This was followed by a floral tribute to the statue of Don Bosco. The motley group of students sang a Welcome song offering everyone “welcome to the family….” A befitting Welcome Address was given by Fr. Bivan Rodriques Mukhim, the Principal of the College and the dignitaries on the dais were felicitated with A﮲chik Traditional stoles and memento of the Centenary Celebration; while all the invited guests were welcomed with A﮲chik traditional stoles. The Achik folk song “Akai Dira Songjinam” enlivened the celebration and bestowed on it a unique charm.
The Chief Guest, in his speech, emphasized about the contribution of Salesians in North-East in general and Garo Hills in particular. He also stressed on the virtue of gratitude, while assuring the Salesian priests that people of the region are grateful to them. Rt. Rev. Andrew R. Marak, Bishop of Tura also lauded the missionary work of the Salesians in Garo Hills and took everyone down memory lane reminding everyone how the college was conceived and saw the light of day. Shri Swapnil Tembe, the Deputy Commissioner of West Garo Hills too lauded the service of the Salesians in the area of academics and urged the students and everyone present about the need to contribute and give back to society. Fr. Alex Mathew also spoke on the occasion, recalling and cherishing the memories of growth and development of the college. The college magazine “BOSCOANS” (2021-2022) and “TRANSIENT”- Journal (Science stream) were also released on the occasion.
The celebration saw an array of magnificent folk dances, such as Koch folk dance, Assamese folk dance and Achik Wangala Folk Dance. The celebration concluded with a hymn to Don Bosco was sung by students led by a Choir and a vote of thanks proposed by Dr. Barbara S. Sangma, the I QAC Coordinator of the College.
