Bosco Milan, a youthful celebration with the young people, was celebrated from 5th – 8th October, 2022 in the beautiful and sprawling campus of Don Bosco School, Gumla. The theme for Bosco Milan 2022 was the Strenna of our Rector Major “Do all through love, nothing through constraint.” More than 450 youth from 12 Salesian Parishes and Institutions run by the members of the Salesian Family participated in the programme.
At the inaugural function on 5th October, 2022, the chief guest Mr. Bhushan Tirkey, the honourable MLA of Gumla constituency, hoisted the Bosco Milan flag and Fr. Shilanad Kerketta, Youth Ministry Delegate declared the Bosco Milan 2022 open. In his inaugural message, he exhorted the young people to be the protagonists and the catalysts to protect, preserve and continue to enrich the traditions they had received from their ancestors. The first day was fittingly concluded with the One-Hour long Eucharistic Adoration Service led by the young people of Kuarmunda Parish. Their melodious and devotional singing truly set the tone for the rest of the programmmes of Bosco Milan. It was also an occasion just to surrender everything of Bosco Milan 2022, at the feet of the Master, Our Lord Jesus Christ, saying, ‘Thy will be done, Lord.
The morning of 6th October, began with the half an hour of Adoration to the Eucharistic Lord, a practice which is faithfully observed by almost all the Salesian communities of Delhi Province at present. The Holy Eucharistic celebration followed thereafter. The main celebrant for the Eucharistic celebration was the Apostolic Administrator of Gumla Diocese, Rt. Rev. Fr. Linus Pingal Ekka. In his homily he said, “Be a person who can make a difference in the life of another person. For this you need to have self-confidence and a well-defined purpose in your own life.” At the end of the Mass, he was felicitated with a shawl and a memento of Bosco Milan 2022.
Fr. Arvind Kujur sdb, vice principal of Don Bosco School, Kokar, Ranchi presented the Strenna 2022 of the Rector Major to the young people. He explained to the young people the true meaning of love and doing all things with the spirit of true Christian love and compassion. A lively discussion took place after the presentation in which the youngsters asked questions relating to love, friendship, emotions, sexual morality etc. The queries of the youngsters were ably answered by Fr. Arvind Kujur, Fr. Shilanand Kerketta and Fr. Punit Kujur.
Fr. Ashok Kujur ‘Chere’ then took an input session on ‘digital addiction, a topic which is absolutely relevant for the youth of this generation. He dwelt on the meaning of addiction in general and the digital addiction in particular. He presented six different types of addictions which are the byproduct of digital addictions, namely – gaming addiction, gambling addiction, pornography addiction, social media addiction, online shopping addiction and work-related digital addiction. He also explained to the young people about the different kinds of negative impact digital addiction is making in the lives of people. They are – physical threats, intellectual threats, emotional threats, relationship threats and moral threats.
Just before the lunch break some the pioneers of Bosco Milan event were felicitated: Fr. Valerius Lakra, Fr. Joe D’souza, Fr. Vincent Toppo, Fr. Edward Dang. Fr. Valerius recalled the inspiration of starting Bosco Milan way back in 1992 and also the purpose of bringing the young people of Salesian institutions under one banner to give them a taste of Salesian togetherness and the Salesian spirit of joy and optimism along with the idea of preserving the culture and ethos of tribal youngsters. The pioneers were emotionally pleased to witness that the sapling which they planted was growing steadily and breaking new frontiers.
The Bible Quiz and Bosco Quiz followed after the lunch break. It was well conducted by the Pre-Novitiate community of Jharsuguda under the leadership of Fr. Pratap Ekka, the Vocation-Coordinator of New Delhi province.
Then the rain gods intervened. It was also the time for the Rosary Service. The youngsters recited all the five decades of the Rosary braving the rain and storming the heavens to do a miracle by stopping the rain so that the much-awaited cultural dance competition could begin. Lo and behold, no sooner the Rosary ended, the rains also subsided. It was a miracle indeed.
The cultural dance competition was nothing but a joyous, heart-throbbing, and enchanting show of the tribal culture. The youngsters were attired in the traditional tribal outfit. Mandar, dhol, Nagada, bow and arrow, Mayur painkh (peacock feather), ghoongru and all kinds of traditional musical instruments and ornaments worn and used by the youngsters was a sight to cherish. The judges for this cultural event were Rev. Fr. Manohar Khoya SJ, principal of St. Ignatius Inter/High School, Gumla, Rev. Sr. Hirmina Lakra, Principal of Ursuline Inter/High School, Gumla and Rev. Sr. Freeda of St. Anne’s Social Centre, Sitara, Gumla.
The following day again began with the Eucharistic Adoration. Fr. Nicholas Tete SJ, former principal of St. Xavier’s College, Ranchi and the present Rector/superior of St. Ignatius Jesuit community at Gumla, was the main celebrant for the Eucharistic Celebration for the day. He presented the different challenges faced by the young people like unemployment, migration, displacement, depression, self-fulfillment, relationship issues, fashion and digital media addiction, consumeristic mentality etc. He told the young people that they would have to follow the clarion call of the Holy Father to swim against the current of the present times.
Fr. Shilanand Kerketta, provincial delegate of Youth Ministry department, the one in charge of the youth ministry activities of the province, took a session on the call to happiness for the young people as envisaged by the Rector Major. He emphasized on the fact that to be happy one has to be deeply rooted in God and in the devotion to Mother Mary and the sacraments.
The afternoon session had a very different atmosphere. it was dedicated for the tribal fashion and fusion contest. The young people showcased their tribal identity by wearing specially designed tribal wear and by walking the ramp.
The evening of the 7thOctober saw an altogether different atmosphere. The evening rainy ambient prepared the youngsters to be part of a spiritual experience. Fr. Deepak Kindo, the one in-charge of Bosco Milan 2022 and Fr. Punit Kujur prepared them with prayers and devotional singing for the Sacrament of Confession. The youngsters poured out their hearts in the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
On the 8th of October, the day began with the Eucharistic adoration. Fr. Shilanand Kerketta, the youth Ministry Delegate was the main celebrant. In his homily he presented Mother Mary as a model to be followed. She was one who obeyed God’s command. Fr. Shilanand also spoke about different ways by which one can hear the voice of God like, the Bible, parents, elders, personal prayers, the events of ones’ life etc. “Alive or dead, we belong to God. Therefore, we must seek to do his will and not ours”, he said.
The much-awaited prize distribution ceremony took place after the breakfast. And the winners are :
Cultural Dance competition:
1st – Jokbhala
2nd – Jumaikela
3rd – FMA Sahera
Bible Quiz Competition
1st – Bariatu
2nd – Kokar
3rd – Jumaikela
Tribal Fashion and Fusion
1st – Kokar
2nd – Bariatu
3rd– Jokbahala & Nazafgarh
Kudos to Fr. Deepak Kindo, the Provincial Coordinator for Social Experience Dimension and his core team and the community of Don Bosco, Gumla for their meticulous planning and execution of the event. Everything was well organized. The youngsters really loved the well-prepared meals. It was indeed a matter of pride to see the young people who form part of the core team of Social Experience Dimension taking the leadership roles and conducting different programmes under the leadership of Fr. Deepak Kindo. The presence of many Salesians and the members of the Salesian family also added flavour to the event. Fr. Shilanand Kerketta, the Youth Ministry Delegate was present throughout the event making sure that everything goes well. It is also to be noted that the cooperation of St. Ignatius Jesuit community and the Sisters of St. Charles Borromeo community was praiseworthy. Overall, Bosco Milan 2022 succeeded in achieving its purpose. Praise be to God. Viva Don Bosco.
Fr. Ashoka Chere