MATUNGA, AUGUST 6, 2011: The units of the Federation held their AGM on July 31, 2011, at the Provincial House, Matunga Mumbai from 10.00 am. There were forty six members present with a representative and delegate from Chottaudepur and the Delegate from Chinchwad. The Lonavla and Pune Units excused themselves.
Mr. Joseph Gomes led everyone into prayer; the President Mr. Ketan Gala welcomed the gathering, the Chief Guest Fr. Ajoy Fernandes, the Vice Provincial, and our newly appointed Delegate Fr. Wilfred D’Souza. In his welcoming address, Fr. D’Souza greeted the gathering and profusely thanked the outgoing Delegate Rev. Fr. Elias Dias for the wonderful work done all these years, with total dedication.
Fr. Ajoy Fernandes, the Delegates and the members from Nashik and Gujarat were felicitated with a bouquet of flowers. The Provincial Report was read out by the Secretary Mr. Wenceslaus Pinto. The Provincial Accounts were read by the Treasurer Mr. Joseph Gomes. The individual units presented their reports. The ex Delegate Rev. Fr. Elias Dias in absentia, was then given a standing ovation of thanks and appreciation for the marvelous work done for the last seventeen years.
Rev. Fr. Ajoy Fernandes a past pupil himself spoke on the unity of PP (Past Pupils). Seniors as well as the juniors together congratulated the Federation for all the reports and for maintaining the accounts well; and appreciated their active participation at the National and the Provincial level. He spoke on the Relic of Don Bosco which is the Hand that comforted and blessed millions of people; it comes now through the streets of Mumbai to bless us. He then invited the PP to look at different dimensions of: (1). Education & Culture, (2) Spiritual formation that contributes to life, (3) Fellowship and Groups with their families bonding relationship, (4) Physical Elements like the Games bonding togetherness.
Our Delegate Fr. Wilfred D’Souza said that PP is part of the Salesian Family, which has twenty eight branches, eight of which are there in India. He called for the family members of the PP to get involved; for bonding as batch mates with their past teachers; and for present SSC Students to be introduced to the Federation. Files and registers are to be well maintained. Encourage the PP in local areas to enter civil and political life example, the BMC and other public bodies. After the visit of The Relic of Don Bosco, continue the enthusiasm as we move to celebrate the bicentenary of the saint’s birth in 2015 and see how we can make Don Bosco known through the Media.
The meeting concluded at 12.15 pm with a Vote of thanks proposed by our President Mr. Ketan Gala.
