Alumni Liaison Don Bosco Relic Visit

Fr C. M. Paul, SDB *

Some members of Don Bosco Alumni Dimapur province Federation with delegate Fr. C. M. Jose. Secretary Dr Stephen Kamson at the centre with coat and tie, while President Mr. Francis Solo on the right with tie.

Dimapur: In a major organizational feat, Don Bosco Alumni Dimapur provincial federation liaisoned with Salesian Family, governmental and non-governmental agencies, organizations and communities during the 26 day and 89 venue St John Bosco Relics pilgrimage through northeast India. The first leg of the India tour of the relics started in Imphal (Manipur) on 29 April and concluded on 24 May at Dimapur Provincial House after covering four states and six dioceses.

The Dimapur province Alumni Federation which started 30 years ago in Tamenglong (Manipur) today has 10 units with some 800 members.

"The Alumni, well placed in all walks of life, together with Don Bosco Schools did an immense work to mobilize the entire district administration, wherever the relics visited," said the Relics Tour coordinator Fr Jose Palely.

"If it was not for them, Don Bosco Relics would not have reached places like Ziro, Doimukh, Borduria and Khonsa in Arunachal Pradesh where foreigners are not allowed," said Fr Palely recalling Herculean task of getting travel permits for three Italian escorts of the relic into Arunachal Pradesh which has in act a 33-year old Freedom of Religion Bill restricting Christian activities in the state.

Speaking to ucanews.com Fr Palely had special words of appreciation for Apathani (name of a tribe) Alumni who took Don Bosco to Ziro in Arunachal where there is no Don Bosco Institution. He adds that Alumni are a "mixed group of Christian, Hindu, Muslim, Jain and Animists."

"The members at the unit levels took initiative to get permission to hold rallies and processions, as well as ensure Police escorts and media coverage," said Alumni provincial secretary Dr Stephen Kamson, Senior Divisional Medical Officer with the Northeastern Frontier Railways Dimapur.

The Relic was escorted by a motorcade comprising of State Traffic Police, State Police Car, 25 motor cycles, a Naga Warrior escort, about a hundred vehicles including the dignitaries and many high official Alumni of Don Bosco.

The joined efforts of the Provincial Federation and Dimapur Unit of Don Bosco Alumni obtained the Government's approval for installing a life-size statue of Don Bosco in the heart of Dimapur town to commemorate the visit of the Relic to Dimapur, the Salesian Head Quarter of the province.

Commenting on the massive welcome Don Bosco Relic received from people, Alumni Federation President and Commissioner & Secretary of Higher and Technical Education, Govt. of Nagaland Mr Francis Solo said "We projected Don Bosco not only as a holy man, but also as courageous young boy who took on challenges of growing up as a fatherless child."

"More importantly," Mr Solo added, "how he evolved through those challenges to dedicate his life for the young, the marginalized, the street urchin, the vagabonds and juvenile delinquents."

"Many of us have spent lakhs of rupees to visit the Relic of Don Bosco in Turin, Italy. Thanks to one right judgment [by the Rector Major] and lakhs of people have seen and benefited by the visit of the Relic to their home town," said Dr Kamson.

"More physical presence around the Relic could be possible but for the 'Religious tint," said Dr Kamson said lamenting organizational preoccupations which prevented his quality time with Don Bosco Relic!

He further suggests "screening of Don Bosco movies for priming the general public on the social reformer and saint could create greater anticipation and participation in receiving Don Bosco physically and spiritually."

Today, 234 of his sons and hundreds of the members of the Salesian Family (Salesian Sisters, Missionary Sisters of Mary help of Christians, Salesian Cooperators and Don Bosco Alumni)., continue Don Bosco's mission in Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Nagaland and Upper Assam.

Besides activities directed at the betterment of the poor and needy youth, the remotest Alumni Federation successfully hosted the Indian National Council Meeting at Kohima in 2008 and the Indian National Congress and Centenary Celebrations of the World Confederation at Itanagar in 2011.

While 8 members took part at 9th Asia-Australia Congress of Don Bosco Alumni held in the Philippines in 2008, eleven members took part in the World Congress of the Don Bosco Alumni held in 2010 at Salesianum, Rome. In both, Dimapur contingent were the largest from an individual province!

Related Photo Gallery on the St John Bosco Relics pilgrimage

• St John Bosco's Relic :: Part 1 :: Galllery
• St John Bosco's Relic :: Part 2 :: Galllery
• St John Bosco's Relic :: Part 3 :: Galllery
• St John Bosco's Relic :: Part 4 :: Galllery
• St John Bosco's Relic :: Part 5 :: Galllery