BIS #1511 ORIENTATION IN THE TIME OF MALARIA

Chris Valentino sdb
MUMBAI, AUGUST 24, 2009
: The enthusiastic band of First Year ITI students of St. Joseph’s Industrial Training Institute at the DBCL Campus at Kurla, Mumbai braved the heavy showers and the general malarial onslaught to participate in a two-day orientation programme held on August 20 and 21, 2009. The programme was organized by the staff and faculty for the newcomers.

Commencing at 8:00 a.m. on the August, 20 with a prayer-reflection “itni shakti hume dena daata”, Fr. Richard D’Silva, Dean of SJITI addressed the students and extended them a warm welcome and a pleasant journey throughout their years of study. Quoting from the Mahabharata, he said: “be like Arjuna, whose focus and single-minded determination made him the king of archers.” The programme then continued with a short session of ice-breakers well-coordinated by Cl. Clayton D’Mello, who invited and animated the students to mingle among themselves and make new friends. The other sessions for the day included Campus Behaviour and Mannerisms, Rules and Regulations to be followed in the Institute, and a Movie-Discussion on the life and works of Don Bosco among other things.

The next day began with an assembly amidst thundering showers and lightning. Mr. Xavier Fernandes, the Principal of SJITI explained the universal prayer “Our Father” to the students, after which, the out-going Principal Mr. Amar took over. He briefed the students regards the various trades, the details of the Hand-book and also other formalities that would have to be observed in the Institute. After this hectic session, the students were taken on a guided Campus Tour organnised by Mr. Karl Pereira and the respective trade-instructors. The programme came to a conclusion with the distribution of the workshop-tools, uniform and personal safety equipment.

It was an enriching experience for both, the staff as well as the students right at the beginning of the academic year. Perhaps this feel-good factor will help to create a ‘SJITI Shining’ in the year ahead.