Lyra Pinto BARODA, NOVEMBER 20, 2008: ‘Diwali ki masti, chalo karein dosti!’—in keeping with its theme, Don Bosco Snehalaya’s 8th Annual D
iwali Mela was certainly a day for fun and new friendships. The atmosphere was electric as the Snehalaya boys, who had been preparing for weeks, gathered together with friends, benefactors and more than 800 children from around the city to celebrate their special day, which also coincided with Children’s Day. The festivities began at 10.00 am with a welcome by Fr. Roger Jones, Director, who encouraged the participants to celebrate the day in the spirit of Don Bosco and 
Pandit Nehru, both of whom were devoted to the well-being of children. The Mela was then inaugurated by the Chief Guest Mrs. Linda Vanderwick, and the Guests of Honour Ms. Tina Chawla and Mrs. Dolcy Simon from the United Way of Baroda. The first event of the day was a colourful cultural programme put up by the children and volunteers from Snehalaya. The highlight of this show was the skit on communal harmony, which conveyed a strong message of peace and unity to the audience. As the event concluded, RJ Super Boy Ashish from RadioCity presented the children with gifts (including games, sports equipment and stationery), that he and his team had collected from their radio audiences over the past month. Next, the Chief Guest inaugurated the games stalls, where the children enjoyed themselves playing a variety of games for more than two hours. This was followed by a grand lunch for all the participants and the entire audience. The celebrations continued into the afternoon with a dazzling magic show, followed by an entertainment programme conducted by RJs Priyanka, Jane and Vikrant from Big FM. Finally, the children danced to their hearts’ content to the rocking music of F
r. Carlos and his boys, and our brilliant new DJ Fr. Brian Boothello. The day ended with the children setting the night ablaze with fireworks. Finally, as the vote of thanks was given by Mr. Patankar and the Mela wound up with the singing of the national anthem, all the children came away with the sense that they are loved, wanted and special. We sincerely thank all our friends, volunteers and benefactors, including ONGC, Mahindra and Mahindra Finance, RadioCity, Big FM, who helped make this day an unforgettable one for our children.
iwali Mela was certainly a day for fun and new friendships. The atmosphere was electric as the Snehalaya boys, who had been preparing for weeks, gathered together with friends, benefactors and more than 800 children from around the city to celebrate their special day, which also coincided with Children’s Day. The festivities began at 10.00 am with a welcome by Fr. Roger Jones, Director, who encouraged the participants to celebrate the day in the spirit of Don Bosco and 
Pandit Nehru, both of whom were devoted to the well-being of children. The Mela was then inaugurated by the Chief Guest Mrs. Linda Vanderwick, and the Guests of Honour Ms. Tina Chawla and Mrs. Dolcy Simon from the United Way of Baroda. The first event of the day was a colourful cultural programme put up by the children and volunteers from Snehalaya. The highlight of this show was the skit on communal harmony, which conveyed a strong message of peace and unity to the audience. As the event concluded, RJ Super Boy Ashish from RadioCity presented the children with gifts (including games, sports equipment and stationery), that he and his team had collected from their radio audiences over the past month. Next, the Chief Guest inaugurated the games stalls, where the children enjoyed themselves playing a variety of games for more than two hours. This was followed by a grand lunch for all the participants and the entire audience. The celebrations continued into the afternoon with a dazzling magic show, followed by an entertainment programme conducted by RJs Priyanka, Jane and Vikrant from Big FM. Finally, the children danced to their hearts’ content to the rocking music of F
r. Carlos and his boys, and our brilliant new DJ Fr. Brian Boothello. The day ended with the children setting the night ablaze with fireworks. Finally, as the vote of thanks was given by Mr. Patankar and the Mela wound up with the singing of the national anthem, all the children came away with the sense that they are loved, wanted and special. We sincerely thank all our friends, volunteers and benefactors, including ONGC, Mahindra and Mahindra Finance, RadioCity, Big FM, who helped make this day an unforgettable one for our children.