Royal D'Souza KURLA, DECEMBER 18, 2008: It was yet another proud moment for the Don Bosco Institute of Technology (DBIT) as a group of 14 w
omen from the bastis within the Kurla and Ghatkopar area successfully completed the Basic Computer Learning course conducted by this institute. All the women are members of different Self Help Groups under the government’s SJSRY scheme. This course began on November 5, and concluded with a valedictory function on December 17. This was the fourth batch of women to undergo computer training since the launching of this project by DBIT. A total of 72 women have now acquired computer skills over the past five months through this outreach programme. The Chief Guest for the valedictory function was Fr. Savio Silveira, from the Province Development Office. Also present for the occasion were Ms. Shubha Benurwar, Community Development Officer, Poverty Eradication Cell, BMC, and Dr. Joag, Principal of DBIT. Addressing the gathering, Dr. Joag congratulated the women for their achievement. He said that it was indeed courageous of them to enrol for this course. He assured the women that the computer skills they had acquired would definitely be of use to them as they move on in life. Speaking next, Ms. Shubha Benurwar thanked DBIT for initiating this project. Citing her own example, Ms. Benurwar said that she had joined a computer course after her daughter had embarrassed her by referring to her as “computer illiterate” in front of some guests. She further told the women that they could now use their computer knowledge to maintain their SHG records. Fr. Savio complimented DBIT for coming 
up with this innovative project. He said that it was refreshing to see a different type of skills training for the women rather than the regular stereotype programmes normally held for the SHG members. He too congratulated the women for successfully completing the course. After the speeches, certificates were distributed to all the participants. Tokens of appreciation were also given to the COPA students from the St. Joseph’s Technical Training Institute who had assisted in this training course. The function came to a close with Mr. Royal D'Souza, DBIT Outreach Programme Officer, proposing the vote of thanks.