by Cl. Rudolf D'souza
CHINCHWAD-PUNE, DECEMBER 9, 2014: Saturday 6th December 2014 witnessed the blessing and grand inauguration of the Rasquinha – Don Bosco Technical Training Centre at 6.00 pm at Waki 
Khurd, Chakan, near Pune amid much fanfare. The new institute consists of two buildings: The Multi-Skill Training block and the Hostel, the former being funded and equipped by Electropneumatics and the latter - which can house 200 boys - by Knorr Bremse Global Care.
The inauguration was attended by 700 – odd people comprising of priests, religious, employees of Electropneumatics and their families, Staff and pupils of Don Bosco Vyawasaik Prashikshan Kendra (DBVPK), Chinchwad and the residents of Waki Khurd, Chakan. The Chief Guests for the occasion were: Bishop Lourdes Daniel, Fr. Ajoy Fernandes and Mr. Thomas Lipertt from Knorr Bremse.
The ceremony began with the welcoming of the guests and the lighting of the lamp. A brief introduction of the Training Centre and Hostel was given by Ms. Ingrid Rasquinha, the Joint MD of Electropneumatics. This was followed by a welcome song performed by the students of Pius Memorial School (PMS).
Mr. Anthony Rasquinha, the Chief MD and Chairman of Electropneumatics, then addressed the gathering. In his address he expressed his motivations behind his collaboration with the Salesians of Don Bosco and the building of the Training Centre. He desires that the institute benefit many uneducated and unskilled youth of the locality.
He also expressed regret for the lack of enthusiasm from the part of local communities who do not send their children to school or vocational training either due to financial reasons or plain ignorance. The succeeding address was given by Rt. Rev. Bishop Lourdes Daniel who besides acknowledging his long liaison with the Rasquinha family also congratulated the Salesians and others for their endeavour towards the poor and marginalized youth who will be the true beneficiaries of this venture. 
Among others who addressed the gathering were Mr. Thomas Lipertt of Knorr – Bremse, Fr. Ajoy Fernandes, Vice Provincial of the Salesian Province of Mumbai and Mr. Sudam Kachole, Sarpanch of 10 Rohkal village, Chakan. The speeches were interspersed with musical performances by Mr. Ashley Rasquinha, Joint MD of Electropneumatics who played guitar instrumental, dances by the students of Pius Memorial and the pupils of DBVPK who mesmerized the audience with their sprightly Warli dance.
In his vote of thanks, Rev. Fr. Corlis Gonsalves, Rector of DBVPK, Chinchwad thanked in a special way Ms. Julia Thiele Schürhoff, Head of Knorr Bremse Global Care Foundation and Mr. Anthony Rasquinha for their generosity which made it all possible. The Multi-Skill building was then blessed and inaugurated by Bishop Lourdes Daniel followed by the blessing and inauguration of Hostel building by Fr. Ajoy and Mr. Thomas Lipertt. The Multi skill building is currently equipped with conventional and modern CNC and Lathe machines, welding equipments, automobile training equipments and computers with other courses in the offing.