by Brother Jeswin and Brother Sheldon
MUMBAI, DEC 9, 2016: Five Salesian schools from Mumbai – with 50 participants each - took part in SYMBIOS, a youth event, held for the first in the Mumbai Province at the 
Don Bosco campus in Matunga on December 7 and 8.
Students from Don Bosco Borivli, St. Joseph's Wadala, Don Bosco Nerul, Dominic Savio Andheri and Don Bosco Naigaon participated in the junior youth event. The theme for SYMBIOS 2016 was 'connect, celebrate and commit'. The event helped youth to connect with the Divine, to celebrate the uniqueness of the people around and to commit for a good cause.
It gave them an opportunity to express their views and to make them aware of different issues. Several professionals from various fields were present and discussed topics like environmental issues, social causes, cultural diversity and physical upbuilding.
Ashok Rathod, of the Oscar foundation, conducted the sports workshop. Greenline under the guidance of Father Savio Silveira facilitated the eco club to create greener youth. The Pomegranate organisation helped the culturally inclined to express their talent and the youth were also made socially sensitive through awareness created on different social issues challenging our present times.
All activities at the event followed the theme. The youth expressed themselves through rangoli, gadget making, best out of waste, painting and clay moulding. It helped students interact with each other and to make friends.
Father Godfrey D'Souza, the Salesian Provincial of Mumbai, was present at the event. Father Silveira, the Vice Provincial, gave the concluding message, of keeping the Salesian Youth Movement going and growing. The event concluded with cultural presentations.
SYMBIOS 2016 was a first-time experience for the youth, not only in bringing them together, but also creating awareness and an enriching personal experience.