by Brother Sheldon Dias
CHHOTAUDEPUR, JUNE 24, 2017: Over 200 past pupils of Don Bosco Chhotaudepur in Gujarat relived their days at the institution as they attended a joyful school reunion 
on June 11.
The past pupils committee along with Brother Ramesh Durairaj contacted the school alumni in all earnestness, in and around Baroda and Chhotaudepur in a bid to organise the reunion and the old boys accepted the invitation by attending the fun-filled memory-laden extravaganza in their numbers.
The old boys were welcomed in the traditional way by dancing the traditional Rathwi dance in procession from the sister's place to the Don Bosco compound. The dignitaries were welcomed with a shawl and some flowers. The attendees were happy to have Father Stanny Ferreira, Brother Melvyn Carvalho from Alirajpur, Father Charles Anthony, Father Ajit Munis from Kawant and Father Pravin Makwana from Narukot in their midst.
The gathering witnessed the participation of a wide variety of 'Don Bosco products' ranging from engineers and doctors to people still working on their farms. The Salesian charism was very evident and many came forward to speak of their experience with the Salesians, which changed their lives.
Scholarships were awarded to students who topped the standard 10 and 12 board examinations of all the Salesian schools in the Chhotaudepur district. Brother Durairaj introduced all the members of the past pupils committee. The alumni were asked for suggestions as to how they could benefit from the past pupils association.
Father Ferreira then spoke about preserving the Rathwa culture and language and many supported him. Later on there was a short discussion on how the old boys could help Don Bosco in their mission. The meeting ended with the nomination of contact persons for each cent re and the group dispersed with the desire to carry forward the initiatives that had already begun.