13TH NATIONAL BOSCOREE OFFICIALLY LAUNCHED
by Cl Arun Mendoca
NASHIK, JULY, 7, 2017: Around 350 Scouts and Guides from various Salesian schools of the Mumbai Province, along with Salesian priests, sisters and brothers from the communities in Nashik, participated in the official launch of the 13th National Boscoree, an all India gathering of Scouts and Guides from Salesian schools, on July 3 at Don Bosco High School, Nashik.
Salesian institutions in India have enthusiastically celebrated the Boscoree once every four years since it first began in 1974. This edition of the Boscoree is being hosted by the Salesian Mumbai Province, and will take place at Nashik from December 30, 2018 to January 3, 2019.
Rt. Rev. Lourdes Daniel, Bishop of Nashik diocese, was the chief guest for the occasion. Addressing the gathering, he encouraged the Scouts and Guides to cultivate a healthy mind and a healthy body, which would enable them to live a happy life. “You are the masterpiece of God’s creation,” Bishop Lourdes Daniel reminded the youngsters present. “You can bring glory to God by taking care or your body and mind, and by living in harmony with one another and all of creation” he added.
Police Commissioner Dr. Ravindra Kumar Singhal, IPS, was the guest of honour for the event. He shared his personal experience with the Scouting Movement and thanked the Scouts and Guides for their valuable contribution to society. He reminded the youngsters that they have a responsibility towards serving the society and building up the nation.
Father Ian Doulton, the Boscoree Camp Chief, spoke elaborately on the significance of the theme ‘Health, Harmony and Holiness’. “This theme takes into its wake all that we Scouts hold dear and what we have promised when we entered this illustrious movement,” said Father Doulton. Concluding his message to the gathering, Father Doulton said, “It’s time to begin… To put ourselves on the starting blocks ready for the task ahead. We are privileged, and we need to shoulder this responsibility… but we are not alone… The entire region of Don Bosco Scouts of the Western Region is going to work together… To bring to the Don Bosco Scouts of India the glory, grandeur and the greatness of this awesome city Nashik”.
The Salesian Provincial of Mumbai, Father Godfrey D’Souza, then unveiled the Official Logo of the 13th National Boscoree, while Sister Philomena D’Souza, FMA powered the official website - www.boscoree2018.in - thus launching the Boscoree and declaring the registrations open.
In keeping with the theme of ‘Health, Harmony and Holiness’, the logo features a dove, which represents harmony, a green branch to represent a healthy lifestyle, an outline of Western India, representing the Mumbai province, a white background, which represents holiness. The words ‘Health-Harmony-Holiness’ in the logo signify the great commandment of Love: of God, others and self! Don Bosco and Baden Powell, also feature in the logo, and represent the two great icons for young people today.
The programme concluded with the students of Don Bosco Nashik presenting a well choreographed song that aptly depicted the theme of the Boscoree.