Mumbai, Dec. 28. The 13th National Boscoree, a gathering of the Don Bosco Scouts and Guides is all set to commence in Nashik from 30 December 2018 through to 03 January 2019. Organised by the Salesian Province of Mumbai Province, 4815 participants, are expected to participate in this mega extravaganza, themed 'Health, Harmony and Holiness'.
Scouts and guides from Maharashtra, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Assam, Punjab, etc., including those from Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Pondicherry and Nepal are participating in the event. A massive total of 141 units from 22 states and 2 Union territories from the Salesian and FMA institutions belonging to the 12 provinces of India will experience living in 200 tents spread over 16 sub-camps. Don Bosco and Kilbil schools along with Divyadaan Salesian College of Philosophy, Salesian Training Institute, Sacred Heart Training Centre and Maria Vihar will be hosting this mega event.
The catchy BOSCOREE Anthem penned by Father Savio Silveira sdb is set to music by the famous musician Louiz Banks. Singers Father Sunil Pinto, Archana, and the students of Don Bosco International School - Matunga blended their voices under the guidance of sound engineer Neil D'Souza. The anthem is choreographed by the scholastics at Divyadaan Salesian College of Philosophy Nashik.
The BOSCOREE 2018 will be a 'green' event without flex banners, plastic cutlery, styrofoam decorations, etc., in keeping with the pledge to stop polluting the environment with one-use plastic. Decibel levels during the entire event will be monitored closely, ensuring that sound and noise pollution is minimalized.
The 13th National BOSCOREE will be remembered for a lot of records. A total of 4564 participants (2067 Scouts, 1547 Guides, 169 Scout Masters, 137 Guide Captains, 111 Salesians, 42 FMAs, 477 Host Province team) from 141 Institutions belonging to 22 Indian States, 2 Union Territories, and 2 Countries will be under 200 tents spread over 16 sub-camps from 30th December 2018 - 3rdJanuary 2019! Eight sub-camps have been allotted for 77 Units with Scouts and Guides, three sub-camps have been set aside for 22 Units for exclusively Guide Companies and five sub-camps will accommodate 42 units having Scout Troops.
Father Glenford Lowe, Programme Coordinator BOSCOREE 2018 says ''planning for and preparing the programme for the Boscoreehas not only been a humungous enterprise but an exercise in endurance, expertise and excellence, and I am happy to share this journey with all the scouts and guides, most especially with the youth and lay collaborators together with the young Salesians in formation.''
Father Godfrey D'Souza, Mumbai Salesian Provincial in his message says, ''Don Bosco would tell his youngsters to run, jump, shout, dance and have fun but not to sin. The purpose of scouting is to actively engage and support young people in their personal development, empowering them o make a positive contribution to society. May this Boscoree and this togetherness help each one to expand their horizons through rich interactions and may your colours bring out the beauty and the grandeur of India that is made up of a variety of peoples yet ONE.''
Sister Rita Dora Thomas, Mumbai FMA Provincial welcomes the participants with, ''you have the joy of staying together, sharing, caring, and living out the objectives of scouting and guiding [...]
The inauguration is to take place on Sunday 30th December 2018 at 3.00 pm by His Lordship Bishop Lourdes Daniel, Bishop of Nashik Diocese, in the presence of Dr. Shri Ravindra Kumar Singhal, Police Commissioner of Nashik.