(ANS – Guwahati) – The Management Council of Don Bosco Communications (BOSCOM), South Asia, consisting of 14 delegates from the different provinces of India, met at Kharguli, Guwahati, on 25-26 April to discuss the role of the commission in South Asia Region and plan for some upcoming events.

By Fr Bivan Mukhim, SDB

Fr Maria Arokiam Kanaga, the Regional Councillor of South Asia who was present at the meeting, spoke to the members and said that the Salesians need to give a new dimension to the communication ministry in South Asia Region. “We need to create a writer’s forum to make the Salesians in India heard,” he said. “We need to keep in mind the changing scenario in the communication sector and come up with alternative and innovative means of ministry. While making the local ministry more effective, common ventures with specific thrust areas each year are also important. The bicentenary year of Don Bosco’s birth is a great opportunity for the commission to think out of the box and come up with new plans and projects that address the problems and challenges faced by the new generation.”

At the outset of the meeting Fr Joaquim Fernandez of the province of Mumbai and secretary of BOSCOM, took charge of the Office of the Regional Delegate for Don Bosco Communications South Asia, having been appointed to that post by the SPCSA, as Fr Antony Earathara had completed a term of three years.  Fr A. Raj, the editor of the Salesian Bulletin, from the Province of Tiruchi, was then elected as the new Secretary of BOSCOM South Asia.

Some of the deliberations made during the management Council meeting touched the following points:

1. The role to be played by the communication commission in the two big events that are coming up as part of the bicentenary celebrations of Don Bosco`s birth, in New Delhi and Kolkata. A six-minute video will be prepared to be screened on the occasion, showcasing Don Bosco and the Salesian works in South Asia, and some of the illustrious Salesian alumni.

2. Re-designing and giving a face-lift to the regional web portal for the conclusion of the bicentenary celebrations.

3. Appointing a seasoned editor to edit Bosco Information Service (BIS) news so that the news reports will reflect better quality in terms of news writing.

4. Plans to revamp the Salesian Bulletin (English edition) as presented by Fr. A. Raj, its editor.

5. Holding a multi-city film festival - Don Bosco Bicentenary International Short Film Festival of India (DBBiSFFi) - towards the conclusion of the bicentenary celebrations.

6. Appointment of a full timer to co-ordinate communication ministry of the region, with an office in New Delhi.

Published 29/04/2015