Don Bosco Vaduthala

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Don Bosco Vaduthala is the centre of the Salesian mission in Kerala, for nearly sixty-six years from its establishment in 1956 to the present.

History[edit]

Saint John Bosco, commonly known as Don Bosco, started his mission among youth^[1] in 1841 in Turin, Italy. In order to carry on the work that he started there, he founded a religious congregation which is known as the Salesians of Don Bosco. The Salesians spread out to different parts of the world to carry out the mission of Don Bosco, and thus reached India too.

In the early years, the Salesians in India were mainly involved in Assam, Bengal and Tamil Nadu. A good number among them were the priests and brothers from the state of Kerala. Thus the Salesians extended their mission to Kerala. Vaduthala, at that time, was one of the most backward areas in the state as there were acute problems of illiteracy, poverty and thuggery. This encouraged them to choose Vaduthala as the centre of their activities.

Thus, the Salesians initiated their work for youth at Vaduthala in Kochi in the mid-90s. The then Salesian Provincial, Rev. Fr. Pianazzi S. D. B.; The Late Archbishop of Verapoly, His Grace Dr. Joseph Attipetty; Rev. Monsignor Alexander Landhaparambil, the then Vicar General of Varapuzha Archdiocese; Vicar, V. Rev. Monsignor Francis Chammini and V. Rev. Jerome Payyappilly O. C. D. made the initial steps to establish a Salesian house in the locality. In order to carry out the acquisition of land and other formalities, a French Salesian priest, Rev. Fr. Francis Guezou S. D. B., came to Vaduthala in June-July 1956. The procedures to establish a Youth Centre began under his leadership. Thus on 15th August 1956, which is the Feast of the Assumption of Mother Mary, Don Bosco Oratory was inaugurated by His Grace Dr. Joseph Attipetty. Br. Varghese Menacherry and Br. Louis Panikulangara assisted Rev. Fr. Guezou in his mission. Later, Rev. Fr. John Anthraper S. D. B., Rev. Fr. K. C. George S. D. B. and Bro. K. J. Thomas joined this mission.

In 1958, Rev. Fr. K. C. George S. D. B. was appointed as the first Rector of the centre and an aspirantate was established to recruit and provide initial training to seminarians. This aspirantate remained at Vaduthala till 1982, until it was later shifted to Aluva.

Identifying unemployment and poverty as the major problems of the area, they started Don Bosco Technical School in with an aim to impart job oriented training to the youth. In the initial stages, the school provided non-formal training to the youth in carpentry, welding, machinist and other trades. In 1971, the centre got approval from the Government to start ITI courses in Fitter and Turner. In 1991, more ITI courses were introduced in trades such as machinists, DPES and Electronics. The Technical School at present has two sections- ITI and Workshop. In August 2005, the centre restarted the Carpentry Section for training and production. In 2008, an Advanced Welding Centre was established, which was inaugurated by V. Rev. Fr. Maria Arokiam Kanaga, the General Councillor for South Asia. It got international approval in 2009. Don Bosco Tech also provides Diploma in Hotel Management and MES (Modular Employable Skills). Recently, the school has started B. Com Degree course (private registration).

In 1983, a youth animation centre named Integrated Youth Development Centre (IYDC) was established for working amongst the youth in kerala. The centre conducts many programmes both at the centre as well as at different parts of the state.

Another milestone in the history of Don Bosco Vaduthala was the formation of the English Medium School in 1985. It followed the Kerala State Government syllabus initially, which was later discontinued in 1987 . Another attempt was made to procure recognition for the school and as a result, the school reopened in September 1991 with Standard V. Eventually the school was able to procure recognition for Standards V, VI and VII. Later, the school’s efforts to procure permission to begin a high school section proved futile. At this point, the school decided to go for the ICSE Board, New Delhi. In 1996, the school received no objection certificate from the government, which enabled to add the nursery and LP sections. In 1997, the school received provisional recognition from the ICSE board and in 2002 it began plus two courses which included Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology and Computer Science. Later in 2007, Commerce group was also started.

On 2nd January 2013, Rev. Fr. Thomas Anchukandam S. D. B. laid the foundation of an aquatic complex and on the same day, Rev. Fr. Provincial blessed the newly constructed Thattazham L. P. School, which was inaugurated by Prof. K. V. Thomas, The Central Minister of Food. On 29th January, which is the death anniversary of Rev. Fr. Francis Guezou, Rev. Fr. Provincial blessed and laid the foundation stone for Fr. Guezou Memorial Community Hall.

Types of Apostolate and Services Offered by the Salesian Community[edit]

• Don Bosco Youth Centre
• Don Bosco Technical School^[2]
• Don Bosco Tech Workshop^[3]
• Don Bosco Higher Secondary School (ICSE)
• Don Bosco English Medium LP School
• Don Bosco Play School
• Semi Parish (Chapel of Our Lady of Thattazham)^[4]
• Salesian Cooperators
• Don Bosco Past Pupils
• Vincent De Paul Society
• Marian Sodality
• ADMA
• Jesus Youth
• Charismatic Prayer Group
• Choir Group
• Sunday School

Don Bosco Youth Centre[edit]

Don Bosco Youth Centre, also called The Oratory, is one of the first initiatives of the Salesian community of Vaduthala, Kochi. Late V. Rev. Mon. Francis Chammany, who was the Parish Priest of Mount Carmel, Chathiath came up with the idea of the centre. His Grace Archbishop Attipetty, the Rt. Rev. Mgr. A. Lenthaparambil and V. Rev. Fr. Jerome O. C. D. also contributed to the establishment of the centre.

Founded in 1956 by Rev. Fr. Francis Guezou S. D. B.; along with Rev. Br. Louis Panikulangara S. D. B. and Rev. Br. Varghese Menacherry S. D. B.; the Youth Centre stands for the youth of the locality.

On 29th February 1967 the foundation stone for Don Bosco Hall was laid by V. Rev. Fr. L. Di Fiore S. D. B., the then Salesian Provincial of Madras. This hall was later inaugurated by His Grace Dr. Joseph Attipetty, The Late Archbishop of Verapoly. On 15 th August 1980, the Kerala Home Minister, Hon. T. K. Ramakrishnan, inaugurated the silver jubilee celebrations of the Youth Centre. Many seminars, art and literary competitions, tournaments and sports competitions were conducted as a part of it.

Presently the Youth Centre, functions with the help of a well-established governing body. The Youth Centre has till date been doing service in the fields of social work, academic, educational, humanitarian and philanthropic. At present, Don Bosco Youth Centre Vaduthala stands as a centre for youth in the city of Kochi^[5].

Activities of the Youth Centre[edit]

• Jubilee marriage Help Fund
• Diamond Jubilee Homes
• FLTS during Covid19
• Covid Vaccination Centre^[6].
• Food for Covid Victims
• Chellanam Project
• Youth Centre Covid & Onam Kits
• Vayomitra
• Vaduthalolsavam

Don Bosco Technical School (ITC)[edit]

When the Salesians first reached Vaduthala, there were acute problems of unemployment in the locality, which led to poverty and thuggery. In order to find a solution to this problem, the Salesian community unofficially began a non-formal Technical School in 1962. In 1964 Rev. Fr. Pianazzi S. D. B., the Provincial of Madras during that time, inaugurated the current technical school officially.

Don Bosco Tech functioned as a non-recognized private technical school from 1966 to 1970. In 1971 the centre got approval from the government to start ITC courses. More ITI courses were introduced in 1991. The Late Archbishop of Verapoly, His Grace Dr. Joseph Attipetty, officially inaugurated the carpentry section of the school on 29th February 1966 .

At present five trades are taught. Most of the students undergoing training in ITC courses are from Vaduthala locality. In the academic year 2005-06, the carpentry section with training and production was restarted. The previously run Sharon Academy is now called Don Bosco College. The school now offers training in multiple trades like Fitter, Turner, Electronic Mechanic, Machinist and Computer apart from diploma programmes in Fashion Technology, B. Com and Beautician courses.

Don Bosco Tech Workshop[edit]

Don Bosco Tech workshop was started as part of the Technical School to provide technical training. Tech workshop functions as a production unit and at the same time provides apprentice training to some youth in turner, milling, shaping, grinding, drilling, gear cutting, fabrication works and C. N. C. turning and milling. It also gives practical training to the ITI Machinist students. A new welding unit has also been attached to existing workshop. The workshop also provides its services to many small and big workshops in both public and private sectors.

Don Bosco Malayalam Medium L. P. School[edit]

Thattazham L. P. School was established on 11 th October 1924 with the objective of educating the poorest of poor children in the locality. In the beginnings it was under the management of the ancient Chathiath Parish with only Classes 1 and 2 running in Thattazham chapel. In 1956 the management was handed over to Salesians. Standard 3 was added in 1961, followed by Standard 4 in 1966; thereby raising it to the level of a complete primary school. The school celebrated its Golden Jubilee on 11 th October 1974. When the Salesians took over the management of the school, Rev. Fr. K. C. George S. D. B. served as its first Manager. He was succeeded by Rev. Fr. Philip S. D. B., Rev. Fr. C. C. George S. D. B., Rev. Fr. Varghese Menacherry S. D. B., Rev. Fr. James Edayadil S. D. B. and Rev. Fr. George Arimboor S. D. B. At present it is an aided school under the management of Salesian Don Bosco, Vaduthala.

Don Bosco Senior Secondary School[edit]

The English Medium School was established in the year 1985 by adding Class 5 and Class 6 in the next year. It followed the Kerala Government syllabus. Later the government cancelled the recognition of the school, along with other schools, in 1987. The then Head Master of the school, Rev. Fr. Varghese Pulickalayil S. D. B. made many attempts to renew the recognition. In 1991, the school was raised to the status of an Upper Primary School after Rev. Fr. Joe Fernandez S. D. B. took charge as the new Rector. After twelve years of repeated attempts, the school decided to go for the Indian Council for Secondary Certificate (ICSE) syllabus. Thus in 1997, Pre- Primary and Lower Primary Schools were established, which followed the ICSE syllabus. In the following years, it became a Higher Secondary School. In March 2000, the school got permanent recognition from the ICSE Board New Delhi. Now it’s a co-ed school running efficiently with around 100 staff members and over 1410 students from LKG to 12th standard^[7]. The majority of the students are from Vaduthala locality.

Integrated Youth Development Centre (IYDC)[edit]

Don Bosco Youth Services, otherwise known as Integrated Youth Development Centre (IYDC) has been functioning in Don Bosco Vaduthala since 16 th December 1984. Founded by Rev. Fr. Joe Fernandez S. D. B., it was established in the presence of the then Bangalore Provincial, Rev. Fr. Thomas Thayyil S. D. B. As the name of the institute suggests, it aims at the integrated development of the young. It includes retreats and programmes on God experience, the use of the Bible and the teachings of the Church. Tips from model psychology and counseling are also made use of. ‘Life line’, a career guidance and job placement wing also functions under the centre. The unemployed, poor youth register their names for a job and are placed in various job-centers. Weekend live-in programmes, one day programmes, week long seminars, training for competitive examinations, guidance, counselling, publication of aids in youth ministry, summer camps, study and research etc. are conducted regularly under the initiative of IYDC to empower youth.

The IYDC at present has Rev. Fr. Manu Nhondimakel S. D. B. as its Director. Along with the help of guest youth animators; they go to different parishes, schools and youth organizations and conduct animation classes for youth and youth animators.^[8].

Thattazhathamma Church[edit]

The Thattazham church, named after Thattazhathamma, which is another name for Mother Mary and situated in Don Bosco campus Vaduthala was established way before the arrival of Salesians and has been active since 1956.

A century ago, Vaduthala was an underdeveloped area under the Chathiath Parish in the northern part of Kochi. At that time, Chathiath church was governed by foreign missionaries named Carmelites. In 1850 they established a small chapel at Thattazham area and named it Leverment Mary’s Chapel. Later due to the difficulty in pronouncing the name, people began to call it Thattazhathamma, which can be translated as the Mother who resides at Thattazham area. There was a hanging lamp in the chapel which the devotees used to light and pray to Thattazhathamma, believing it would help expecting women in easy parturition. This lamp was replaced by the ever burning lamp which can be seen today infront of Thattazhathamma.

In the beginning of the 20th century (1900), the construction of a railway track began. This railway track passed through Thattazham area and so the chapel had to be relocated. Payyapilly Antony, a resident of the locality, contributed to relocating the chapel by building a new chapel in his property. Later a school started functioning near this new chapel, with only Classes 1 and 2, which is the present Thattazham L. P. School.

From 1850, Thattazhathamma’s feast was celebrated every year after Christmas, on the day of Holy Magi or the 13th Feast Day.These celebrations began in 1934 under the order of Archbishop Dr. Joseph Attipetty on 9 th December 1933. Later the procedures to establish another chapel began and the people of the locality, despite religion, participated in collecting funds for building the new chapel.

On 8 th December 1954, a third chapel was built and blessed. It was this chapel and the surrounding area which was handed over to Rev. Fr. Geuzou by the then Vicar of Chathiath parish, Mon. Francis Chammini, to establish a centre for Salesian activities in Kerala. Thus the Salesian mission began focusing on Thattazhathamma’s chapel. People began to experience Holy Mass and Holy Eucharist daily. Catechism classes, preachings, retreats etc. began to be organized regularly. Feasts of saints began to be commemorated with prayers. At present the chapel functions in full swing with groups for altar boys, choir group, solidarity groups for women and mothers, Vincent de Paul society, charismatic prayer group etc.

Don Bosco Sports Academy[edit]

Don Bosco Sports Academy is a professional sports academy in Kochi, Kerala and is the latest addition to Don Bosco Vaduthala. Established in the year 2016, the academy caters to providing regular sports programmes in football, basketball, aquatics, cricket, badminton, karate, chess, skating and more. The sports academy has been conducting summer camps for the past few years, giving training for more than 3000 children in sport activities. In 1956 a French Salesian priest Rev. Fr. Francis Geuzou S. D. B. first formed a football club in don bosco vadathala. Don Bosco Trophy Football Tournament was initiated way back in 1962 which was recognized by the Kerala Football Association^[9]. It is the oldest recognized football tournament in Kerala and the second oldest in India after Durant Cup. The tournament holds the record of being conducted without interruption since its inception 65 years ago. Gaining inspiration from this, Rev. Fr. Josh Kanjooparambil S. D. B. envisioned the Don Bosco Sports Academy which became a reality on 15 th August 2016. Don Bosco Football Academy which is a part of the sports academy, began functioning the same year.

References[edit]

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