(MissionNewswire) The Platinum Jubilee of Don Bosco School Liluah was held the first week of Dec. celebrating 75 years of service. Religious, social, cultural and sporting events involving current and past students as well as area locals were held as part of the celebration.

Festivities began with the blessing of a statue of Don Bosco in front of the school’s auditorium and the opening of a basketball court and a children’s park. Early in the week a debate was held on the educational system in India and whether it has failed the nation.

According to the World Bank, between 2003 and 2009, the number of out-of-school children declined from 25 million to eight million in India. When children lack educational opportunities, it is often due to issues of caste, class and gender.

Don Bosco School Liluah is a primary, secondary and technical school for youth. Students learn skills and trades to find employment and a path out of poverty. The technical coursework offered includes mechanical engineering, training in medical transcription, embroidering and dress making. Close to 500 students attend classes at the school.

Don Bosco School Liluah has been awarded The Telegraph School Award for The Best Academic Performance by a School in 2007, 2010 and 2011. Over the past years, the school has grown to be one of the best academically performing schools in Kolkata.

“All youth deserve a chance at a better life,” says Father Mark Hyde, executive director of Salesian Missions, the U.S arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco. “At Don Bosco School Liluah we help youth take responsibility for their own lives by providing them the skills to find and keep a job to support themselves and help their communities.”

As the festivities continued to celebrate the great work of Don Bosco School Liluah and the many achievements of its faculty and students, there was also a charity event held to help close to a thousand homeless people in the area. Food and blankets for the upcoming winter were distributed.

Later in the week, a series of interschool competitions and quizzes were held for students to highlight their knowledge and hard work. As the event was coming to a close, there was a concert attended by about 10,000 people. Singer Usha Uthup spoke on stage of her close association with the Salesians since her childhood in Mumbai. The event ended with a celebratory mass on the Feast of the Immaculate Conception presided over by Bishop Laszlo Kiss-Rigó, a former student of the school.

“The Salesians have a long history of helping to educate youth in India,” adds Fr. Hyde. “Seventy-five years is a tremendous milestone and our work continues here and in many other countries helping youth find a path out of poverty and a better life.”

Sources

ANS – Platinum Jubilee of Don Bosco School, Liluah

Don Bosco School Liluah – Website

Salesian Missions – India