Relaxation, Fun, Exploration

Hurray! It's time to have some fun. Our hostel boys of Bal Niketan, Sirsa had their annual picnic on 1 February 2017. The boys were filled with lot of enthusiasm and joy as they explored various places in Punjab. We visited different religious places such as the recently inaugurated beautiful church of Our Lady of Assumption, Talwandi Sabo, the Holy Rosary Church at Bathinda, the historical GurudwaraShri Damdama Sahib and the Gurudwara Sri QilaMubbarak Sahib, inside the Bathinda fort.

Fr. Domnic Dias (Parish Priest of Holy Rosary Church, Sirsa), Regent Kennedy Fernandes and Mr. Harjeet Masih (Bal Niketan Warden) put their minds together to ensure a very enriching trip for the boys. The boys not alone had a refreshing outgoing, but they were also enlightened about the historical and religious significance of the nearby areas. Visiting the rose garden adjacent to the Bathinda Cantonment, the boys spent the time there participating in varied interesting games and fun activities. Well done, Fr. Domnic, Regent Kennedy and Mr. Harjeet!

A Celebration of a Fulfilling Formative Year 2016-17

'Bal-Niketan Divas', the annual day of Bal Niketan was celebrated on 2 April, 2017 in the Bal Niketan Compound. The Chief Guest for the function was Dr. Lal Gaddai (MBBS, MD) and the Guest of honor was Fr. John M. Fernandes (Provincial Superior, Delhi Province). The presence of Mrs. Anu Gaddai (wife of Dr. Lal Gaddai), Fr. Diogo D'Souza (Local Superior, Sirsa Local House), Fr. Menino Gomes (Parish Priest, St. Anne's Church, Rania), veteran missionary Fr. Marden Pereira and members of the priests and sisters community was very motivating to the performing youngsters. The parents of the boys, benefactors and well-wishers were also the esteemed guests present for the function.

The program was well coordinated by Regent Kennedy Fernandes and Mr. Harjeet Masih (Bal Niketan Warden). The program began with a welcome song 'Swagatam' composed by Regent Kennedy Fernandes. The welcome song was followed with a prayer service and the lighting of the lamp by the dignitaries. The inaugural welcome was followed with the performance of two soothing instrumental pieces, 'Janam Janam' and 'Pal Pal Har Pal' from Bollywood movies Dilwale and LageRahoMunna Bhai. A choral piece, 'Jamaican farewell' was melodiously performed in three voices. The annual report of 2016-2017 was later read out by Regent Kennedy Fernandes.

The highlight of the day was the recorded play 'Who is My Neighbour?'. Written and directed by Regent Kennedy and Mr. Harjeet, the play was based on the parable of the Good Samaritan. The play took aspects of the context of the times and attempted to impress the audience about the sublimity of being neighbours to those in need of our love and care. The video flashback of the events of 2016-2017 was another interesting item that brought joy in the hearts of the youngsters looking back at the year gone by; and to the rest of the audience it was a delight to know about the many activities that take place for the growth of the Bal Niketan boys. The hip-hop and bhangra combination dance item on the mixer was a much awaited exciting program which the boys were eagerly looking forward for. The prize distribution ceremony was quiet lengthy. Prizes for competitions such as Handwriting, Drawing, Singing (solo and group), Carol Singing, for Games (Carrrom, Chess, Football), etc. were distributed.

The Chief Guest addressing the gathering expressed his sincere and deep appreciation for the selfless service of the members of the Society of Pilar. He appreciated the generosity of the members of the Society to volunteer to work in the not so well developed and unknown places and carry out many good works; one such commendable work is running the Bal Niketan home for the orphans, destitute and the marginalized boys. The Chief Guest promised to give a free medical checkup for the boys and would provide all kinds of medical assistance for the hostel. The Guest of Honour, Fr. John M. Fernandes in his address said that the Society of Pilar helps the poor not out of its abundance, but out of their sacrifices and hard work. Quoting Late Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam (former President of India) he urged the boys to dream big, work hard and be good persons in the society. The program ended with the Pilar Anthem followed by a fellowship meal.

The Zing-feel visiting Zirakpur and the Zoo …

Two interesting groups – formees of the Orientation Course boys and BalNiketan boys of Bathinda joined for an outing to Zirakpur. They were accompanied by Fr. PioRego (Director of the Formees), Regent Sushil Xalxo and Bro. Abner Kispota (from the Disciples of Don Bosco). The boys had lots of fun all through the journey. There was prayer, dance, songs and roars of laughter. Reaching Zirakpur made most of them tired, but taking near and distant glances of the wild and caged animals kept alive their interest to wonder which animal would amuse them the most.

Earlier, the boys were prepared with some team-building dynamics. The two groups had a combined outing on Makar Sankranti day on the St. Xavier's school grounds. The harvesting festival of Makar Sankranti is preceded with days of lively music played all around as kite flying enthusiasts engage in flying kites as high as possible or be involved with the kite fights in the air. Fr. Pio addressed the youngsters of BalNiketan and motivated them to make their own kites (instead of purchasing them from the market) and let them fly high. Fr. Pio urged them to be creative, self-reliant and fly high in their life. The BalNiketan boys competed with the formees in the kite flying competition and later played a cricket and a football match too.