By Matters India reporter
Nashilk, Dec. 28, 2018: More than 4,800 Salesian scouts and guides from around the country are scheduled to congregate at Nashik, a holy city in Maharashtra state, for their annual national gathering titled, Boscoree.
Organized by the Mumbai Province of the Salesians of Don Bosco, the 13th Boscoree has chosen the theme, ‘Health, Harmony and Holiness.’
As many as 4,815 people have registered for the five-day mega extravaganza that opens on December 30.
Bishop Lourdes Daniel of Nashik will open the meet in the presence of ShriRavindra Kumar Singhal, Police Commissioner of Nashik.
A total of 141 units from 22 states and two Union territories from the Salesian and FMA institutions belonging to the 12 provinces of India will live 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 host the event.
The BOSCOREE 2018 will focus on the impression that the scouts and guides leave on society and environment around them.
The program committee has set out the following objectives for the meet: To promote a healthy lifestyle, to build harmonious bridges with people and environment, to become noble and holy souls, to radiate the Salesian charism of Don Bosco and St. Mary Mazzarello, and most importantly to give the scouting movement greater visibility across India.
The organizers say the meet will give young people an opportunity to learn about the Love of God, Love of Neighbor and Love of Self from the theme.
Don Bosco Green Alliance coordinator Macson Almeida says the “BOSCOREE 2018” will be a ‘green’ event without flex banners, plastic cutlery and decorations in keeping with the pledge to stop polluting the environment. Decibel levels during the entire event will be monitored closely, ensuring that sound and noise pollution is minimalized, he added.
The alliance is an international collective of young people from Don Bosco institutions and organizations that contributes to global environmental protection.
Father Glenford Lowe, program coordinator BOSCOREE 2018, says the planning for the meet has been a “humungous enterprise” that requires an exercise in endurance, expertise and excellence. “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,” he added.
Mumbai Salesian provincial Father Godfrey D’Souza, in his message for Boscoree, recalled that Don Bosco would tell his youngsters to run, jump, shout, dance and have fun but not to sin.
He further says, “The purpose of scouting is to actively engage and support young people in their personal development, empowering them to 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.”
Mumbai Provincial of the Salesian Sisters Sister Rita Dora Thomas, welcomes the participants with, “you have the joy of staying together, sharing, caring, and living out the objectives of scouting and guiding.”