Seminar On Salesian Educative System Held In Kolkata By KNOTS CorrespondentKolkata, Sep. 30. On 28th September, 2013 a special seminar was held for the Salesian Family members of South Bengal Region at Don Bosco, Park Circus, Kolkata on ''The Preventive System of Don Bosco''.The Seminar was organized by the Salesian Province of Kolkata in collaboration with the Department of Education, Salesian College Sonada and Child Care Institute, Don Bosco Ashalayam. The main resource person was Fr. (Dr.) Jerry Thomas, SDB.
After the lighting of the lamp, Fr. Joseph Pathickal, Rector Don Bosco Park Circus welcomed all the participants numbering around four hundred, inviting everyone to ''celebrate'' the Preventive System of Don Bosco. Fr. Thomas Ellecherail, Provincial in his key note address underlined the importance of the Preventive System - our heritage as the ''common bond'' that the Salesians and the Staff of Don Bosco institutions need to study and apply in the present day situation.
Dr. Jerry Thomas,in two sessions, through his lively interactive talks, highlighted the issues the young have to face in various settings as social, political and economic in relation to the Preventive System which has made their lives so different. The conventional concept of education was challenged, Don Bosco's idea of forming good Christians and honest citizens was emphasized and modern day condition of ''the orphans'' of busy parents was explored.
The afternoon session was taken by Mr. Mrinal Banerjee and Mr. Alok Chaudhuri with the assistance of Fr. George Chempakathinal and Fr. Saju Puthussery. With a reliable statistical database collected from a wide range of ''educational homes'' the point was made clear that the lack of love in the lives of young people makes them very vulnerable.
During the brainstorming session in groups, the participants highlighted the practical aspects of the session they needed to take home, like ''the students do not care how much you know as to how much you care.''
The seminar was intended to prepare for the meaningful celebration of the bicentenary of Don Bosco's birth, to have a deeper understanding of Salesian System of Education ''The Preventive System'', to understand how Don Bosco's Educative System is a fitting response to today's youth related issues and to propose to young people the Salesian Educative System as a positive methodology.