TURA: The Salesian Province of Guwahati Garo Hills region organised a Gospel Singout Competition at the Don Bosco College in Tura on Saturday to commemorate the arrival of the first Salesian priests of Don Bosco in North East over a century ago.
Tura Lok Sabha MP Agatha Sangma graced the occasion as the chief guest along with Bishop Andrew Marak of Tura and Rev Fr. Januarius S Sangma, Provincial Salesian Province of Guwahati as the Guests of Honour.
A colorful programme was held as part of the three-year preparation for the centenary of arrival of the Salesians of Don Bosco to the North East (1922-2022).
Altogether 15 teams took part in the competition. Floral tribute was also paid to the educator friend of the young St. John Bosco on his 204th birth anniversary which happened to be on August 16.
Addressing the gathering, Agatha Sangma highlighted the importance of singing and praised her brother and Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma as a person full of passion for singing. She spoke of the contributions of the Salesians towards education in North East. She mentioned how her father, late Purno A Sangma was educated and brought up by the Salesians of Don Bosco. She also handed over citations, certificates and prize money to the winners of the singing competition. Bosco Mount in Rongkhon won the first prize while the second and the third prize were bagged by students of Don Bosco College Higher Secondary students and Auxilium Tura respectively.
Speaking on the occasion, the Bishop of Tura, Rt Rev Andrew R. Marak, also presented a number enthralling the audience with his singing skills.
Fr. Januarius S Sangma, Provincial in his speech, mentioned a brief history of the first Salesian priests and brothers who came to Northeast India and also spoke on a brief history of the missionaries who came to preach and work in the Garo Hills region.
