This year is the conclusion of the bicentenary of Don Bosco’s birth. Celebrating 200 years of Don Bosco’s birth is special for the Salesians who have marked the event with various activities and programmes. The Salesians at Bosco Boys Home, Borivali too have started a special initiative – entering into a partnership with Yamaha Motors to open a Yamaha Two-wheeler Motor Training School on its premises. This initiative is to promote and encourage economically weaker youth to acquire technical knowledge and expertise, thereby supporting them to secure employment at Yamaha dealerships. Technical experts from Yamaha Technical Academy – the company’s training division will be providing support in conducting the YTS program by continuously training the trainers as well as the students.
On 8th September, 2015, on the day of the Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Bosco Boys’ 
Home was spruced up and decorated all over with red and white balloons, which are the colours of the Yamaha logo. An arch of red and white balloons was prepared at the entrance of Bosco Boys’ Home to greet the Yamaha dignitaries – Mr Masaki Osano, Managing Director, Yamaha Motors Sales India (Chennai) and Mr Ravindra Singh, Vice President, Strategy & Planning. A Salesian team of Fr Anthony Santarita (Rector of Bosco Boys’ Home), Fr Anaclete D’Mello (Director, BSVS) and Fr Savio Silveira (Vice Provincial, Mumbai Province) welcomed and greeted the Yamaha dignitaries when they arrived at Bosco Boys’ Home at 11 am. After a brief tete-a-tete, Fr Santarita led the dignitaries to the Yamaha Motor Training School. Mr Masaki Osano cut the red ribbon declaring the Yamaha Motor Training School open. Mr Masaki Osano and Mr Ravinder Singh were shown around the room where various bikes and tools were displayed.
The whole party then proceeded up to the auditorium for the formal programme. The auditorium was packed by the students of BBH, Salesian Cooperators, and parishioners of St John Bosco, Borivali. Mr Joseph D’Souza, compered the programme ably. He invited Fr Jeffrey, Principal of Bosco Boys’ Home to begin the programme with a prayer service. Fr Jeffrey said a short prayer, which was then followed by three readings from various Scriptures – Holy Quran, Bhagavad Gita, and Guru Granth Sahib – by three Salesian Cooperators. A tall brass diya was then lit by Mr Masaki Osano, Mr Ravinder Singh, Fr Savio Silveira and Fr Anthony Santarita. The dignitaries were then presented with a shawl and a bouquet of flowers. Few boys of Bosco Boys’ Home then proceeded to brighten the stage with some light entertainment. First was a rendition of the Hindi film song, “Aa chal key tujhe main leke chalun, ek aise gagan ke thale”, by Fr Santarita and a few boys to the accompaniment of guitar music. It was followed by a fusion dance performed by boys and girls of Hospitality Management course.
It was then time for some speeches. Fr Savio Silveira, Vice Provincial, took the stage and addressed the gathering. He spoke about Don Bosco, his love for youngsters and his training the poor, abandoned youth with life skills. Fr Savio also mentioned how Don Bosco wanted the Salesian institutions to be in forefront of progress, and with this in view, it was commendable that Bosco Boys Home have tied up with Yamaha Motors India, one of the leading two-wheeler manufacturers in India. Mr Masaki Osano then addressed the gathering, remarking that it was a privilege for Yamaha to tie up with Bosco Boys’ Home in this venture. He hoped that this training school would be of immense benefit to youngsters and that the boys would wear the Yamaha training uniforms proudly. Finally, Mr Osano distributed the Yamaha Training uniforms to the young boys who have enrolled for the two-wheeler training course. Snacks and refreshments were distributed to the audience. The afternoon concluded with photographs session and a spirit of bonhomie. May Don Bosco continue to guide and inspire us in our mission!
