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On 16th July, 2020, Online Conference on ‘Pros and Cons of Social Media: Leaving a Digital footprints’ through Google Meet was organized for the students of Classes IX and X for an hour each. It was animated by Sr. Lucy Gangmei, Principal of Little Flower Higher Secondary School, Kohima, Nagaland.
Sr. Lucy explained about how to use the internet for good purposes and how to be safe and be careful on the internet. She encouraged us with these words “a student’s duty is only study and if we make use of the internet we can surely be someone great in the future”. She cited great successful personalities such as founders of social networking sites like Brian Acton and Jan Koum, Mark Zuckerberg, Abdrew McCollum, Eduardo Saverin, Dustin Moskovitz, Chris Hughes and many others who came up in life through hard work and continuous effort amidst struggles of their lives. With the means of power point presentation Sr. Lucy helped us to learn and remember some key points on the internet that are useful for us.
Sister also helped us to understand what is meant by Digital footprint and encouraged us to make good use of the means provided for us by technology and to fulfil the hopes of our parents. It was very a knowledgeable and memorable conference first of its kind for us students. It was really very enlightening to hear what she told us. We really enjoyed and have benefitted much from the conference. All the students – 40 in class IX and 33 in class X took part and enjoyed the event. It was a good and memorable experience to have first time online conference from home even during this pandemic lockdown of Covid-19.

The COVID-19 pandamic has put into an abrupt halt the much-needed face-to-face interactions with the young people. The prevailing circumstances have led us to step into the world of remote interaction via modern technology. To keep abreast with young people, Sr. Lucy Gangmei, Province Youth Ministry Delegate and the team memebers Sr. Chopfohra Emilia and Sr. Scolastica Kerketta organized an online video conference for the Local Youth Ministry Delegates on the 25th July, 2020 through Google Meet. A PowerPoint Presentation on Re-reading the Preventive System with the language of Human Rights was transmitted. This talk was earlier presented by Sr. Sarah B. Garcia FMA, during the video conference with the Sisters from Rome. Through this conference, we addressed the urgent need of Youth Delegates to go through a paradigm shift from face-to-face to virtual interaction with youths during the global lockdown. We were made aware that by way of inculcating modern technology and gadgets, we can accompany youths and become their guiding force once again. Some of the important tips which were suggested are creating WhatsApp group for hostellers, boarders, or any youth group as well as creating Catechism and Moral Science WhatsApp group where daily good thoughts, video on faith formation etc. can be sent. Counseling through phone and sending messages to keep in touch with students were also highlighted.
The session began with an opening prayer led by Sr. Chopfohra Emilia. After the session, the Sisters also had an enriching moment of sharing from the different communities. Each of us were given an opportunity to discuss in which way we can help the young people in our own creative way. The video conference concluded with a vote of thanks and prayer by Sr. Scolastica Kerketta.
We are indeed grateful to Sr. Lucy Gangmei, Sr. Chopfohra Emilia and Sr. Scolastica Kerketta, for taking this initiative. It was indeed an eye-opening conference where we learnt the benefits of the digital world.

Amidst the uncertain situation, God still works in His prophets of the time to fulfill His plans for His little ones whom He looked with love and called . The 24 enthusiastic and promising girls sent by the different communities in the Province came to participate in the Youth Care Programme conducted by the ING Youth coordinator Sr. Lucy Gangmei and the team members Sr. Emilia Chopfohra and Sr. Scholastica Kerketta. The program was scheduled for 17 to 20 March, 2020.

It was held in DBIDL where the team got its full support and encouragement from Fr. C T. Varghese SDB, the Rector, all the Fathers and the Sisters of Auxilium Convent Dimapur and Mazzarello Study Home. Sr. Vsasono Irene, Sr. Salome Gonmei and Sr. Stella Haokip also were there to help out in the animation of the girls.

1st Day: The girls were up by 5:15 and taken for a morning exercise followed by the Holy Mass celebrated by Fr. Salew Peter SDB. The girls were helped to reflect on the four types of vocations in the life of a person and the four different voices that comes to us. The day’s sessions were on “Know Don Bosco” and Discernment and Vocation” animated by Fr. Salew Peter and Sr. Lucy Gangmei respectively. There was also elocution time where the girls were helped to improve their English speaking. Don Bosco Movie was played while the girls went for an individual counseling with the Animators.  The girls greatly appreciated for being helped out and listened to. The day concluded with the Way of the Cross and the preparation for the Quiz on Don Bosco.

2nd Day: The second day brought about many surprises and wonderful experiences for the girls who enjoyed every moment. Mother Mazzarello was made known to the girls in a creative way by Sr. Lucy Gangmei and they were also given a glimpse of “The joy of Consecrated Life” by Sr. Emilia Chopfohra who in her best way helped the girls understand the way of consecrated life lived by FMA.   Mazzarello’s Movie gave a chance for the girls to get the taste of the FMA life. The girls were also given the opportunity to receive the Sacrament of Penance where they made peace with God. Due to the need of the hour the three days’ Program was shortened to two days where the need arose for all to depart for their own homes. The evening was one that of sadness and of gratitude and there were prize distributions, notes of gratitude voiced by the girls who greatly regretted for the sad news received . Nevertheless all were made to accept as coming from God who always plans the best for us. Everyone returned to their respective places safely with the hope that they get good results and come back to join the FMA to work for the young people far and wide.

FMA OF GUWAHATI PROVINCE IN ACTION IN THE COVID-19 CRISIS – Sr. Penny Rose Chinir FMA

 COVID – 19 pandemic which broke out in Wuhan, China in December 2019 has become a global issue as it has reached out to 209 countries and territories around the world. According to the statistics of 9 April 2020, it is reported 1425468 cases and 81939 diseased at world level. While in India 6637 have been confirmed, 5840 active, 598 recovered and 199 diseased. Due to this global pandemic, the 21-day lockdown in India resulted loss of livelihood amidst social distancing rules disproportionately affecting migrant workers, daily wage-earners, the urban poor and other vulnerable groups. The lockdown has rendered many jobless and penniless, leaving families without the basic necessities of daily survival; needless to mention about the anxiety and uncertainty looming large in their hearts. Hunger, lack of sanitary kits and loss of income has become the plight of many people in various pockets of towns and cities.

In solidarity with the Church and with the suffering humanity, the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians (FMA), also known as the Salesian Sisters of Don Bosco of the province of Guwahati under the leadership of Sr. Alphonsa Kurinsingal, provincial carried out various activities to the neediest. They are expressing their sense of solidarity and reaching out to the people who suffer the brunt of lockdown due to the COVID-19 pandemics in the states of Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland and Manipur, working in eight dioceses of the Northeast India.

In her circular letter, Mother General Yvonne Ruengoat  said that prayer becomes a tangible sign of witnessing love when it is actualized in action; it is all the more significant and meaningful when it is translated in accompanying the Church and the world in ways that are compatible to the signs of the time (cf. Cir. 995). Bearing in mind her words, Sr. Alphonsa Kurisingal and the provincialate community at Christian Basti, Guwahati responded to the clarion call of the present situations of COVID-19 by distributing packages to the poor families of the slum dwellers, migrants and daily labourers from 7 April 2020 onwards. Each package consisted of 5 kg of rice, 2 kg dal and 1 kg salt which have been distributed to 40 families, consisting of more than 200 people. It is done with an act of solidarity with the suffering brethren and a gesture of Christian charity without any distinction of caste, creed, culture and language. The Sisters continue to witness daily the plight of the poor people who have nothing to sustain their daily basic necessities and stand in queue to get something. “Their joys know no bound as they receive the little that they are being served. They return home with much gratitude” reported by Sr. Teresa Aibanti Narah.

Sr. Catherine Kannampuzha and community of Holy Child School Guwahati reached out to 120 families mainly, migrants, domestic workers, wage labourers and construction workers. They were provided with dry ration relief packages on 7 April 2020. Each relief package contained 5 kg rice, 2 kg cereal (dal) and detergents.  Sr. Annie Inchenat, director of Auxilium Reach Out, together with her team distributed masks for them simultaneously.  

The community of St. Mary’s Guwahati under the animation of Sr. Bridget Chittappanattu reached out to a group of daily labourers who could not go home due to the lockdown and they had neither food nor money. So they gave 10 kg of rice, two kg of dal, 5 kg of potatos and 2 kg of sugar each along with a cash of Rs 3000/- (three thousand) The community also contributed to the fund of Guwahati Gana Seva Society an amount of Rs 20,000/- (twenty thousand only)  by bank transfer.

The humanitarian services provided by the Salesian Sisters of Guwahati province  as documented in the FMA Provincial Office, so far, 30,000 (thirty thousand) masks have been stitched and distributed. The beneficiaries are the migrants and other poor families who live in the tea gardens, slums and interior villages where the Sisters work in the different parts of the of the North east region.

There were 74 volunteers to stitch 30,000 masks in the 10 houses of the FMA Guwahati province: 1) Auxilium Troncati Home, Sonabheel Tea Estate, Bokajen, Assam, 2) Auxilium Convent, Village Bodofa, NWGWR (Kodomtola), Assam, 3) Auxilium Convent, Dotma,  Assam, 4) Auxilium Reach Out, Chandmari, Guwahati, Assam,  5) Little Flower School, Dibrugarh, Assam, 6) Auxilium Convent, Bordumsa, Arunachal Pradesh, 7) Little Flower training Centre, Kohima, Nagaland 8) Auxilium Convent, Shajouba, Manipur 9) Sneha Bhavan, Imphal, Manipur and 10) Auxilium Convent, Maram Centre, Manipur.

The community of Little Flower School, Dibrugarh also contributed 200 masks to Mr. Prakash Topno, Municipal Office Staff Dibrugarh.

 On 8 April 2020, St Joseph’s Convent, Tezpur under the leadership of Sr. Ashiho Kaini Maria reached out to the neighboring daily wagers and families who have been affected by the pandemic lockdown. The Sisters distributed to each one a package consisting of 5 kg of rice, 1kg of dal, 3 kg of potatoes and masks. A contribution of Rs 15,000/- was also given in collaboration with the diocese of Tezpur in the partnership wake of who in joining the raising of chief minister’s fund to fight against the covid-19 pandemic. Besides praying and monetary help in collaboration with the dioceses and co-operation with the government, the FMA make every effort to fight against the global corona virus pandemics and gives its humanitarian services for the cause of the humanity especially the poorest that have been affected by the pandemic lockdowns.

Diamond Years …Glory to God

The Pigment of one year of preparation was the Diamond Jubilee celebration of the School which was celebrated amidst great hue and colour. The 13^th March 2020 dawned with Diamond rays of the sun, bringing its warmth of love and joy for the Diamond jubilee .Fitting tribute was offered to God for his unfailing love and faithfulness upon the Institution. It attained the height of a cultural grandeur, as the items presented by the students remained of really high quality, which attracted immense appreciation of all concerned.

The function was set from 9.30 am up to 1.30pm.The Celebration was not just a panorama of cultural events, but of course much more than that. It was in reality a splendid occasion for the students to thank God for His marvelous ways and inculcate to learn about an array of things- patience, penetration, practice, perseverance and dedication. To give a thought to the crises and need of present days, the theme of the Jubilee was entitled’ Rejoice! Celebrate!

The celebration was graced by Hourable Chief Guest, Sr. Alphonsa Kurisingal, Mother Provincial as the District Commissioner was unable to be present. The Cheerful and encouraging presence of   Fathers from Don Bosco Tangla, Dimakuchi, Kumarikatta,and our dear  Sisters from the 4 houses of  Guwahati, Tezpur, Solabasti, Udalguri have added joy to everyone.  The programme was inaugurated with lighting of lamp. The atmosphere was filled with a heavenly aroma with a serene song on Christ the light of the world.

The uniqueness of the celebration of Auxilium Tangla was befittingly displayed that all the students of the school, starting from class Nursery to class X presented their beautiful items, through various attractive modes. Qualitatively, the items differed in the least. Besides the dances, mime and songs, a skit on Down to the Memory lane of Auxilium was also displayed   by the Moral Science and Catechism students, which added dimension to the celebration.

The speeches of all the speakers of the event provided us with huge inspiration. They noted with graciousness the hardship involved in all the items, for which the students of our school deserve a credit. The guiding role of our loving Sisters and teachers was particularly mentioned in their speeches, which was a great honour for all of us. We thank God profusely for the wonderful way in which the celebration was organized. The parents and all present were served with snacks. After the programme all the fathers and sisters were invited for the lunch to the sisters’ residence. Indeed the day was adorned with scintillating entertainments and jubilant wishes from all the fathers and our Sisters, parents and well wishers. We consider the success of this Jubilee as a miracle because as soon as we finished the celebration ,the State Government asked to shut down all Educational Institutions  due to the scary disease, Corona virus fast spreading around the world. Hearty Congratulations Auxilium Convent High School Tangla. May you continue to produce good citizens of heaven and earth. We continue to count and re-count God’s tremendous blessings through the pioneers because today we are enjoying the fruits of their planning and vision that they envisaged years ago. Long Live Auxilium Convent High School Tangla!

The Salesian Sisters, students and staff of Little Flower Hr. Sec. School, Kohima – Nagaland are marching ahead keeping in tune with the world wide movement of saving Mother Earth. Along the way, the school was presented with a certificate for the ethical collection and channelization for recycling of e-waste by Hulladek Recycling Pvt. Ltd. Riding under the banner, “Hungry for Waste”. Hulladek Recycling Pvt. Ltd is currently India’s leading authorized company in e-waste management.

Instead of disposing electronic and electrical wastes in dumpsters, the school authorities took a more responsible approach on how to manage the school’s e-waste. Since discarding electronic devices and appliances irresponsibly can be hazardous to health, the only secure way was to put these scraps into safe hands like Hulladek. Thus, Little Flower Hr. Sec. School received the Certificate of E-Waste Recycling for donating 60 kgs of e-waste on the 18^th December, 2019. In their endeavor to fight the global environment issue, the school refused monetary compensation for this simple yet responsible preventive act.

In their quest to inspire and foster the notion of a green and sustainable future, the school introduced the “I Can” movement in the year 2019. With this initiative, the school fraternity and students were educated on the environmental crisis and how to address the bigger picture. As a yearlong project, and continuing to 2020, the “I Can” project made the students more aware of the grave danger ahead of them. In order to spread awareness of the critical environment issue, the students took it upon themselves to move the society by performing various community work such as cleaning public areas and historical places in and around the Kohima District. These gestures by the students gained the media’s attention and many have applauded the school for their commendable work.

Furthermore, “I Can” project introduced in the school gained recognition at a national level and were asked to register with DFC (Design For Change) India. DFC is a global platform where children are driven to change their own communities for the better with the I Can spirit. Design for Change believes that children of today are the stakeholders in the Earth’s future. They seek to help these children to become more sensitive to their surroundings. The collaboration between Little Flower Hr. Sec. School‘s “I Can” project and Design For Change can jumpstart the school’s ambition to build a community of responsible citizens. This can enable the students to bring about a more positive change to their environment. In addition, the school successfully made its campus and locality Plastic Free Zone. The school highlighted the urgency to create a clean environment for the people of Nagaland with this move and introduced cloth bag by NSS (National Service Scheme) Club in the school.

As the new academic session 2020 commences, Little Flower Hr. Sec. School‘s authorities, students and staff are striving to actively participate in more activities which will help create awareness to save our environment, as well as help create a world free of pollution and environmental issues for the generations to come and work along with “Together We Can, Co-create a Common Home” the slogan of FMA India.

Sam Phram (Thailand). A celebration of colors, encounters, smiles, emotions imbued with the Salesian charism, characterized the beginning of the 2^nd Asian Congress of FMA Past Pupils. The Congress, which began on October 9 at 5 pm in San Phram, saw the presence of 95 participants from the 7 Provinces of India, Japan, Korea, the Philippines, Cambodia, Myanmar, Vietnam, Australia, and Thailand that hosted the event. Sr. Khrasi Mary Nelia and Ms. Prathana Goswami participated in it.

Theme of the meeting: “Open mind, attentive listening, for a future of hope” which, from the face and expressions of the participants, already constitute a reality and a happy promise for the future. The ceremony opened with a beautiful procession of all the Federations, each with its own characteristics, preceded by a group of young people and Thai children dressed in clothes typical of the Country who accompanied this moment with a dance.

The message of Mother Yvonne, read by Sr. Maria Luisa Miranda, Councilor for the Salesian Family, reached the hearts of all as an encouragement and a recognition of the work of the Past Pupils of this continent rich in promise and challenges. Then, there was the greeting of Sr. Maria Luisa who praised the excellent organization of the event, welcoming all the participants and inviting them to use these days to study the charismatic roots, consolidate friendly relationships, and grow in commitment to the world. In turn, the following expressed their welcome and good wishes for the Congress: the Provincial, Sr. Nipha Agnese; Sr. Gabriela Patiño, World Delegate: Sr Ratana Agnese, Delegate of the Thai Federation: Ms. Manasawee Wongpradu, Confederal Councilor for the Asian region.

After supper, the day ended with the Good Night of Sr. Maria Luisa who, through the projection of two videos that showed the meaning of educational generativity and accompaniment, highlighted the importance of being generative, as the Association of FMA Past Pupils has been up to the present.

Andaman- a land of corals; a place of exquisite beauty where one can see the beauty of Nature at full play and we at St. Mary’s Higher Secondary School, Guwahati  planned for an educational trip to this beauteous island for the class XII students. An educational trip is a fun filled opportunity for students to come out of their classrooms and have a real-life learning experience. As such after much considerations and planning, we arranged for a 5 day academic tour to the Andaman Islands from 18^th-22^nd August 2019 of a group of 41 members i.e. the Principal, two teachers, 36 students, the team manager and his companion.

The bright day of the 18^th of August 2019 saw the excitement and hopes of 41 souls at play as all of us anticipated this much awaited trip. A trip from Assam to Andaman, across mountains and the sea. The trip started off fair and well, as we boarded the aircraft which took us to our first stop of this trip- Kolkata. An overnight stay with good food and lodging charged all of us sufficiently as we proceeded for the rest of the trip on 19^th August at 4 in the morning. We took pleasure when we saw our elaborate and prolonged planning take actual shape as we boarded our flight to our main destination i.e. Andaman.

As the sight of the Veer Savarkar International Airport drew close, all the students were bubbling with joy at the thought of the events and fun that awaited them. We got down from the aircraft and proceeded towards our hotel which was a comfortable arrangement completely suited to our likes. After allotting the students to their respective rooms, we proceeded for breakfast after which the tour of the day began.

Bundling ourselves on the tour vehicles, the trip started with our first visit being to the Samudrika Naval Marine Museum which is run by the Indian Navy. Located at Port Blair, this popular museum has a wide range of installations with informative coverage of the island’s ecosystem, plants, animals, tribal communities and marine life. This museum also includes a small aquarium that houses various collections of fishes with the coral room being a sight to behold. We also came across the skeleton of a blue whale that was washed ashore. From there, we proceeded towards the Anthropological Museum where there were extensive details about the geographical location, topography, climate and culture of the land as well as about the Aboriginals with a model house depicting how they live and their equipments were kept. Then we moved towards the main significant location of the island; the colonial prison whose name is significant with that of the island– the Cellular Jail. Initially known as Kala Pani, the remote island was considered to be a suitable place to punish the Indian freedom fighters and life prisoners. The prisoners lived in extremely harsh conditions with inhumane treatment meted out to them. The dingy conditions of the cells, the prison dress and chains and a walk through the corridors was enough to send a chill down the spine as the thought of the brutality against the prisoners come to mind.

A quick trip was taken back to the hotel for lunch as the best part of the day awaited, being the Corbyn Cove Beach. An hour and half was spent which was filled with laughter and fun where the students enjoyed to their hearts content. After freshening up, we again proceeded to the Cellular Jail for the Light and Sound Show which is aimed at telling the whole information about India’s Heroic Freedom Struggle and the story of the history at Cellular Jail. This show of 45 minutes brings to light the saga of miseries and pain which is brought alive inside the jail compound. The entire show brings up the dark history of the islands and reminds us why these beautiful islands were once called Kala Pani (black water). After the show, we went back to the hotel where all of us flopped down on our beds after dinner.

The day of 20^th August held trips to few other islands near Andaman, each a unique attraction on their own. After breakfast, we started out to the Rajiv Gandhi Water Sports’ Complex which is the main pathway to go to the islands. We boarded the boat, tightened our life jackets and proceeded towards the Ross Island, now officially renamed as the Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Island. Named after Captain Daniel Ross, the island was a colonial base and is a primary tourist attraction because of its historic ruins which include the Chief Commissioner’s House, swimming pool, water treatment plant, church and cemetery. It was drizzling all throughout but it did not douse the energy of the students and we moved towards the next island being the North Bay Island. This island is an important place to visit since the lighthouse seen at the back of a 20 Rupee Indian note is from the North Bay Island. At the island, a number of water activities are offered like scuba diving, snorkeling and glass boat rides since this island is the main place from where we can view the magnificent coral reefs that Andaman is famous for. We opted for the 45 minutes Dolphin Glass boat ride and it was an enthralling experience to be able to see the corals and the marine life it holds from such close quarters. Soon afterwards, we returned back to the hotel for lunch and some rest. The evening saw a short trip to the market place and we retired early to the bed as the events of  following day was to start at 3:30 in the morning and it required tremendous energy.

21^th August started at 3:30 a.m. as we had to proceed to the highly guarded and restricted area of the Aboriginals of the Andaman Islands known as the Jarwas. The entry into the area is permitted at specific times as the vehicles are allowed to pass through with heavy security accompanying them. We reached in time for the first entry at 6 a.m. We made our way through 50 kilometers of thick forest area in an extremely rainy weather and the exit came up to a jetty from where we had to take a streamer to go across the water. The streamer took us to the other bank for our visit to the natural Limestone cave. We divided ourselves into groups of ten to fit in the boats which took us to the cave. The half hour long trip was enthralling as we went through storms and strong winds. We reached the cave through mangrove creeks, all drenched and the students had a long walk ahead of them, from the entrance till the cave. The walk was very tiresome as it was raining, the path being muddy and slippery but the sight that it led us too was worth the trek. The limestone cave with all its different types and forms was a beautiful manifesto of Nature’s beauty and ability. And then we walked back the same way again to where the boats were which took us to the jetty. Upon reaching there, we were taken to see the Mud Volcano by road which erupted in around 2005 and is a natural physical feature of the island. We had our lunch there and proceeded back to the main jetty on a streamer. We again had to go though the restricted area and on our way back we spotted several Jarwas. Around 7,we reached the hotel extremely tired, but glad that we had a fulfilling trip. And on 22^st August we got up bright and clear for our homeward journey. Bidding farewell to the hotel employees for their hospitality and boarded our flight back to Kolkata and from there to Guwahati which we reached at 4 p.m.

The Island with its cleanliness, fresh, pollution-free air and daintiness makes it an instant appeal. The climate of Andaman is warm, humid and it was raining almost throughout the day. Though the sightseeing depends on weather conditions but our trip went undisturbed with the climate favoring us constantly. Thus, this trip to the picturesque Andaman Islands with its beaches, scenic beauty, weather and history was very experiencing, promising and memorable.

It is very aptly said “I learned to give not because I have much but because I know exactly how it feels to have nothing’. Helping others in their times of need is the greatest gift of Humanity. Little Flower Hr. Sec. School undertook this noble gesture to help the flood affected victims of Bahmari village, Lejaai Dibrugarh. Under the guidance and support of our Principal Sr. Tessy Davis, the teachers, parents and students as well as the past pupils joint hands towards this noble cause. The LFS family distributed packaged items to around 200 households in the village.

Flood relief 2019 (Items distributed)

1. Rice – 7kg
2. Dall – 2kg
3. Mustad Oil- I litter
4. Sugar -1kg
5. Salt – 1kg
6. Cheera ½ kg.
7. Haldi powder
8. Biscuits
9. Mosquito net
10. Mosquito coils 1 packet
11. Sanitary pads
12. Soaps
13. Drinking water
14. Maggie Family packs
15. Milk packets
16. Dettol
17. Cotton
18. Fruits

The distribution of the items was done at Sankar Madhan Prathanik Namghar, a social space where the crowd gathered under the supervision of the Headman. A total of 20 students (including 6 High School Captains, 14 Hr. Sec. 2^nd year students) accompanied by our Principal and teachers distributed the items. The whole village gathered at the venue to receive aid as well as to offer their blessings.

The Children were enthusiastic and felt privileged and ennobled in bringing a smile to their suffering brethren.