Mumbai, March-2023: The Don Bosco Development Society (DBDS), Mumbai organized the Certification Distribution Ceremony of the Advance Skills in Tailoring and Beauty Care held under the aegis of MGL Disha Project. The program was organized at the Bianchi Hall in the Don Bosco International School Building. 

Fr. Edwin D’Souza (Rector- Don Bosco Shrine) and Fr Vinod Mascarenhas (Rector-Don Bosco Provincial House) graced the occasion with their presence as the Chief Guest and the Guest of Honour respectively. Fr George Miranda (Executive Director-DBDS) supervised the operations and management of the entire event. 

The program started with honoring the Don Bosco by garlanding his portrait and lighting the lamp by honorable guests, staff and lady students. A short prayer was held to invoke the blessings of the almighty. The event saw the presence of more than 150 lady students and their family members. 

During the event 20 best students who were selected based on a merit-cum-vulnerability matrix received Beauty Parlour kits by the hands of Fr Edwin D’Souza (Rector- Don Bosco Shrine). Speaking on the occasion he congratulated the successful students and encouraged them to make use of the kits in improving their income, grow and do good for the society. Similarly another 20 best students received sewing machines with motor by the hands of Fr Vinod Mascarenhas (Rector-Don Bosco Provincial House). In his address Fr Vinod thanked Mahanagar Gas Ltd and congratulated the students. He explained the difference between Kaabil (Qualified) and Kamyabi (Success) and suggested them to become Kaabil and Kamyabi will follow.  

During the event many student groups presented dance items, fashion show, ramp walk to add glamour and entertainment to the entire ceremony. A display of the items learnt and prepared by the students during the training was also kept to showcase their hard work and quality of work. 

Two students shared their success stories; Ms Pramila Kurade spoke on the hardships faced by her in bringing up two children and taking care of family with meager income of her husband. She narrated how she met one of the social worker of DBDS and how she encouraged her to undergo advance skills training in Beauty care which has today increased her household income by Rs 20,000/- per month. Ms Noorapsi Usmani who underwent advance tailoring skill training thanked DBDS and MGL for running the classes free of cost. She shared that the classes has raised her confidence and has resulted in increasing her income also.  

The program concluded with the vote of thanks by Fr George Miranda (Executive Director-DBDS). He expressed his deep gratitude towards Mr Sushant Rout ( Sr Manager-CSR ), Mr Pinakin Vaghela (Manager-CSR) and CSR team of  Mahanagar Gas Limited for supporting the project. He further thanked Fr. Edwin D’Souza (Rector- Don Bosco Shrine) and Fr Vinod Mascarenhas (Rector-Don Bosco Provincial House) for accepting the invitation and gracing the event with their presence and Fr Ajoy Fernandes (Director- Don Bosco International School) for providing the venue to hold the event. He also thanked the staff of DBIS, staff of DBDS, volunteers, participants and audience for their contribution to the programme.

Ms. Surekha Pednekar (Project Officer-DBDS) was the chief presenter of the event and managed the stage and schedule of the program. She was assisted by the staff members in the overall operation and management of the event.