From January 27th to February 3rd, Don Bosco Chinchwad was abuzz with the spirit of competition and camaraderie as it hosted a series of tournaments in honor of the Feast of Don Bosco. The theme ‘Living the Dream’ resonated throughout the week, on the bicentenary anniversary of the dream of Don Bosco at the tender age of nine, which laid the foundation for his lifelong mission.

The institute came alive with the energetic thrum of footballs, the silent intensity of chess matches, and the creative flurry of drawing competitions. Students from various trades within the institute competed with zeal, embodying the essence of sportsmanship that Don Bosco himself would have been proud of.

The football tournament saw teams strategizing and executing plays with precision, each match a display of agility and teamwork. The chess tournament was a battleground of wits and patience, with participants showcasing their strategic acumen. Meanwhile, the drawing competition allowed students to express their artistic talents, bringing to life vivid images that captured the imagination of all who beheld them.

Throughout the tournaments, the lessons were clear: winning was not just about the score or the final piece, but about the respect for one another, the determination to do one’s best, and the grace with which both victories and defeats were accepted. The students learned invaluable lessons in sportsmanship, a quality that transcends the playing field and resonates in all aspects of life.

As the week of festivities drew to a close, the winners were honored in a special ceremony on January 31st, the feast day of Don Bosco. The awards were not just tokens of victory but symbols of hard work, dedication, and the spirit of ‘Living the Dream’. The ceremony was a heartfelt recognition of the students’ efforts and achievements, a moment of pride for the entire institute.

The Feast of Don Bosco at Don Bosco Chinchwad was more than a celebration of a saint; it was a reaffirmation of the values and dreams that he stood for. It was a week where the community came together to celebrate talent, perseverance, and the shared dream of creating a better future for the youth. On the feast day, the students also put up a short skit enacting the initial years of ministry of the Saint of Youth. The skit focused on how Don Bosco began to work for the ragamuffins of Turin and help them become good citizens of society and the Church.

In the end, the tournaments held at Don Bosco Chinchwad were not just about the games played but about the lessons learned and the community strengthened. It was a fitting tribute to the legacy of Don Bosco, a celebration of the dream that continues to guide and inspire generations of young minds.