Christian students numbering over 500, from over 18 schools of the city attended the Career Guidance cum Motivational Seminar organised by the Catholic Teachers Guild of the Archdiocese of Kolkata. The Seminar was held at Don Bosco School, Park Circus, Kolkata on Saturday, 29th April, 2023 from 9 am to 1 pm. The program began by an introduction by the President of the Guild, Mr Joseph Chacko where he welcomed the dignitaries and participants and outlined the purpose of the Seminar, to empower the young Christian students to take up well placed careers in future and be exemplary Christians wherever they are. The Vicar General of the Archdiocese, Fr Dominic Gomes began the seminar with a very meaningful prayer. The President then called upon the Chief Guest and Motivational speaker, Mrs Hilda Peacock, renowned Academic consultant, Mr Solomon Nesakumar IPS, Joint Commissioner of Police (STF) along with Fr Bikash Mondal, sdb. Principal of Don Bosco School, Park Circus , Fr Dominic Gomes and the Spiritual Director of the Guild, Fr Moloy D’Costa to light the inaugural lamp which was followed by the release of the book on ‘Career Guidance ‘ – a handy guide to all educators to motivate their students to choose the correct career options according to their potential.
Mr Solomon Nesakumar IPS delivered his address to the students. He rued the fact that in this State of West Bengal there are hardly any Christians in the police force or in the Government sectors inspite of us having the best Christian educational institutions in the city. Mr Solomon Nesakumar spoke straight from the heart about his humble origins and how he aspired with a dream and determination to become an IPS officer. He challenged the students that if he could do it, inspite of failures, then they could also but only if they have a passion for it. To see a Christian officer in uniform, share his life experience was truly inspirational to the young Christian students.
Mrs Hilda Peacock, Our Chief guest and motivational speaker, began by referring to the Biblical verse from Ezekiel 22:30 – “And I looked for a man to stand in the gap, but I found no one”. She referred to young Timothy who refused to stand in the gap inspite of being given the responsibility ,which led to the loss of the battle. She challenged the young to stand in the gap and make a difference. Her powerful speech left everyone spell bound.
The Christian resource persons were then felicitated and lead to the different classrooms to interact with the students on their preferred choice of careers.
We had Dr Sipra Goswami for those who wanted to take up the medical profession, Mr Raja Xavier for Law, Mrs Althea Philips for Journalism, Mrs Charlotte Simpson for Teaching, Mr Ransdale Manuel for Games and sports, Mr Xavier Gomes for those interested in the Hospitality industry, Mrs Jessica Gomes for Fashion designing, Mrs Janet Gasper for Management, Mr Promode Fernandes and Mr Stephen Dolby for the IT Sector, Mrs Tanishka Safri for Psychology, Mr Dominic Gomes and Mr Mario Louis for the General stream ,who also assisted for Media and Banking.
After an hour of fruitful interaction with our Christian resource persons in the respective classrooms the students assembled in the hall. Mr Shane Calvert and his team from the West Bengal Minorities Development and Finance Corporation shared about the different loans, Scholarships and other schemes for the minorities. They expressed regret that these schemes and loans are not availed by the Christian community. Students could log into – www.WBMDFCscholarships.org for further information. The Guild could also help the students to initiate this process.
Fr Mani sdb, from Don Bosco, Liluah then spoke on the various technical courses offered by the Don Bosco Technical centres at Park Circus, Mirpara, Krishnanagar and Liluah. He also spoke to the girls about a lucrative career now in nursing and the various colleges where they can pursue their dream in the health sector.
The Career Guidance seminar ended with a short but important session of serving God and his people through “ A Call to Religious life” conducted by Fr Bijay Ghosh, sdb ,who urged young people to become Priests and nuns to serve Gods Kingdom.
Fr Moloy D’Costa, rounded off an extremely fruitful Career Guidance Seminar speaking about the “Way ahead’. Mr Derek Fernandes, Vice President of the guild delivered the Vote of thanks. The Guild is extremely grateful to the Salesians at Don Bosco Park Circus for the hospitality rendered to host the Seminar. The Resource persons all shared the fact that our young Christian youth, who are our future, need a lot of guidance and motivation and such seminars for them would do them a world of good and augur well for the future of our Christian community.
