Program for the marginalised children

Assam Don Bosco University (ADBU) Mass Communication department students conducted a media event ‘Make Me Smile’ in collaboration with Snehalaya (House of Love) and Child Friendly Guwahati (CFG) in Don Bosco School Panbazar on Saturday at Guwahati.

Around 500 children from different centres of Snehalaya and CFG were present for the event with the effort to create awareness among the public and bring smiles and hope in the lives of street children in need of special care and protection in and around Guwahati.

While delivering the welcome speech the coordinator of the event fr.Shyjan C.J. a student of mass Communication Department,ADBU Said that  “We hope this ‘one step’ we take would enable ‘many hands’ to come together and provide a ‘better tomorrow’ for this children and a ‘SMILE’ back to their faces and lives.”

R.S. Mooshahary Ex. Governor of Meghalaya) was the chief guest of the event.

A galaxy of eminent dignitaries and guests were present for the event from all walks of life including Archbishop John Moolachira, Shri JaduNath Prasad from Kamakhya, Most honoured Anwar Hussain, Imam of BurahJame Masjid, Ambari, Fr. CT Lukose, Founder of Snehalaya and Chairman, Child Welfare Committee, Kamrup (M),, Mr.Baharul Islam, Alumni of NSD &Mrs. Bhagirathi BaiKadam, recognised theatre artist, Dr.DhruvajyotiSaikiaV.C, Cotton College State University Dr. Kamei MachunHoD of Mass Communication Department, Assam Don Bosco University. Fr. Sebastian Mathews, Principal, Don Bosco School, Panbazar.

Besides them Fathers from Don Bosco Society blessed the occation with their presence including Fr. Zachary George, Rector, Don Bosco Provincial House, Fr. ThadeusKujur, Executive Director, Snehalaya and CFG, Fr. Abhilash V.J, Warden, Carreno Hostel, D.B University, Fr. Johnson Parakkal Director DBI Karoghuli. Fr. BevenMukhim SDB, Fr. JanvariusSagma and Fr. Benny Alex.

The event was the combination of photography exhibition and Documentary screening from the selected entries from the competitions conducted prior to the event on the theme street children.
In the Documentary competition Molly Mathew, UthompornSaelwo and NarednraLakr from Assam Don Bosco University won the cash prizes first,second and third respectively.
The talents showcased by the children from Snehalaya and CFG entitled ‘cultural Utsav’ added more colour to the event.

Second half of the event Mr.Tarunabh Dutta, an acclaimed film maker of Assam conducted an interactive session for the children together with his team. He shared with them the creative side of film and documentary production and try to encourage the children to find a creative bent in their lives.

“Make Me Smile event provided a big platform for us to showcase our talents as well as gave us a day of hope,” said one of the children from Snehalaya master Alok.