The newly developed infrastructure was dedicated in honour of Msgr. Emmanuel Bars, SDB, and Fr. Umberto Marocchino, SDB. Their visionary leadership and commitment established the foundation for Catholic education in Kohima and Nagaland, making the new building a continuation of their enduring legacy. 

Addressing the gathering, Kikon praised the contribution of Don Bosco institutions in shaping generations of young Nagas through quality education, discipline, and value-based formation. He noted that the Salesian educational mission has played a transformative role in the social and intellectual development of the Naga people. 

He emphasised Don Bosco’s role in building society by nurturing character and discipline, and urged students to honour the sacrifices of parents and teachers through dedication and hard work. 

In his keynote address, Fr. Dr Tious Varghese, Principal of Don Bosco College, highlighted the broader significance of the expansion project. He stressed that the new infrastructure represented not merely additional physical space but an investment in the future of young people. He said the extension creates room for dreams and empowers students for Nagaland’s future. 

The ceremony honoured the Salesian pioneers, recalling how Msgr. Emmanuel Bars and Fr. Umberto Marocchino established educational institutions that transformed lives and advanced the region. 

Blessing the new facility, Fr. Joseph Pampackal, SDB, Provincial of the Salesian Province of Dimapur, described the occasion as a celebration of a vision that continues to flourish decades after its conception. He noted that the institution’s growth stands as a testament to the lasting impact of the Salesian mission in Northeast India. 

Dr Kiyasetuo Stephen Vizo, Governing Body Member of DBCK, reminded students that the true strength of an institution lies not in its buildings but in the quality of individuals it forms. Referring to the college motto, “Duty and Joy,” he encouraged students to embrace responsibility, serve society, promote peace, and care for the environment. 

The programme concluded with a tree-planting drive on World Environment Day, symbolising the college’s commitment to sustainability.

Fr. Blasius Tete sdb, IND

Source: Don Bosco South Asia