How The Land Was Formed
1948, September 8
On behalf of Pia Sociedade Salesiana de São João Bosco and the Salesians of Don Bosco in Goa Rev. Mgr. Vincent Scuderi acquires 5 plots of of jungly and hilly terrain on the banks of the river Kushavati in scantily populated Sulcorna. This was a gift from Mr. Humberto Mascarenhas from Utorda near Margao in Goa. This gift would make it possible to offer Goan youth education in agriculture.
1962, October 20
Rev. Fr. Joseph Moja is the first Salesian to reside permanently in Sulcorna. Over a period of 15 years he gives stability to Salesian presence and apostolate by putting up a residence, a shrine, colonies for workers and a multi-lingual Primary School. He also establishes contacts with the poor in the villages around Sulcorna.
1966, January 1
Rev. Br. Ludvik Zabret, together with a group of labourers, arrives in Sulcorna from far away Sagayathottam in Tamilnadu. He establishes the sprawling Don Bosco Agricultural and Animal Farms during the 15 years of his challenging stay.
[►1966. Ariosto Coelho and Bosco Araujo with Br. Ludvik Zabret in the sugarcane plantation.]
1977, July 16
Rev. Fr. Olivio Miranda starts Savio Boys' Home, a boarding for very poor boys and orphans, who today number more than a hundred.
1978, January 14
The Society of the Helpers of Mary inaugurate their convent and activities at Shubha Vihar. They run the Don Bosco Dispensary and Mini Hospital, a boarding for girls, and a balwadi for little children. The sisters also visit the villages in the vicinity.
1978 August 6
The MLA of the Rivona Constituency and his henchmen begin to create problems galore, at first by digging the foundations, allegedly, for a temple in our farm. They send brigands and criminals to destroy our works. They make fraudulent attempts to acquire a mining lease in the heart of our farm land, thus delaying our developmental projects through their constant harassment, which still continues.
1979, September 12
St. Joseph Training Institute is started to offer informal training to school drop-outs from all over Goa and poor local boys. These boys are trained in welding, carpentry and motor mechanics.
1981, June 10
Dominic Savio Primary School is recognised by the Directorate of Education as an English Medium School.
1983, February 15
Rev. Fr. Chrysanthus Saldanha, the Provincial Superior, with the consent of his Council, gives the green signal for further development in the Complex. He sanctions: 1. the additions and alteration to the main building, 2. a spacious multi-purpose community hall, 3. shed for the dairy, and 4. the agricultural school. Other developments will included the re-organization of the farm and the dairy, a better communication network as well as plans to provide better residential facilities for the staff, the workers and the boarders.
1985, May 24
While preparing the Educative Pastoral Plan the Salesian Community decided that Sulcorna should impart agricultural education. Consequently the Savio Boys' Home will be placed at the service of the boys, who want to learn agriculture. The Technical Training Institute is practically closed as it caters only to a few local trainees under the RDA programme of TRYSEM.
The Boys' Town and School founded by Fr. Edwin D'Souza [◄in the center] in Quepem is offered to the Salesians, who form part of the Sulcorna Community: Fr. Lionel Braganza [in-charge], Fr. Cajetan Lobo, Fr. Benedict Furtado, Br. Dominic Savio, Br. Lorenzo D'Souza.
1986, August 11
The S. S. C. Board, Goa, recognizes St. VII of the Don Bosco Farm High School with retrospective effect for the year 1985-86. The Directorate of Education provisionally recognizes Std. IX for 1986-87.
1986, October 20
Dr. Gopal Singh, the Lt. Governor of Goa, inaugurates the Don Bosco Farm High School cluster of buildings and initiates the 25th year old Salesian apostolate in Sulcorna.
▲[Front Row L to R] A student, Fr. Ariosto Coelho -the Rector of the Agro-Ed Complex, Mrs. Inderjeet Singh, Dr. Gopal Singh -the Governor of Goa, Fr. Aurelius Maschio, Fr. Chrysanthus Saldanha -the Provincial Superior of the Salsesians of Don Bosco, and others after inaugurating the Don Bosco Farm High School buildings in Sulcorna, Goa, on October 20, 1986.
"From a Jungle to a 'Farmers' Paradise'
As Don Bosco turns silver in Sulcorna"
by Jovito Lopes
The men and women behind the scene
in The Song of Sulcorna 1987. Pages 12-14
...
Msgr. Vincent Scuderi, Fr. Joseph Moja, Br. Ludvik Zabret, Fr. Aurelio Maschio, Fr. Emilio Dabove, Fr. Theodore Hoffman, Fr. M. C. Anthony, Br. Chacko, Br. Selvaraj, Br. E. C. Joseph, Br. Aloysius Caldarelli, Fr. Daniel Venia, Br. E. C. Joseph, Fr. Mathias D'Cunha, Fr. William Falcao, Fr. Egidius Fernandes, Br. Alex Gonsalves, Br. Alfred Gonsalves, Br. Bennet Aranjo, Br. Felix Fernandes, Br. Tony Coutinho, Br. Dennis D'Mello, Fr. Cyril Frances, Fr. Cecil Noronha, Sr. Rupa, Sr.Prasanna, Sr. Aradhana, Sr. Rukmani, Sr. Madhuri, Sr. Arpana, Sr. Shalini, Sr. Divya, Sr. Anuradha have also played vital roles in the development of the complex. Without their guidance, patronage and tireless hard work the complex could have never become what it is today.
...
Fr. Ariosto Coelho, the man behind the scene now, is ably assisted by 7 Salesians, Fr. Crispin D'Souza, Fr. Cyril D'Souza, Bro. Vincent Nigrel, Deacon Bruno Fernandes, Br. Jerome Mendonca, Br. Edgar Aranha, Br. Allwyn D'Souza,; 4 Helpers of Mary: Sr. Leelavathi, Sr. Deepika, Sr. Mira, Sr. Sandhya and Lay collaborators.
▲ The children, students, apprentices, farm hands, interns, counselors, teachers, supervisors, managers and leaders of the Don Bosco Agro-Ed Complex in Sulcorna, Goa, India, 1986-87.
The Silver Song of Sulcorna 1987
by Ariosto Coelho
EDITORIAL
toThe Song of Sulcorna 1987. Pages 8-9
My dear Friends,
Don Bosco in Sulcorna is turning silver this year. These 25 years in the service of youth and agriculture are dotted with events wrought by God through the instrumentality of various personalities. As one goes down memory lan, one cannot help but recall with gratitude their Footprints on the sands of time in the Sulcorna complex.
The Educative Pastoral Plan: The tiny seed, planted by Mgr. Scuderi, nurtured by Fr. Moja and by other pioneers is today a mature tree called the Don Bosco Agro-Ed complex. Here the Salesians, with a penchant for agriculture, have in their Educative Pastoral Plan very clearly opted for imparting academic and practical instruction and education in farming and agriculture intially upto the high school level and later on at other levels.
1988- The Centenary of Don Bosco's Death: On this 31st day of January we recall that 99 years ago Don Bosco died in Turin. As we prepare for the centenary of his death in 1988, we the 18000 Salesian Fathers ad Brothers, the 18000 Salesian sisiters, other members of the Big Salesian Family especially the millions of boys and girls in the Salesian institutions, realize that Don Bosco is just not ours to keep. He belongs to the universal church, nay to the whole world, as a personality that has left indelible footprints not only in the sands of time but in the hearts of youngsters for over a hundred years in practically every country of the world. Long live Don Bosco! May his personal charm and charism continue to inspire us all.
Conclusion Adieu: As I conclude the Introduction to this Silver Song of Sulcorna and wish you a very happy feast of St. John Bosco, I want to wish you 'adieu.' Thank you for your understanding, collaboration and patience with me since 19th March 1978.
For all that has been - I give thanks!
For all that could have been better and wasn't
because of me, I'm sorry! - Please forgive me!
For all that is to come - I say "Yes!"
Do say a short prayer for me that I may always and everywhere be generous in the service of the poor and the young, the Don Bosco way. With every good wish and prayer throughout this silver year as well as throughout your lives. May you always see the silver lining in the small and big events that happen to you and others.