Decided forum

 I was part of a two day meeting recently. Most of the meeting comprised of presentations and videos of various achievements and strategies of the various provinces across the region.  However, there were two sessions, in the afternoons, titled 'Open Forum'. 

Most of the participants were familiar with one another, and attending this programme for the second time in as many years.  As for me, I was attending this gathering for the first time, outside the Province. At one point, during the Open forum, I made a proposal citing a similar effort already underway, as the same initiative proposed earlier in the day.  I did not oppose the initiative proposed or negate the plan.  All that I proposed was that we could converge efforts and minds, because the methodology and the end result were exactly - EXACTLY - the same!  

However, what happened immediately after I made the proposal was really something I was not prepared for.  The reaction to that proposal soon made it clear to me that the planned initiative and the whole meeting was a highly isolated and individual effort.  This enterprise spanned everything but did not want anyone or anything else to touch it - leave alone, assist or impact it.   

Far from being a Open forum, it appeared to me as a 'Decided Forum'! 

Different purposes

 On my recent flight from Hyderabad to Delhi, I couldn't but pay attention to the in-flight announcements, especially by the Captain and the flight crew head.  While I barely could understand what the Captain spoke, the crew head's message was a little more understandable.  I couldn't help but compare the announcements with newsreading. 

A newsreader spells out the words in order for the hearer to grasp and understand.  An inflight announcement is to fulfill an obligation.  The former's whole endeavour is to articulate the message in as clear way as possible.  The latter has no such responsibility to articulate a communication (flight safety and convenience, being the priorities).  

Output to outcome!

 I'm attending the Mission Poverty Eradication, Rewind 2026 episode in Delhi since yesterday. 

Among the few significant aspects that the learnings of the two year enterprise that have struck me, the one that really caught my attention is the following fact: reflection. 

Although not still clear of the focus of this initiative, at least in terms of the methodology and procedure, more than the goal, I should say I'm fully with the ultimate purpose of this initiative: that we need to focus our attention on the poorest of the poor. 

Another aspect: Shifting from output to outcome.  The shift from asking "How many have we trained?" (output) to asking, "What has changed in the lives of those we have trained?" (outcome)

Morning miracle

 On 8 September 2026, the birthday of Mother Mary, three miracles happened in my own personal life: 

1. I woke up (thanks be to God, for the gift of life!) 
2. I woke up, by myself, without the alarm ringing (that has rarely happened!) 
3. I woke up, by myself, in time for Mass (that's the real miracle!)

Values and context in Vocation Promotion

 For quite some time a thought has been doing the rounds in my own mind, with regard to vocation promotion.  In particular, vocation promotion by myself, close at home!  I've been asking myself if I'd feel comfortable and confident to invite my own nephew or niece to join the Salesians, as a Priest or Brother and Sister.  

To be honest, I am neither comfortable nor confident in offering that invitation.  Nonetheless, I would still not mind speaking about this possibility to them, but with a rider: Join, only if you are willing to be true to your basic values and not fold up to the pressures which are in plenty and enticing too!  

Looking back and counting my blessings, especially those which have helped me keep myself steady and strong, I count the values inculcated in me by my parents and the context in which this was done as one of the most powerful one. While my parents hard work and determination was inspirational, their struggles were not hidden from my brother and I.  Their example and the financial situation of the times helped me grow without being shy of engaging in hard manual work.  

While I have no doubt about the values my nephew and niece witness at home, I seriously wonder if they are used to living a hard difficult life, not just without moaning about it, but joyfully embracing it as an opportunity for growth. That they may actually embrace the challenge is a possibility; but I also fear our present comfort level in the religious life is too enticing and tempting. 

I also need to remind myself that a vocation is initially God's call. So He who calls, also equips! 

AI and the mosquito bat

 A few months ago, I bought a tennis bat sold on street corners to kill mosquitoes. Those who have used these bats know that this can be electrically charged and used to 'shock and awe' mosquitoes.  However, prior to this purchase and use, I've spent days and months and years killing mosquitoes with hands... at times with just one hand. And I was good at this hand-killing!! 

But of late I noticed, that my hand-killing skill has gone dull or weak.  Relying on the electric bat has significantly reduced my reliance on using hands alone to catch and kill mosquitoes.  What began as an added tool, soon became the only 'skill' I knew.  

I guess this same is what can be applied to incessant use of AI in life and works. Using the support of AI certainly enhances the quality of our work; but relying solely on AI for any specific task or all tasks, severely hampers natural skills and talents.  

The calculator was an additional tool to help us calculate large numbers and figures.  Unfortunately, some of us now reach for the calculator to calculate 8 times 8!! Heavy and total reliance on the calculator has divested us of our ability to calculate even simple sums and mathematical calculations.  Let it not be said of our generation that complete reliance on AI has cost us our ability to think and reflect.  

Shrinking attention span

 The human capacity for paying attention has been shrinking rapidly, furthered to a great extent by the great advances made in communication technology.  

In cricket, Test matches running into 5 days were the craze.  Then came the One-day matches.  That transition took some time.  But the next phase of T20 was quick and brutal.  While those who love cricket genuinely and play the game know the worth of a Test match endurance and quality, most spectators would any day prefer a T20 game over a Test. 

In the entertainment field there were long movies, screened only in theatres.  That was the only place one could watch movies.  Then came the television and other platforms where one could watch old movies from the comfort of one's living room.  Then came sweeping the 'reels-era'. Now most people are addicted to scrolling reels on their mobile phones.  Not just in one's own living room, but anywhere and everywhere and every given time!  Movies lasted 2 to 3 hours. Now reels last not more than a minute.  

For information, one had to read newspapers.  Today printed newspapers are hardly subscribed for.  There are ample apps which provide 'news bits'. Just a para or a couple of lines.  That is sufficient.  From leading lengthy news articles to news slightly longer than the headlines, information grasping has shortened.  

The worse hit has been book-reading. Except, perhaps research scholars, and ardent book lovers, there are hardly any people who 'have the time' to read a book!  

More than the decline in attention span, the speed at which that span is declining is alarming.  Dopomine acceleration is indeed sabotaging the deepening of wisdom.  Information is today the biggest risk to knowledge and wisdom. 

Responsibility

 Some old friends who meet after a long gap, or those who care about me most, knowing my present responsibility in the Province, at times ask how is it going?  

Like every responsibility, this role too has its ups and downs. But I firmly believe and have lived out this responsibility like every and any other responsibility I've taken up.  This task is no different or special to me.  I've never craved for position or honour; so I don't have to constantly carry that burden of retaining the post or seeking approval.  But love giving tasks I take up, my best - at least most of the times! 

So, honestly, this role is just another of the responsibility.  I'd be giving my best, in any responsibility I would have been engaged with.  The only question I care about is, if I've giving this task my best. And that I can state, proudly, that I am! 

Having said that, one great blessing that I truly am grateful for is that due to this responsibility, I am gaining the experience of engaging in policy decision-making.  More than the decisions themselves, the rationale and the process that I let myself be guided by and what I push for.  That has been one truly great self-test.  Being able to affect policy decisions, have I let myself be guided by the heart and the head.  I'd say, more by the head than the heart.  But that is what this role demands too!  More head, than the heart.  

Value addition

 In my life over the years, I have seen plenty of young people, especially young seminarians and Salesians.  To be honest, most of them are floaters! Only some are passionate and determined, for the right reasons.  

Floaters or drifters themselves are not bad. They neither do much good nor serious harm.  But if in bad company or in times of decision making or crisis they tilt towards the not-so-good, then it is often downhill from there on.  

As in every group, there are those who are an outright burden on the earth! Real plague! 

Then there are those who show promise.  They are a finders keeper!  They not just complete the given tasks diligently but add value to the place and apostolate they engage themselves in.  They find ways and means of enriching the lives of those around them and in the process add a distinctive flavour to the whole atmosphere.  Living and working with such individuals is more than just a pleasure; it is an inspiration and a challenge.  

Barefoot mum runs 3k race for daughters education

 Ms Ramabai Ranvir, a working mother of two daughters, in Pune (Maharashtra, India), and a widow for the last 14 years, single handedly supporting the education of her daughters, worked another miracle (besides the consistent one already mentioned, as do most mothers!) a few days ago.  

She heard of a prize money of Rs 3,000 (Euros 30) for a race being organised in her vicinity, from her employer (the Police academy).  The previous day her younger daughter, studying in another town, had called her asking for some money to pay her food and rent - and Ms Ramabai had none to spare! So when she heard of the prize money, she hopped onto the pickup vehicle transporting the police aspirants to the race venue.  No prior running practice or experience, wearing a saree, being the only one running without shoes, her slippers giving way during the race forcing her to run barefoot, aged 40+, no breaks on the course... none of these mattered.  Nothing at all! All that mattered was her daughters education, for which the immediate focus was the finish line and the prize! 

And she won!!! She was awarded Rs 5,000/- (Euros 50) instead!

A single parent slogging day and night, saving every penny for her children, with the sole dream of educating them for a better life and future, is itself no ordinary miracle in everyday life.  A miracle most mothers perform, everyday, everywhere, at all times, even without realizing it.  Add this incident to that L  O   N   G  and INVALUABLE miracle list of a mothers determination and courage! 

Learning patience - 2

 While there are spaces and places wherein I still need to acquire the virtue of patience (maintaining my equilibrium), there are other times and places that I've really learnt the art. I can now boast, to a certain extent, of 'waiting it out' with grace, in or on such occasions... 

calmly walking up and down the railway platform, waiting for an already delayed train to arrive, with co-passengers literally swearing at every other person, because the train has not yet arrived. 

doodling or scribbling away on my notepad waiting in the parlour, for the patient or colleague undergoing a surgery or attending a session, and is supposed to have been out an hour ago, but is still to come out

at hospitals or government offices or courtrooms, awaiting for the concerned official to turn up, leave alone review my file or case! 

waiting for the unending sermon to conclude, having heard the preacher use the phrase 'the last point' or 'last of all' for a dozen times already, almost 30 minutes ago. 

Learning patience

 Ever waited for a particular bus at the bus stop and noticed that every bus, going in every direction, except the one you are waiting for, turns up!! 

Or on other occasion, you wait in a queue for hours, and when you ultimately reach the counter, the clerk shuts the window with the 'lunch break' sign. 

Of late, there are these OTPs and codes being sent, for any and every interaction and transaction, albeit with a timer of 30 seconds or worse still some have only a 15 seconds time out.  And the OTP arrives not lesser than 15 MINUTES later!! 

Then there are those instances when you ought to upload a file to the government website for voter ID or income tax or property tax.  Most often these work (if at all they work) at night.  I guess it is because of the heavy traffic load on the server.  Even at those precious last minutes, the site page totally never moves!  The circle keeps rotating and never stops!  And eventually the deadline closes!

These are precious moments to learn patience! 

Re-reading prayers

 Most often, I barely pay attention to the words of the psalms and canticles I pray during our lauds and vespers.  The recitation is clear and loud, but the meaning is barely dwelt upon or even considered.  I guess it has become a routine and therefore the recitation is more in terms of familiarity with the text than meaningful prayer. 

However, today there was Katrin with us for morning prayer.  I'm sure she never ever recited the lauds ever before and therefore offering her the breviary and indicating the prayers, I felt the need to read the text as if she were reading.  Virtually how it would be that she would understand the same words and phrases of the psalms and canticles, that I'm so used to reading so often.  

It was surprising to note that quite a few bits felt odd or even not contextual.  Perhaps even out of place or redundant.  At times it felt as if the words did not do justice or fell short of actually expressing the real feeling or sentiments. 

Nonetheless, an interesting experience it was! 

Man in defence of God

 Very many times we think and act as if we are defending and protecting God.  We act under the impression that God needs to be defended.  This is done in all innocence and goodness. No malice or sense of pride.  Pure good will. 

And it is exactly in some such contexts, God jolts us from our thoughts: "Get behind me Satan!" 

What we fail to DISCERN is that, it is not God who needs salvation; but I!  

Temptation of Christ (Ilya Repin)

Linux vs Windows

 I've been a fan of Linux OS since 2009.  My personal laptop has had Linux since the time I left the Provincial Secretary's office in 2010.  And I've never regretted or needed to rethink switching back to Windows, ever since.  Even in 2021 when I bought my present Dell laptop, the first thing I did was erase Windows and install Linux.  

So, every time I see Linux roasting Windows, I can't resist! 

Informed citizens

 A recent headline that caught my attention...

Read the full article, published on Down to Earth, which hits the nail on the head, not just about the Ganges and the right way of protecting it, but about everything that we hold important and valuable!

Felt truly good reading the content of this article.  After long, came across the following words, phrases and their interlinkages: curiosity, conservation, nature interpretation, 'the river we see, but don't understand', context-specific content, engagement vs information sharing, informed and engaged public, measuring success beyond buildings, creating connections, the greatest achievement is still not the number of people who walk through their doors, but the transformation that takes place after the visit, informed advocates rather than mere spectators, lasting impact depends on something less visible, but equally important (understanding)...

Infrastructure vs Empowerment

 In the last council I had to AGAIN speak strongly about rethinking our investment and the priorities of our mission.  

Most of our financial reserves and earnings are being funneled into buildings and renovations!  Truly a black hole!  I firmly believe that we should shift the emphasis on building people, rather than buildings!  

Investments on infrastructure are a trap.  The attention they need and the constant care that eats ones time, resources and energy is huge.  That's one of the biggest drawbacks of institutionalisation.  We never have 'enough' of buildings and institutions!  We first invest in construction, then in maintenance, then in renovation and constantly seek beautification!  Not even half of that is invested in, what I feel is the most essential: people!  Skills, training, education, creativity, thinking... these need and demand attention.  That should be what we Salesians should be pouring ourselves (and our resources) into.  And for most of these, infrastructure is not the most essential; even if it is, very minimal of it would do.  

 I am convinced that if I truly offer QUALITY training or education, no matter how poor or little infrastructure I have, young people will soon realise the CONTENT and be the most direct beneficiaries.  

Weird b'day salutation!

A few days ago we had Santiagu's birthday.  We celebrated the day with Mass and supper in the evening, as a community.  Being a Sunday we invited the Salesians of the city for the meal two days later on a Tuesday.  

One weird thing I found, which I felt I should have pointed out much earlier was the way he was addressed during all those days, in different places and at different times, by different groups!  Most kept saying, "Birthday of Fr Provincial!"  

And every time I heard it, I squirmed!   The birthday was of Santiagu, not Fr Provincial; not even of FATHER Santiagu!  On the said day, Santiagu was born, not the Provincial, not the Priest!  Worse still, he'll be the Provincial only for his tenure of 6 years! And celebration of the Provincial's b'day, if at all one is to celebrate the event, is to be on the day he took charge as the Provincial. 

This distinction is essential in bearing in mind that titles, roles, responsibilities as distinct from a person!  Each one has its own place and importance. Human being is the substance; the rest are accidents! 

Taxi ride and price wars

 A couple of weeks ago Ravi and I travelled by cab to take delivery of a new Renault Duster for vocation promotion at their showroom in Kukatpally.  During the drive, Ravi out of respect for me, sat with the driver and let me sit alone at the back!! I took the opportunity, as I always do when I do not have the steering wheel in my hand, to catch a wink.  

Nonetheless, I could catch bits and pieces of conversation Ravi was having with the driver, a muslim guy.  The driver was quite refined and polite and knowledgeable as well.  At one point, I could hear Ravi confirming with great conviction what the driver was expressing.  The driver was sharing about his woes of running a taxi in the Uber-Rapido era!   

When the competition increases, the prices naturally dip.  In the price war between service providers, the customer is the beneficiary.  With taxi operating giants like Uber, Rapido and Ola each claiming a share of the travellers, the price war is inevitable.  The taxi driver was most unhappy about the Rapido bike taxi.  The introduction of the bike taxi, that too permitting private individuals to use their personal bikes, has been a big blow to the taxis.  The taxi has to pay a higher road tax, insurance and annual payments, while the private individual pays lessor, yet gains a higher margin when it comes to earnings.  This, he felt, is not fair.  

Ravi, on the other hand, ended the ride, feeling consoled that he isn't in the taxi business, like a couple of his friends, who ditched their salary-based 9-to-5 job!

Chasing God's plan

 For our spiritual reading we have been using the book by Gianni Asti, Don Bosco and Vocational Accompaniment (translated by Ian Doulton). It is a well-written book. 

Reading and listening from it, I wondered, especially after the episode of Rinaldi and Cagliero.  Don Bosco doggedly pursued Rinaldi.  Not just for days but years.  I could be wrong but Don Bosco did not pursue anyone so persistently as he did with Rinaldi.  Why?  

To add to the mystery, Don Bosco knew (either by insight or divine illumination) that Rinaldi would one day succeed him. If Don Bosco knew that so convincingly, why did he have to run after Rinaldi for so long, that too so painstakingly?  If God had shown Don Bosco that he would be a Salesian and that too with a prominent role to play, why slog so badly?  Don Bosco could have easily taken care of things God hadn't been clear about.  He could have chased after other vocations or matters that God did not give him a clarity about.  If God had so decided that Rinaldi would be a Salesian, why not trust God and let him weave His magic.  

But I think Don Bosco knew all too well, that even though God had his plans and people, Don Bosco had to do his best.  Don Bosco was not a man who would have leaned back on his easy chair and swung his legs on the table, relaxing away in his office.  He was Don Bosco! He had to do his work.  

Don Rua and Don Rinaldi

Be good!

 

Mode of challenging

 Two aspects I've grown and learnt over the last couple of years in this office as the Economer: 

Mood and mode of challenging: Challenging, confronting and pulling up people for various reasons is  something I was used to. In fact, everyone considered me a task-master.  That hasn't changed much.  But what has evolved is the ability to pause before jumping to action, and the self-reflection to ensure that I'm doing the confrontation for the right reasons and the good of all concerned.  The pause gives me time and space to calm myself and evaluate my reasons (not justify them).  The self-reflection has taught me to do the confrontation keeping in mind the larger picture and the greater good, rather than for the sake of 'teaching him a lesson'. Not confronting at all has not been an option for me.  But whenver I've done the confrontation right, for the right reasons, I've not had any guilt or regret.  If at all there was regret, it was mostly because I did not do the confrontation right or for the higher good; but not for the point which needed to be challenged. 

Picking my battles: Not all fights are worth the effort and energy.  If there is something that I see as the greater challenge and I can prevent that into turning out to be a major issue later, I'd prefer to use the 'word in the ear' technique rather than go out guns blazing about a smaller issue right now.  Not that the small issue at hand is right or that I do not condemn it, but if the larger good can be achieved then this small issue will automatically be taken care of or even overlooked, if the greater good is achieved.  This has helped me conserve my energy for some productive works rather than dissipate it in mere fire-fighting. 

Youth apostolate: Standalone Events to Cause-based Movements

 This morning addressing the young Salesians, especially those involved in youth apostolate, I began citing two of the major headlines in the recent days: Gen Z protests, across the county and the FCRA amendment opposition. 

Both remained parallel protests, with no ecclesial figures getting involved in the Gen Z protests and no young people opposing the FCRA amendment.  The ecclesial group is very much involved in education and the Gen Z protest was purely about the corruption set in the education system of the country.  Yet, the former did not feel the importance of getting involved.  For the FCRA opposition, the Church was at the forefront. 

My whole point was to recommend the Salesians to move away from restricting youth ministry to events and functions.  The attempt should be to facilitate a youth movement or process; that too based on a cause or a need.  Rather than invest great amount of time, energy, resources and personnel on standalone events, wherein there is neither preparation on the part of the youth as a line-up for the event, nor a follow-up from our side post the event, I exhorted that we should be catalysts for a youth movement, a process.  

Secondly, that movement or process is need-based or revolving around a cause!  

Thirdly, that this need or cause should be that of the young people themselves. Not our motives or reasons!  A youth group without a purpose, a cause or a need that propels it, is a club of party-goers. And young people should not be insulted by engaging them in mere decorative purposes as arranging chairs, or performing a dance in a celebration or as choir members in the Church. The youth are a dynamite and we shouldn't be lighting a cigarette with it. 

Lastly, in order to facilitate this whole process and purpose, we shouldn't be taking centre stage or shifting the focus on ourselves as guides!  Moreover, we should not hesitate or feel ashamed to network or join hands with anyone who is of the same mind; be that with other members of our community, other departments of our institution or Province, or even non-Salesian and non-Catholic individuals or organisations.  The cause and purpose should take precedence over the names and groups! 

Property woes

One of our staff members returned this morning from his native village after attending the funeral of a relative.  I saw him down since his arrival and just before lunch asked if all was well.  He then started narrating his pain about retaining a small bit of land - all that he really owns, in his village - that too from the greedy hands of his own uncle.  What pained him most was this betrayal and backstabbing by his own kith and kin.  Those who should have been standing by him, are the ones usurping his share of the property.  Not only do they want the land bit but to grab it the tactics they are adopting are cruel: they forced this man and his family out of the rented house at midnight.  He, along with his wife, two small kids, aged mother were on the road just before midnight!  He couldn't bear it anymore and broke down narrating it.  This is the first time I have seen him weep.  The pain and humiliation of a son, a father, a husband ... was vivid. All this, around and about a one and half cent bit of land!  

He is still to recover from that shock and pain. Adding to it is the awareness of his helplessness.  No one wishes to get involved citing it to be a family matter.  Walking away from that land is like giving up the only thing he feels connected with back with his roots, especially his deceased father's legacy. 

 As religious, we own much land.  Keeping track of every bit of it and ensuring maximum utility is not something that we do or feel pressurized to do.  But I also know of the agony involved in securing these properties and ensuring that no one creates false documents and lays claim for any of these bits.  Although it is a big headache, it is not always a matter of life and death for us.  Worse comes to worse, we forgo the land and move on. We do not feel the pinch of it. 

On the other hand, most lay people, especially farmers in rural areas who have inherited land from their ancestors or simple city folk who have 'earned' miniscule plots after years of toil, face an uphill task to keep these land bits secure.  And by chance, if some greedy souls lay eyes on it, then they either spend their whole earning on it or have to give it up, due to sheer pressure of the big sharks.  The desperation and helplessness when faced with such challenges is deep and acute! 

What Faith!!

 The Canaanite woman who approaches Jesus for a cure for her ill daughter, the woman suffering with hemorrhage, the Centurion who seeks a cure for his servant all have something in common... great and deep faith.  

The Canaanite woman is 'insulted and humiliated' by Jesus himself when he asks if it is justified to offer the dogs the food of the master!  She does not retort or feel insulted.  She acknowledge the insult, but claims what even a 'dog' is permitted: crumbs, fallen from the masters table.  She does not ask for the meal of the master. Not even the leftovers. All she asks for is crumbs!  

The woman suffering with the hemorrhage chases Jesus, in the midst of the crowd, with one clear intent. Just one clear intent.  Only to touch the fringe of his garment. Not be touched by Jesus. Not to hold Jesus' hand or feet.  Not even to get hold of the whole garment of Jesus.  Just the fringe of Jesus' garment - FRINGE! 

The Centurion asks Jesus only to say a word. He not say that he will get his servant into Jesus' presence.  He does not ask Jesus to send one of his trusted apostle to the bedside of his sick servant, leave alone pester Jesus to visit his servant.  All that the Centurion asks is Jesus' word.  'Just say a word and my servant will get well!' Not a person, not a big prayer service, not long prayer, just a word! 

In each instance we see the depth of their faith.  Of the three persons, two are not even Jews!  From their own personal observation and experience they trusted him so much that all they wanted was not a full-fledged presence of Jesus or his full attention or an extensive time-slot; but merely a crumb, the fringe of his garment, one word from his mouth!!

Media objectivity and reliability

 In times of crisis or turbulence in a country, we all rely on media to keep updated.  Because the turbulence or movements or protests is not geographically spread evenly across the whole nation. Moreover, even before it spreads across the whole country, it starts in one place and then slowly spreads across.  

The speed and intensity with which a movement picks up pace depends much on how media portrays the whole unfolding scenario. Often the state tries to silence or present a sober picture. But in an age of social media, the tiny bits and pieces of information and citizen "reporting" exposes the lacuna.  

The risk is when the state official media does not present the whole truth or consciously avoids essential elements of the report.  Then democracy itself is at risk.  On the other hand, social media points to the facts but is not necessarily always reliable.  Those media channels are not responsible to anyone and hence liable to be hijacked if the individual so chooses to.  Caught between this awareness that the state media isn't entirely objective and the risk of relying on social media content, the receiver is now forced to make a personal judgement.  

Be my baby

 Two lovely songs that I somehow remembered this night... 

The Ronettes singing 'Be my baby'... 

The following is a song that I remember from the movie Belfast, one of the movies I watched while in the UK.  Watching the movie in the context and in the country make it all the more special.  Not every one who watches the movie will FEEL it except those who have been through those time or places! 

Integrity and holiness of life - 2

 I glanced through the book The Dual Form of the Salesian Vocation by Andrea Bozzolo.  Read through the Theological interpretation of the dual form of the single Salesian vocation, as presented by Bozzolo.  Nonetheless, two aspects that stand out for me as serious lacuna which Bozzolo seems to have either missed out or misinterpreted.  

The first aspect is the emphasis and foundational character of our Salesian vocation: Consecration.  This dimension is something in common for ALL Salesians - irrespective of one's choice of brotherhood or priesthood. As Salesians, our identity is that of consecrated individuals, even prior to our identity as priests.  Now if this is not the case, then we are merely diocesans, wearing a different cloak and having a different abbreviation after our name, for the show of it. 

Now I thought I had heard this aspect of the CONSECRATION from Fr Ivo, who in turn heard it from Bozzolo.  Perhaps this book was an earlier interpretation or text from the pen of Bozzolo.  Or I am mixing up my sources! Nonetheless, this is one point that is certainly a very essential aspect missing in the book. 

The second aspect is that of the notion of integrity and holiness.  Somehow, it appears to me - not necessarily that it is what Bozzolo actually meant to say -  that Bozzolo isolates the Brother as the only one of whom integrity and holiness of life are expected.  Not necessarily of a priest!  Because in Bozzolo's understanding, the priest has the authority of the Holy Orders. And that seems to suffice!  Whereas a brother has to 'earn' his authority from the integrity and holiness of life and work that characterizes his life as a brother.  

I believe authority comes from integrity, no matter what state of life one is called to live.  Holiness is not a given grace that automatically transforms a person, without his or her own effort or attempts at being open to that grace!  If one does not live an integral life, no matter how many layers of Holy Orders one puts on or is bestowed with, one lacks depth, spirituality and holiness.  On the other hand, if living an integral life, no matter what 'lowly' work one does, one is holy.  In short, no one, not the priest, not the brother, not anyone, is exempted of this attempt at living a life of integrity.  

Integrity and holiness of life

 An extract from the book The Dual Form of the Salesian Vocation by Andrea Bozzolo (trans. by Michael Smyth) Bangalore: KJC Publications, 2019, p. 69 [emphasis added]

The Salesian Brother's ... way of evangelizing does not take the priestly form of preaching, liturgical proclamation of the Word, or celebration of the sacraments, but rather the typically lay form of making room for the Word of God among the things of the world, transforming work and the effort it involves into an act of love for his brothers and a true spiritual sacrifice pleasing to God, while not excluding explicit proclamation and catechesis.  Thus the integrity of his life will enable him to speak not in the name of ecclesial authority that comes from the sacrament of Holy Orders, but by the authority that comes from the holiness of life.  This is what we see very clearly in the lives of holy Brothers such as Artemide Zatti, Simon Srugi and Stephen Sandor.  They did not preach from the pulpit, but their workplaces - the hospital in Viedma, the clinic at Beitgemal, the printing press in Budapest - became places of extraordinary proclamation and irradiation of the faith.  Indeed, all the work they did spoke of God. 

Personal commitment

 I had another round of discussion with a confrere this morning, again very profound and touching some of the basic issues concerning our Salesian apostolate across the province and in the individual communities.  

One of my primary concerns - was and - is that we Salesians have become numb to the challenges of the youth!  We have found our safe haven in our houses and in our own worlds.  Our commitment to respond to the needs of the youth, is lost when faced with the slightest of discomfort or smallest of a hurdle.  We have basically losing or lost the SPARK!

I truly believe that if I am passionate about working with and for the young, and I notice that there is a challenge which the young people are struggling with - not in the air, but in my vicinity - I will pour out myself, in response to it.  Literally, pour out myself.  I will use every bit of space, every tiny infrastructure, every resource around me, every ounce of my strength and give my best to assist the young or the needy.  I need to 'own' up that challenge, with and for the young.  I will not wait for a mega project to be sanctioned, a new building to be put up, extra space/land to be provided, or someone from somewhere giving me directions as to what to do.  I will just do whatever I can, with whatever I have.  

Without that bit of will, that tiny effort, that initial investment of myself - all of myself - (and the little I have), no amount of money or resources or infrastructure or land or even God himself (by Himself, all alone) can make any meaningful and sustained impact.  

Future of apostolate

The future of our Salesian apostolate lies in building people, movements and processes, rather than continue the erstwhile style of huge buildings, heavy machinery and mega projects. Therefore, to be future-ready we need to be clear with our vision, generous with our commitment and be data-driven about the contextual needs. Openness to partner with like-minded individuals (especially, laity of the Salesian movements) and organisations, is another must. Without any of these essential aspects, we would end up doing great and good amount of work but without much impact.

That's my personal take on the way we need to approach the ministry in practice.  However, at a more deeper and personal level, without personal commitment to Jesus and His Gospel values, the end result too is going to be the same as the concluding line of the previous para.

God in search of man

 

One of the yardstick of measuring our own spirituality - if at all, one can have one! - is the ability to see how passionate are we about cherishing being in God's presence, rather than striving to please him.  The former attitude presumes God is ever present in my life and the latter perspective is based on our pursuit of his eluding presence! 

Presence and accompaniment

 In an era where AI is making significant waves, for good and for bad, one reflection that I came across that makes profound sense to me as a Salesian, an educator: 

The AI offers answers, not necessarily a presence. The AI may provide solutions, but not necessarily consolation and accompaniment.  When God chose to reach humanity, he did not send information. He chose to be present in person. 

However, I am also aware of the danger of side-lining this AI wave as not overriding. Wisdom and happiness lies in striving for balance, making the most of the opportunities without compromising on basics and values. 

Valiant effort

 Glancing through news bits of the day, I came across the following post on X, with news of Amul Cooperative congratulating Yamini Maurya, a medal winner at the Commonwealth 2026 games.  

Honestly, I knew nothing about her or her achievements.  Never heard about her.  But what struck me was the photo.  Not the people in it, but the location. It certainly seems her home.  Bedsheets and mat on the floor.   Trophies lined up on a ledge.  Extension box and charger wires.  And it has an asbestos roof!!  

In an age where most people live in pucca houses, with multi-storeyed luxury rooms, here is a young lady, who has brought fame to the nation through her hard work and effort, living under an asbestos roof! From that one fact alone, I gather how much of an effort would she and her family have made to rise up to the national level sports competitions.  

Kudos to the whole family for their sacrifices and valiant effort.  Appreciation and congratulations to Yamini herself - and the many more like her who make the most of their meagre resources, with an iron grit and a large heart.  

The dynamics of why and how

 Last night I had a long and very revealing discussion with one confrere.  It was basically about finances but that was not the core.  We were basically discussing about the fixed deposits and the way I have been classifying them under a heading, with a clear purpose for each of those FDs.  Discussing and explaining to him about the financial situation and plans of my office, over the last four years, I realised for myself how profoundly my own emphasis on purpose has shaped the financial resources (available, investment and future reserves). 

I have never been a big fan of money or let finance decide my plans and motives.  That's a fact everyone knows, including myself. And I'm very happy for it.  What I do strive to seek is PURPOSE.  Because I've come to believe that if I have the purpose and intention clear, the path will unfold before me, not necessarily at the beginning of the initiative, but eventually and certainly.  So anytime there is something I strongly feel that we as Salesians need to engage ourselves with, finances is never on my list of immediate requirements or needs.  It never has been, never will it be!  And I believe that's the way it is to be.  

Don Bosco's trust in Divine Providence is exactly this practical outlook: Do the good; the necessary support or resources (even financial) will eventually flow in.  But if it is the reverse, namely, finances is my priority, then we hardly do any good!  Everything is mostly about finances and not about the good to be done. 

Learning

 Another powerful representation of the present reality of technology and human beings... 

This statement depicts the stark reality of today's life.  AI is gaining importance at a phenomenal pace. Human's are not a match to that progression and change.  However, rather than make the most of the technology at hand and excel in what we are good at, most are in a race against or for AI.  

Arrive Alive!

 Driving to Nalgonda this morning, we saw this billboard raising awareness of safe driving and traffic... Interesting caption! 

Identifying oneself

 Identity is carved out in association, rather than in isolation. This is one fact that struck me hard and strong years ago when I was preparing a paper on the Salesian Brother.  

Often we think that in order to make ourselves stand out we need to be apart from the rest.  But even there, without the other(s), we do not have a measuring yard.  

Understood in this context, the invitation of Jesus to lose oneself, in order to find who we truly are, makes perfect sense.  Only when we understand all and everyone around us, do we begin to make sense of ourselves!

Borrowed impressions

 In Hyderabad, for quite some years now, there is this ritual one gets to notice practically every morning, all across the city.  There is the municipality garbage van that goes around collecting garbage, door to door.  Nothing unusual about that itself, except that the van has a 'wake-up call'.  A particular tune and song that is played, followed by a message calling upon the ladies of the houses to bring out the garbage.  

Initially I never 'heard' it! Once someone commented on it at table and since then everytime I heard it, I felt annoyed and irritated by it.  Now after a couple of years, I don't 'hear' it again! Not that they have stopped announcing or changed the call sign, it is just that my ears don't pick it up.  

I realised the initial annoyance at that particular sound was because the negative observation and comments I first heard about it.  Not that I personally made an opinion.  I merely imbibed and assimilated that negative impression.  Now, on those rare occasions, that I hear the song and the message, there is still a bit of that awkward feeling, but not as strong as before. 

Surprising myself

 The joy of having successfully completed a task is good. But the joy of having completed a task of which you had no clue or knowledge about and which you discover so much in the process of fulfilling it, is truly great! 

Such was one of my experiences yesterday.  I observed an SMS that I received on the office phone a month ago and I could not make head or tail of it.  So began my attempt to understand what it was all about.  It was about an application that we had submitted in 2020, six years ago.  The government had not decided to act upon it and also grant a concession for completing the process within a stipulated time. It was about the Layout Regularisation Scheme (LRS) of the Telangana govt.  

Yesterday I completed the process of reducing the quoted fee by more than half.  All of this because I discovered, through a long and passionate follow up, that the calculation was wrong - although that miscalculated figure itself was far FAR below the present day rates.  

Another instance of me surprising myself!  From the classroom to the courtroom. From being a lecturer to being an administrator.  From philosophy to economics and law.  

And the journey continues! 

Guard your compassion

 Here's the extract of the letter (dated 23 July 2026) written by Amol Palekar addressed to the Gen-Z students protesting at Jantar Mantar over the last few days.  I liked especially the concluding words of encouragement: 

Take care of one another. Guard your compassion and your hope.  Do not allow anger to harden into hatred.  Stand firm.  Walk forward without bitterness, without fear and without apology. 

My name

The power and influence of one's name over ones own life, especially the psyche, is enormous. I've seen its influence over the years of my work with the young Salesians and Diocesans. 

There have been times, when years later, people have approached me with a BIG THANKS, for one primary reason: consistently addressing them by their name, rather than the nickname given by their own companions. Even to this day, I prefer to call people by their given name or a name they liked to be called by, rather than a nickname or some weird nondescript sound. 

 

Love transforms everything

 [Reflection by Fr Jijo Jose Manjackal MSFS] 

 A Dutch diamond collector was seeking for a very rare diamond. 

 A diamond dealer in New York heard of this inquiry and contacted him letting him know that he believed he possessed the diamond he was looking for. The diamond collector arrived and the dealer had his salesman present the diamond. 

 The salesman described all the technical aspects of the diamond. However, within minutes, the diamond collector rose his hand and said: “I am sorry! This is not the diamond I am looking for” and began to walk away. 

 Watching from a distance, the diamond dealer hurriedly intercepted him and he asked him if he could present the diamond again. Since he had travelled a long distance, the collector agreed to listen once again. The dealer pulled out the same diamond and started describing his admiration for this particular diamond. 

 Within minutes they were signing papers, and the diamond was purchased. 

 As the gentleman was walking out, he asked, what just happened? Why was it so easy for me to say no to your salesman a little while ago, while with you I purchased the diamond? The dealer replied: “That salesman is the best in the business. He knows more about diamonds than anyone, including myself, and I pay him a large salary for his knowledge and expertise. But I would gladly pay him twice as much if I could put into him something I have, which he lacks. You see, he knows diamonds but I love them!” 

 Love transforms everything!

Groundnuts (Part 2)

  Two stories related to groundnuts are famous in the Province. The second story, sometime in the 2000s, at Karunapuram. 

This incident was during the time of Fr Gopu Marreddy as administrator at Karunapuram.  This is narrated and verified by him in person! 

It was his first year as administrator at Karunapuram and there was the place around the football court that was cultivated once or twice before him.  The farmhand reminded Fr Marreddy that it was time to plant something in the garden and when asked what was planted the previous year, the farmhand replied that they had planted groundnuts.  So they decided to cultivate the same.  Fortunately there were some leftover seeds of the previous year and they decided to use them instead of purchasing again.  

The seeds were planted, they sprouted, the community was involved in taking care, additional people were employed to weed and spread manure and fertilizers and finally the crop was ready for harvest. The Brothers did the harvesting and the yield was good and plentiful.  

As a goodwill gesture, the same evening Fr Marreddy sent small portions of the harvest to the neighbouring religious of Karunapuram.  The next day morning when he went to the JMJ convent for Mass, he noticed the Sisters quite amused and jittery! He somehow celebrated the Mass without being able to shake off this feeling.  After Mass when he entered their dining hall for breakfast, the Sisters, in chorus, congratulated him:  "Congratulations dear Fr. We never ever heard or saw this before, but you successfully managed to grow seedless groundnuts!!"  

It turned out that although the harvest appeared good and was plentiful, it was empty inside for most of it!!! Thus began the saga of Fr Marreddy growing 'seedless groundnuts'!  

Groundnuts (Part 1)

 Two stories related to groundnuts are famous in the Province. The older story first. 

In the early years of St Antony's, Kadapa when the Salesians were entrusted with the house and much before the Hyderabad Province was carved out, Fr M. A. Jacob was the Rector and Fr EJ Mathew was the administrator.  So on the particular occasion of the commemoration of the multiplication of the walnuts by Don Bosco at the Oratory during his time, the Salesian houses then distributed groundnuts in India (for walnuts were not available). When it was the day, Fr Jacob reminded Fr EJ to get groundnuts for the Technical school boys. Fr EJ's Telugu was not that good, but somehow communicated to the staff to get the groundnuts. 

When asked how to distribute it, Fr EJ told the staff to fry them.  "But how?" asked the staff. "Mix them up in sand and roast them in a pan," was the instruction given out.  The staff looked puzzled and not sure if that was right.  After much insistence he did it. Before the distribution could begin, he brough out the bowl. Inside it was groundnut powder mixed with sand!!! The staff had understood groundnuts as groundnuts powder!!!  

Dependence

 My recent reflection based on the FCRA cancellations and the upcoming concerns with foreign funding, brings back to the fore our reliance on projects, to the extent of crippling out initial passion to work by ourselves. The availability of funding actually makes us lazy!! 

Earlier our predecessors worked with a vision, firmly rooted in the context of the place. Their humble initiatives were not project-bound. They just did all they could. Their time, talents, will and available resources were the investment. Recognising this total and joyful commitment, donors offered their mite by way of financial resources. The focus of our early Salesians was not projects or funding; it was the apostolate. At no costs did they halt the apostolate, even when funding dwindled. God provided. 

Today we ride on the merit of their hard work. Our commitment levels are far lower than theirs. Riddled with personal agenda and selfishness, our apostolate is often a showcasing of ourselves rather than a genuine concern for the growth of the young people. In such a context, external funding only feeds our lethargy and selfishness. 

So I wonder, if my insistence on accountability is misplaced. The greater emphasis should be on discerning the real needs of the young, with a far sighted vision for their long term growth; earning by the sweat of one's brow; maximum utilisation of available resources rather than new resources - with a clear firm focus on the young and God, taking ones own wants out of the calculation. 

Staying put on the primary purpose

 The parable of the good seed and the bad seed, calls our attention to focus on the purpose and not be distracted or settle for something less (negating evil) than primarily intended (doing good).

Weeds are a nightmare for any gardner. They are those plants which have mastered every art of survival except that of growing in straight lines. Moreover they never can be got rid of. However the farmer in the parable chooses to stay focussed on growing wheat and not to focus on the weeds. He chooses to stay a farmer rather than turn detective hunting down the culprit who showed the darnel; or shift his attention to the weeds, at the cost of the wheat. 

The farmer stays put on doing good (growing useful wheat) rather than eliminating evil (weeding out the darnel). The former indirectly achieving the latter, while the latter does not always or necessarily result in the former. 

Thanksgiving rather than a petition

 Lord, stay with us! 

This was the theme of our recollection talk yesterday.  Drawing it sensibly from the passage of the Emmaus story and the numerous instances in the Bible, the talk highlighted the importance of this short but effective prayer: Lord, stay with us! Also a very very Salesian theme (accompaniment!). 

The talk also included the narration of an incident in the life of Mahatma Gandhi.  He was once travelling by train to Bhuvaneshwar to attend a rally.  He chose to travel in the general compartment, packed with people. Those accompanying him and others who knew him offered him a seat in that packed compartment.  A bulky man too entered soon after and noticed the extra space for this 'skinny man' - people out of respect dared not to cramp Gandhi and hence had made extra space for him.  This hefty man, not recognising Gandhi, was infact going to the same place to listen to Gandhi! They did interact a couple of minutes but not much.  Only on reaching the station and noticing the crowd gathered to welcome Gandhi, did he realise that he travelled a long distance beside the very man whom he wished to hear - without knowing and engaging in a conversation! 

Such is also our rapport with God.  While the prayer, 'Stay with us, Lord' is a very genuine and heartfelt prayer, I believe it is not always the right kind of prayer.  I believe, God is ALWAYS with us.  It is we who do not feel his presence.  Hence rather than ask Him to be with us, we ought to pray that we realise and cherish His presence.  From another perspective, more than a petition, the latter attitude or realisation is a prayer of thanksgiving: THANK YOU Lord, for being with me! 

Pick your battles

 This evening while in prayer it struck me that I ought to share with some young Salesians this advice: Pick your battles. 

With more and more complexities in community life and apostolate, the major hurdle often is lack of communication and discord within the community.  While there is much to be done outside, when there is discord within, there is hardly anything substantial or meaningful achieved elsewhere.  But when there is communion within the community, in spite of and through the internal disagreements and fights, miracles happen! 

In those places where there are people who are well intentioned and hard working, there is also this sort of ego clash that breaks the harmony.  The disagreement is not about the task as such but perhaps about the way of going about. Such and other trivial matters need to be cleverly handled and understood. They are often not the crux of the matter and hence need not - and should not - becomes obstacles for the process of good.  

If the matter is not concerning basic primary principles or values, but only accidentals, one can give in for the greater good rather than fight it out for the trivial matters and miss out doing the greater good.  Hence the need to be prudent to pick one's battles.  Not every battle is to be waged, leave alone won.  Not worth dissipating our energies on the non-essentials.  But if it pertains the core matters of our life and living, and it makes a world of difference to the beneficiaries, then it certainly is worth battling it out.  

Inadequacy of words

 I personally prefer to spend time in silence while in the Chapel.  Words and long prayers really don't offer me much of help.  But in silence and personal conversation, I find peace and great meaning.  

There is only so much that words can express.  Emotions and feelings often are on another level. The inadequacy of words is apparent all the more when the words and text are of someone else. While prayers and words of someone else often has a supportive character, they fall short of always being personalised.  I am unique and so is my context and life.  Hence it is very very difficult to match that with someone somewhere sometime and his or her life and context.  Sometimes even my own words feel insufficient or even obstructive. 

The best is that silence which does not easily let one be idle!  Silence in prayer has a totally different aura about it and the impact it has on oneself. 

 

Appreciation

 There is on some rare occasions a fervour aroused and a passionate appeal made on behalf of certain sections or professions in the society.  All of these professions are certainly noble and praiseworthy.  It is just that the fervent stirred is short lived!  Take for example, the focus on farmers.  Then there is the patriotic sentiment aroused in the name of the armed services. Or the doctors. The whole country is carried away by these 'advertisements'.  But their genuine needs and protests are not something that touches or moves us.  

The farmers agitation in north and south India went on for months.   During that time, there was much media publicity about these protests.  Slowly that wound up - the broadcasting, not the protest.  What happened to those farmers and their attempts is unknown!  But we had our supply of fruits and vegetables - and we were happy! 

Each of these services is truly of great importance. But when the span of attention and appreciation is very short and passing, the respect due to them is not genuine.  It is only a fad.  

I came across someone sharing their experience of some shops in Japan displaying, with the farm produce, the name and photo of the farmer who cultivated them.  That's something noble. A truly personal touch and link between the end-user and the producer of the fruit or the vegetable.