Declaration of the Silver Jubilee Celebrations:

25 years is a small pause to celebrate the history of an organization that is ‘built to last’. If we have achieved something, it is but a very small beginning. The world is an open field and we have many crops to sow. A bountiful harvest awaits all our stakeholders.

The Silver Jubilee Year was officially declared open by Rev. Fr. Raminedi Bala Raju, the Provincial of Hyderabad along with Rev. Fr. Thomas Koshy, Founder & Outgoing Rector cum Executive Director and Rev. Fr. Salibindla Balashowry, the incoming Rector cum Executive Director and Rev. Fr. Pradeep, the new Director on 23rd June, 2013.

The Provincial appreciated Fr. Thomas Koshy, the founding director and all the lay collaborators for their commitment and tireless hard work at the service of young at risk that they had enjoyed new life during these 25 years of its founding and continue to do so. He invited lay collaborators and emphasized the need of collective efforts for improving the living conditions of the children.

Our Silver Jubilee celebrations are not just about how far we have come, but also about how much shared value we have created for our stakeholders:

Thanks Giving Mass offered by Most Rev. Msgr. Govindu Joji, Apostolic Administrator of Vijayawada Diocese and Most Rev. Msgr. Polimera Jaya Rao, Bishop of Eluru at Chiguru-Children’s Village. It is particularly fitting that priests and religious along with the lay collaborators and children gathered on 24th January 2014 to thank the Almighty God for His unconditional providence and continuous support during the 25 years of its journey at the service of young at risk. His lordship Most Rev. Msgr Govindu Joji and several priests celebrated the holy mass. And his lordship Most Rev. Msgr. Polimera Jaya Rao shared the message. He appreciated Fr. Thomas Koshy and all his collaborators for their dedicated mission and congratulated Fr. Balashowry and team for such noble work. He shared about the value and need for working with the children at risk and thereby shares God’s love. He appreciated all the children for their performance both in academics as well as non-extracurricular activities and wishes all success in their endeavors. Marking this occasion, a statue of St. Don Bosco was also installed in the premises of Chiguru-Children’s village.

There are very few days in the Roman calendar which take precedence over the ordinary cycle of Sunday readings and prayers, but this Feast does take precedence, and it is a happy coincidence for us.

The readings of today’s Mass offer a beautiful insight into the paternal, and as the late Pope John Paul I famously observed, the maternal love of God for each of his creatures, fashioned in his own image and likeness …

Mr Sri.R.Murali, Metropolitan sessions Judge, Vijayawada, the Chief Guest and Guests of Honour- Mr. Ch. Syam Prasad, GRP Superintendent of Police, Fr. Maddichetty Notel, Secretary- SCPSA & Former Provincial of Hyderabad Province, Mr. M. C Das, Management Consultant, Fr. Thomas Koshy and Mrs. Anu Dasaka graced NAVAJEEVAN BALA BHAVAN Silver Jubilee Celebration function.

Navajeevan Bala Bhavan, Vijayawada celebrated its Silver Jubilee on completion of its 25 years of commendable service to the children in need of care and protection. It was a great moment that stirred the excitement of all the participants (National YaR delegates, civil society organizations, collaborators, supporters, children and staff of NAVAJEEVAN BALA BHAVAN. The programme commenced at 6.00 pm when the chief guest and guests of honor arrived at the portals of Thummalapalli Kalakshetra which was colorfully decorated. Fr. Balashowry, the Executive Director extended a warm welcome to the chief guest, guests of honour, dignitaries and the participants. It was a very proud moment for all participants to cherish the joy of the occasion on the eve of 25 years of Navajeevan’s founding at the service of the children at risk. The celebrations began with the lighting of the lamp by the Chief Guest and Guests of honor along with Fr. Thomas Koshy founding director and Mrs. Anu Dasaka, one of the key pioneers in Navajeevan Bala Bhavan. It was followed by the welcoming of the guests onto the stage and releasing of the Souvenir on occasion of Silver Jubilee Celebrations. The Chief Guest and guests of honor facilitated Fr. Thomas Koshy, founding director for his remarkable contribution for the street and working children. Then, a short documentary film was presented highlighting the history, activities, achievements and milestones thereof briefly. The children performed ballet depicting the nature of Navajeevan’s activities and unique approaches adopted by Navajeevan Bala Bhavan with the principles of flexibility and best interest of the child. Thereafter, Mr. R. Murali the Chief Guest and the guests of honor-Mr. Shyam Prasad and Fr. Maddichetty Noel addressed the gathering and the speeches were truly inspiring and encouraging all the children and participants as it focused on ethics, values and service to society at large and finally congratulated Navajeevan Bala Bhavan for such noble work. All the guests of honor were facilitated by the Chief Guest for their support. Later on, children of the different centers performed variety of cultural extravaganza which began with the graceful invocation dance, truly set the mood with a mix of songs, music, dance and a riot of colors brilliant performances during the function. The silver Jubilee Celebration ended with Agape meal for all the guests, participants and children.

The Staff of Navajeevan, who entered the eternal bliss while working. You always remain in our hearts. May your soul rest in peace!