At Don Bosco Beatitudes Pongal festival was celebrated especially on different dates in each sector according to the convenience of the sectors. India traditionally has got different cultures and so we have a good number of festivals for different cultures and for religions. Before we’re done celebrating one, another comes right around the corner. Pongal festival also is one among them, it is a four-days-long harvest festival celebrated in Tamil Nadu, which falls in the month of Thai (January), when crops like rice, sugarcane, turmeric etc. are harvested. The term ‘Pongal’ in Tamil means “to boil”, and this festival is celebrated as a thanksgiving ceremony for the year’s harvest.
On 13th January we had Pongal celebration in our school. The celebration had begun in the morning at 10.00 am. Fr. Felix sdb Director of DBYC Vyasarpadi was the Chief guest for this celebration. Pongal celebration began with a prayer song then the staff and students welcomed the chief guest and the Headmaster in a traditional way by giving them fruits and sweets. 8th std students acted out a skit with a theme ‘avoid plastic and save nature’. This skit was prepared and acted out well. Thanks to the teachers who prepared the children well. Two of our students also spoke about the importance of the Pongal celebration. At last the chief guest Fr. Felix sdb gave a fabulous talk on “how important it is to celebrate the Pongal in this modern world. Through this celebration, we made children to celebrate this year Pongal in a meaningful way. In view of the Pongal celebration children also had competitions like rangoli, drawing and speech competitions. Prizes were given to the winners during the celebration.
In DBYC Vyasarpadi, the Pongal was celebrated on 13th January. Youngsters of our youth centre came together for this celebration. Pongal celebration began at 10.00 am, they prepared Pongal for the celebration. They also had special matches in honour of the Pongal. Fr. Felix sdb, the director, Bro. Anand sdb assistant director and the general secretary Mr. Krishnamurthy were the chief guests for this Pongal celebration.
At St. Thomas home for aged the Pongal was celebrated on 15th morning at 9.00 am. Pongal was prepared in the place where we had a celebration. Fr. Johnson sdb the administrator blessed and prayed for the people during the celebration. During this celebration, people were wishing each other “a very happy Pongal”. At the end of the celebration, all were given Pongal.
Pongal celebration took place for the women who are there in the self-help group (SHG) on 23rd of January. During the celebration competitions like preparing Pongal and Rangoli were conducted. Sr. Jamila sma and Sr. Arul sma were the judges and chief guest for this celebration.
Competitions began at 10.00 am and got over around 1.30 pm. The groups who prepared Pongal and made Rangoli for the competitions were exceptionally good. Each group had given their best for the competition.
Though we have celebrated Pongal in different sectors according to their convenience, it is very crystal and clear that we work for the poor who are there in different sectors. On the day of Pongal as the milk overflows in the pot, may the joy and happiness always overflow in the hearts of the poor people.
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