About Don Bosco Seri - History

History

About a kilometer-and-half from Liluah station, just 10 minutes of train travel from Howrah, within the high boundary walls of the Don Bosco Self Employment Research Institute at Mirpara, lie four acres of salvation for hundreds of school dropouts. Started in 1978 on hired premises by Bro. T.V. Mathew (SDB), whose connection to Bengal goes back to 1957, when he came to study in Bandel, the Institute shifted to this location in 1990 to keep up with growing numbers of students.

After running the programme for 12 years in a rented building near Don Bosco School, Liluah, authorities had to look out for a new site, as it faced shortage of space. Finally, after searching for two years, SERI got the present Site and shifted there in 1990. The property of 4 acres consisted of two factories that were closed down and the land was a jungle with dilapidated sheds. The first Salesians who worked with Bro. Mathew were Fr. M.M. Joy, Bro. Andrew Jojo, Fr. K. A. Thomas and others. Rev.Fr. K A. Joseph was the Provincial when this mission started. Since then it has been growing in all directions.

One man's vision & initiative has, over the years, successfully managed to bring hope to lives of many who would otherwise have been left out of the social mainstream. It is important, therefore, to ensure that this promise of hope is kept alive. Today Non Formal Vocational Training for dropouts has become a national phenomena copying from Don Bosco SERI.

The individuals / organization / foundation / banks / govt. that have rendered financial help to the centre are Fratelli, Commide, Dr. Helgo Mayer from Germany, Mr. Jean Paul, Dr. Raphael Gay, Mr. Pierre Joseph, Mr. B. K. Agarwal, SKIP, DBDOC, IDBI, ICICI, SIDBI, Govt. of India, West Bengal and the Provincial office.