25th January, Ramanthapur, Hyderabad

A much anticipated gift of an Ambulance from the GIC (General Insurance Company) came to fruition on the 25th of January, 2022 at the Don Bosco Navajeevan, Ramanthapur, Hyderabad. The Ambulance was inaugurated with a special program with dignitaries from GIC and DBN in attendance.

The program opened with a dance by the girls of Navajeevan Home after which Father Thomas Remalla, Director –DBNJ welcomed the chief guests and those in attendance both virtually and physically.

Devesh Srivastava, Chairman/Managing Director, GIC & Jayashree Prabhu, Assistant General Manager, GIC were present virtually along with Fr. Vijaya Bhaskar Provincial; Fr Noel Madhichetty, Director, Bosconet; Fr Sarath Asst. Director, BSA, as chief guests.

Smt. Jayashree Prabhu introduced the Guests of Honour from GIC who attended the program virtually – Mr. Hitesh Joshi, General Manager; Mrs. Modha Poojary, Deputy General Manager; Mrs. Janet Nair, Chief Manager; Mr. Nitesh Bhimte, Deputy Manager. Fr. Santhanam Asst. Director, DBN was also present virtually.

Fr. Koshy and Fr. Thomas welcomed the chief guests with bouquets and a shawl.

Fr. Thomas addressed the gathering and thanked GIC for helping the children of Navajeevan with the provision of the ambulance. He talked about how the ambulance will help in their commitment towards ensuring these young ones grow into their full potential with the support and care they need. Navajeevan houses children who are run a-ways, rescues and in those in need of counseling, medical care and support and the ambulance will meet these essential needs. He conveyed his heartfelt gratitude towards GIC for this donation. Navajeevan has been home to over 32000 children since its conception in 1999 and more than 13000 children and youth have received aid in some form through the home. The ambulance will support the children of the home and its surrounding slums and colonies who lack medical support. Timely medical intervention can help save and sustain many lives that come through the home.

The children of Navajeevan represented by a teenage boy and girl took the stage to express their thanks and share the heart wrenching stories of how they came to be at the home.

The ambulance was then inaugurated with the breaking of coconuts and a child from the home cut the ribbon. Fr. Vijay Bhaskar, Provincial, addressed the gathering, briefly describing the support that GIC has been to the home over the years. He mentioned the 5 buses that were donated previously by GIC and its usefulness, especially during the panic-filled pandemic, to shuttle children back and forth.

Mr. Devesh Srivastava, Chairman cum Managing Director, GIC, then spoke briefly to the audience virtually, saying that the donation was not so much a gift but a continuance of service towards ‘Don Bosco’ himself and his many contributions towards society.

Fr. Noel Madhichetty thanked the GIC management and staff for their past and constant donations. He mentioned that GIC has enhanced the Human Resources by supporting the education and health of vulnerable young people by partnering with the Don Bosco Network – Bosconet. GIC was the first friend who came forward to support Bosconet and continues to be a constant support.

The program ended with a song from the boys and a vote of thanks by Fr. Sarath, Asst. Dir. – BSK.