Golden Jubilee Celebration of the Social Centre

Pune, 28 August 2019: While the Social Centre marked its Golden Jubilee, people of 197 Villages of Karanji had a reason to celebrate the integrated Watershed Development Programme. This programme was implemented by NABARD and is one of the people centric development initiative of the Social Centre.

In a meaningful programme to rejoice the Golden Jubilee, attended by several provincials, students of Ashakiran, welcomed the chief guests- Bishop Lourdes, Ms. Usha Mani-Assistant Manager of NABARD, Fr. Jerome Gonsalves, and Fr. Dcruz, etc., through a song & a prayer. The celebration began with the lightening of the lamp by Bishop Lourdes, Fr. Siju and Ms. Asha Mani. Fr. Siju – the director of Social Centre gave a speech about the history and achievements of Social Centre. He said in his speech “Many organizations taking inspirations from us, send their students to Social Centre to learn about the Watershed program and social development work of Social centre”

The Felicitation ceremony began with Bishop Lourdes felicitating Fr. Siju for his hard work and commitment towards Social Centre. The ceremony continued with the felicitation of all the people who strive hard for the success of Social Centre and were a part of the incredible 50 years journey.

Assistant Manager of NABARD, Ms Asha Mani gave a speech on the collaboration of NABARD with Social Centre. Recognizing the efforts of the Social Centre to curb the water problem in drought prone areas of Maharashtra, she said in her speech that Watershed Development the programme has been an immense success and this program through NABARD has now been implemented in other states of India.

ADO Fundraising Officer Mr. Jairaj Dsouza was also felicitated recognizing the work of Assistancy Development office towards Social Centre.
The program ended with the vote of thanks by Fr. Siju followed by the lunch which was organized by the village people. Currently, Social Centre working in Karanji which is a taluka in the border of Maharashtra. Karanji is grappling with an immense shortage of drinking water and has just received 50 ccs of water this year. Social Centre is trying to restore the water cycle through soil and water conservation and is also committed to building capacity for local leadership.

Social Centre is a philanthropic organization of the Pune Jesuit Province and is involved in comprehensive sustainable development of communities in drought-prone districts of Maharashtra. Human Dignity and social justice are the core values of Social Centre, it mainly focusses on developing the drought-prone areas through implementing Integrated Watershed and Water Resources Development Programmes.