India – Deep Gurung: Past Pupil of Don Bosco and committed lay person: "Where there's a will, there's also a way"

18 May 2020

(ANS - Shillong) - With around 4,000 new cases of people infected with COVID-19 every 24 hours these last few days, India has extended its lockdown again until May 31, even though the different States can now autonomously modulate the rules which concern, for example, the opening of some shops, resumption of productive activities, the daily behavior of citizens. Of course, there is still a need for people like Deep Gurung, people who roll up their sleeves to help those who suffer most from the confinement measures imposed.

Deep Gurung is a Past Pupil of Don Bosco, a collaborator of "BOSCONET India" when it was led by Fr George Menamparampil, currently active as Coordinator of the Salesian Response to the Covid-19 emergency. Deep Gurung instead works for “Don Bosco Tech India” in Shillong in the Indian state of Meghalaya. He says: 

I have also done some work here... But although I did everything on my own, right from fundraising to distribution, I did it under DB Tech's name. Whatever I am today, whatever knowledge I have and whatever name I have made so far in social work in my place is all because of Don Bosco. I, being a Don Bosco student, definitely keep in mind all his teachings and he is my inspiration ... But at the same time, I always remember whatever Fr George has taught us and in times like this, I always recall what he said and taught and that gives me a push to move ahead with more power and belief and inspiration. I feel blessed that I worked with BoscoNet in his days.

Due to lockdown, people from rural areas are more affected than the urban people. Help was provided to the needy people of urban areas by different groups whereas the villages remained neglected. We decided to reach out to the most needy families from rural areas. For this, we contacted the headmen of different villages of West and East Khasi hills and got the details of 300 families who needed help.

We divided the whole group into three phases and started off our work. We have completed the 1st phase covering 138 families. We will soon begin our work on the 2nd and 3rd phase and by the end of this week or the beginning of the next, we will cover all 300 houses.

We thank especially DB Tech India and Fr. George Mathew (Director DB Tech India) for his support and Mr. Stelius (past pupil DB Tech, Nongstoin, Meghalaya) who helped us in identifying the needy families and the distribution of relief material. There was no way to send the materials from the capital city as inter-district movement is restricted but the need of relief material was urgent. But with the reach that Don Bosco has because of its good work for the needy people God sent someone to help us. Thus, Mr. Stelius, our past pupil, came forward to handle the issue. In this entire process I realised two things:

1. Where there is a will there is a way.

2. If you want to do something good for the society with no hidden agenda, then go forward with courage even if you are alone because God will send you all the help that you need – as Fr. M.C. George used to teach us in BOSCONET.

RELATED ARTICLE(S)

InfoANS

ANS - “Agenzia iNfo Salesiana” is a on-line almost daily publication, the communication agency of the Salesian Congregation enrolled in the Press Register of the Tibunal of Rome as n 153/2007.

This site also uses third-party cookies to improve user experience and for statistical purposes. By scrolling through this page or by clicking on any of its elements, you consent to the use of cookies. To learn more or to opt out, click "Further Information".