Shillong, 2 August 2026 — The Association of Salesian Co-operators, INS Province, held its Annual Regional Congress here on Sunday at Mary Help of Christians Parish, Don Bosco School, Mandwi, drawing together promised Co-operators, Aspirants, and Salesian animators from across the region for a full day of prayer, formation, and fraternal discernment. The Congress, which ran from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., concluded with the election of a new Regional Coordinator and Vice Coordinator for a three-year term.
The gathering brought together the provincial leadership of the Association together with the local Co-operator community of the region. Fr. Joseph Anikuzhikattil, SDB, Provincial Delegate for the Salesian Family, led the provincial team, accompanied by Kong Ireland Doonai, Provincial Coordinator; Kong Purnima Khonsit, Provincial Administrator; Bah Bhabok Kharkulai, Provincial Formator; and Bah Marius Kharkongor, Provincial Councillor. Sixty-four promised Co-operators and twenty-four Aspirants took part in the day’s proceedings, making it one of the more well-attended regional gatherings of the Association in recent memory.
The Congress was anchored in the celebration of the Holy Eucharist, presided over by Fr. Blasius Kujur, SDB, Parish Priest of Mary Help of Christians Parish, Mandwi. He was joined in con-celebration by Fr. A.L. Joseph and by Fr. Lukas Murmu, Principal of Don Bosco School, Mandwi, who together with the host parish extended a warm welcome to the visiting Co-operators and Aspirants. The liturgy set the tone for the day, situating the Congress within the Salesian charism of Da mihi animas and the Co-operators’ vocation as apostles of the young in the secular world.
Through the course of the day, the participants were led through a series of formation sessions animated by Rev. Fr. Joseph Anikuzhikattil, SDB, Kong Ireland Doonai, Fr. Joseph P.J., SDB, Fr. Joseph Palamthattel, SDB, and Sr. Marcellina Sangma, FMA. The sessions offered the Co-operators and Aspirants an opportunity for deeper reflection on their identity and mission within the Salesian Family, and were marked by active engagement from the participants. Sr. Victoria Saioo and Sr. Rihun Sten, FMA, serving as local delegates, were present throughout and took an active part in the proceedings, lending their support to the animation of the region’s Co-operator community.
The Congress drew to a close with the election of the new Regional Coordinator and Vice Coordinator, who will guide the Association at the regional level for the coming three years. Mr. Manoj Jamatia was elected Regional Co-ordinator, with Mr. Raju Lal Deb Barma elected as Vice Coordinator. Their election was received with warmth and appreciation by the assembly, and the provincial team assured them of continued support and accompaniment as they take up their new responsibilities.
The Annual Regional Congress once again affirmed the vitality of the Salesian Co-operators’ presence in the INS Province, and the day’s proceedings reflected the Association’s continuing commitment to forming lay apostles who, in the spirit of Don Bosco, place themselves at the service of the young and the Church in the region.
Reported by INS Correspondent
