SHILLONG: The13th NDF Annual meet was held at Bellefonte, Shillong from 27th to 30th November 2016. About 29 participants from 6 FMA Provinces participated in this meeting. We were honoured to have Mr. A.L Hek. local MLA and Sr. Isabella Suja, the Provincial of Shillong Province for the inaugural ceremony.

The NDF meet commenced with the Morning Prayer animated by Bangalore Province followed by the Eucharistic celebration presided over by Rev.Fr. Joe Xavier S.J from Chennai Province.

At 8.45 a.m. we gathered in the hall for inaugural function. The Boarding children of Lurshai sang welcome song and offered a bouquet of flower to the special invitees and all the participants. Thereafter, Sr. Isabella the NDF Coordinator delivered the welcome address which was followed by prayer dance and lighting of the lamp.

Sr. Isabella Suja in her inaugural message spoke on the fast changing world dominated by the digital revolution and how people are linked through digital network. She quoted Late Abdul Kalam: "Courage to discover the impossible, courage to combat problems and succeed".

The other key points she stressed on were to have the clear vision and the right goal like our Founder St. John Bosco and Cofoundress St. Mary Mazzarello so that we may never become exhausted in living, doing and giving the best of ourselves. Mr. A.L. Hek in his talk highlighted the sacrificing life of the priests and nuns in order to give life and future to the people especially the poor. There after the News Letter and Annual Report of NDF were released and copies of the same were given to the dignitaries.

After the inaugural function the brain storming work began in preparation for the five year plan. Fr. Joe Xavier led us very efficiently and methodically to plan for the next five years. First draft was prepared province wise and was presented to the groups in order to learn from one another and get better insight. By evening the final copy was ready and was submitted to Rev. Fr. Joe the consultant of NDF for modification.

The next day Sr. Isabella the NDF Coordinator introduced Mr. Joachim Lourdusamy, finance department, VIA Don Bosco, Belgium to the participants. After that each province presented their Annual Report. Mr. Joachim highly appreciated the NDF for their gradual and steady growth and he stated quoting the words of Simon Main "Team work makes the Dream work". He took a short session on how to build financial strategy. He also promised to journey along with us. Everything was well organised and well-coordinated.