Earlier, the Xaverian Press would take up only the tasks of printing books, holy pictures and other related matter. But after the Xaverian Press was converted into Pilar Industrial Training Institute, it was the vision of late Fr Sergio Mascarenhas sfx to provide training to the Goan youth, besides the boys from the missions in desktop publishing and printing technology.
“It was Fr Mascarenhas who brought the boys from various mission areas to Goa and got them trained through various schemes made available by the state and central government,” said Fr Joseph Fernandes, the director of Pilar Industrial Training Institute. “Although many dropouts from various neighbouring schools availed of the facilities made available at the institute, more attention was laid on the mission boys and his prime focus was to get more uneducated boys from the missions and get them self employed,” he added.
After this innovative idea of training the dropouts and mission boys slowed down for some time, Fr Sergio requested Fr Fernandes to revive what was carried out earlier. In 2013, under the initiative of the present director, boys from various mission areas like Nagar Haveli, Gujarat, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Tamil Nadu, including Goa, were brought in and trained in various technical fields.
Initially, there were only seven boys making the most of the education provided at the institute. Later, the strength increased and now annually there are around 20 boys from the missions who are trained and prepared to stand on their feet.
“At the onset it was difficult to get boys at the institute, especially from the missions,” admits Fr Fernandes, but a visit annually to the mission areas like Nagar Haveli and Gujarat has made the task much easier. “Irrespective of religion, caste or creed, visits are made to Jharkhand, West Bengal and boys are brought to this institute.
Training provided to the students at the Pilar Industrial Training Institute includes desktop publishing and printing technology. “But in order to provide training in computers, these illiterate boys need training in English language,” informed Fr Fernandes, “so when boys come in by end of May, they are trained how to speak and write in English language for the entire month of June. Later, in July the 6-month course in computers begins. There is a set of time table wherein they are given opportunity to read newspapers and printed literature in English, besides laying on spoken English.”
It is a rigorous training in English language and computers for complete 8 months. The morning session is dedicated for classes in English and the afternoon session follows in computer training.
The boys coming from the missions are also assisted in getting the two and four wheeler licences as it could help them to seek self employment when back to their remote villages. “But the task of training in driving has become a little bit difficult of late,” informs Fr Fernandes, “on account of demand for the necessary Goan documents. But all the same, help is provided as those boys are financially backward and when back home when they do not have access to anything, they can at least take up driving and support their families financially.”
“The boys coming from remote areas across India encounter with a different environment here in Goa,” relates the director of the institute, “they realise that they have more potentialities in them and can do much more in life.” “So many have sought training in hotel management and nursing,” he added.
The boys who are introduced to the institute are not the cream in their respective villages, but they are basically either dropouts or those who have failed in classes X and XII. So this institute provides them a platform to get themselves trained and sustain themselves financially.
With regards to the strength of the boys enrolled in the institute from the missions, this year there are around 23 boys. “We show them the way to make their future bright,” conceals Fr Fernandes, “you can take a horse to the water, but cannot force him to drink. Likewise, these boys are trained. Initially, the training was totally free of cost, including the training to obtain the licence. But later a meager amount was collected, which includes food, shelter and training.
As these boys are from the mission areas where they don’t enjoy any facilities, relaxation is provided to them here by way of outings, watching films, picnics once a month and with the support of people of good will, they even get the opportunity to watch ISL matches.”
