The United Nations Organisation has declared the present year (12 Aug.2010-11Aug. 2011) as the International Year of the Youth (IYY). The Pope has also, keeping in mind the role of the youth in building the present society, invited the whole universal Church to celebrate the IYY. Though no special celebrations of the IYY have taken place in India, the Konkan Karavaliche Kalaakar (KKK), Mangalore, under the experienced play-writer and director Rev. Dr. Mark Castelino is celebrating the IYY by staging a Konkani historical mega Drama on the life of Don Bosco, the patron of Youth. Don Bosco was born on 16 August 1815 at Becchi, near Turin, Italy. Due to the local problems of the youth, Don Bosco took up his dedicated service to the youth after his ordination 05-06-1841. He began to meet the poor street boys and young prisoners in prison and began to develop a soft corner to youngsters. When many parents refused to take back their sons after a short duration of imprisonment (due to petty thefts like stealing bread) the youngsters finding nowhere to go, took shelter under Don Bosco. The talk of the town in Turin spread far and wide as Don Bosco opened the doors of his residence to the prisoners, thieves and problematic youngsters. Through his own efforts Don Bosco began to teach faith and morals to the illiterate youngsters and began to build self confidence in them by allowing them to play football. The youngsters began to receive some ray of hope in their lives as they were accepted by Don Bosco, while on the other hand the youngsters were disowned by their parents. Don Bosco began to teach them slowly various types of trades so that the youngsters could stand on their own legs in the society. When the local Italian government was struggling to house 200 prisoners, Don Bosco was feeding and training 300 youngsters in skilled trades like carpentry, cobbler, tailoring, book-binding, printing press etc. Hence the government learns from Don Bosco various methodology and techniques used by Don Bosco in handling and guiding the youngsters. As a result the general public developed a deep sense of respect towards Don Bosco and the Church for not only rendering selfless service to the youngsters but teaching the youngsters various types of trades to earn their livelihood in the society. This historical mega Play is written and directed by Rev. Dr. Mark Castelino and was staged at Puttur Church garound on Easter Sunday 24.04.2011 at 7.00 p.m.on four drama stages with the co-operations of 100 artists.

There is no one in the world history who has worked and dedicated ones entire life to the youth except Don Dosco. The various government departments, government organisations, non-government organisations and the society at large should learn from Don Bosco (as the Italian govt. learnt from Don Bosco) as to how the present society can be built by adopting the various methods and techniques of Don Bosco. If the youngsters are neglected the families will suffer very badly because all the youngsters hail from families and they are always in need of proper motivation, guidance, and encouragement to build a just, peaceful and harmonious society. The future of the society depends on the present youth. Since the present Konkani mega Play is a free show (organised by Don Bosco Club, Puttur) to the public all are welcomed (to contribute the mite to meet the expenses) to watch this mega show on Easter Sunday 24.04.2011 to build a young society. The writer and the director of this present Konkani mega Play Rev. Dr. Mark Castelino has vast experience in writing, directing and staging Konkani historical mega Play to his credit. He has been staging Konkani mega dramas since 2007. The Konkani Mega dramas staged by Rev. Dr. Mark Castelino are as follows:

1) Somiyachin Nimaani Baara Voran (The last 12 hours of Jesus) written by Mr. Joel Pereira, acted by Konkani Naatak Sabha, staged by Rev. Dr. Mark Castelino at St.Agnes Special School ground, Bendure, Mangalore, on 18.03.2007 to a crowd of more than five thousand people. 2) Jesu Bovanrichyo sthriyo (women around Jeusu) written by Arunraj Ludrik acted by Mandd Sobhan, staged by Rev. Dr. Mark Castelino at St. Agnes Special School ground, Bendure, Mangalore, on 09.03.2008 to a five thousand crowd. 3) Jenthilancho Apostle San Paul (St.Paul: An Aposle to the Gentiles): A Historical, Religious, Social Konkani Mega Play written by Rev. Dr. Mark Castelino for the ‘International Year of Paul’, acted by Mandd Sobhan, and staged by Rev. Dr. Mark Castelino, at St. Agnes Special School ground, Bendure, Mangalore, on 09.03.2008 to a six thousand crowd. 4) Kumsaracho Apostle San Juvan Marie Vianney (St.John Marie Vianney: An Apostle of Confession) A Historical, Religious, Social Konkani Mega Play written and directed by Rev. Dr. Mark Castelino for the ‘International Year of Priests’, acted by Konkan Karavaliche Kalaakar (KKK), Mangalore, Taccode, and staged by Rev. Dr. Mark Castelino, at Holy Cross Church ground, Taccode, on Easter Sunday 04.04.2010 to Taccode and neighbouring people. 5) Kumsaracho Apostle San Juvan Marie Vianney (St.John Marie Vianney: An Apostle of Confession) A historical Konkani Mega Play written nd directed by Rev. Dr. Mark Castelino for the ‘International Year of Priests’, acted by Konkan Karavaliche Kalaakar (KKK), Mangalore, Taccode, and staged by Rev. Dr. Mark Castelino, at Ajekar Church ground, Ajekar, on 09.05.2010 to Ajekar people. 6) Yuvajanacho Apostle Don Bosco (Don Bosco: An Apostle of Youth): A historical, Religious, Social, Konkani Mega Play written and directed by Rev. Dr. Mark Castelino for the ‘International Year of Youth’, acted by Konkan Karavaliche Kalaakar (KKK), Mangalore, Taccode, and staged by Rev. Dr. Mark Castelino and Don Bosco Club, Puttur, at Puttur Church ground, Puttur, on Easter Sunday 24.04.2011 at 06.30 p.m. to Puttur and neighbouring people.