Salesian Province of Mumbai

☼ DON BOSCO NARUKOT

HISTORY

Narukot is a small village situated about 65 Kms to the east of Baroda in Jambughoda taluka of Panchmahal district. It is predominantly a tribal area, comprising mostly of the ‘Rathwa’ and ‘Baria’ tribes. The main occupation of these tribals is agriculture. Agriculture here is rain-fed and is adversely affected by the degraded natural resources of land and water. Apart from agriculture, people also work as daily wage labourers in the nearby areas of Bodeli, Halol, Baroda and Godhra. The non-agriculture season witnesses a large scale migration to the cities of Baroda, Surat, Ankhleswar, Kutch and other adjoining areas.

Mrs. Vina Mody, wife of the late Mr. Piloo Mody, former Member of Parliament, impressed with the non-formal technical institute run by the Salesians at Chhota Udepur donated 40 acres of land to the Salesians in May 1985 to serve the adivasis of the area. In May 1987, Fr. Nelson Couto took charge of the plot and started the construction of the technical institute and the school building. One of the first activities that was begun was the boarding, which was started with 50 tribal boys. In 1989 the entire project was registered as a charitable trust under the title “Narukot Education Society”. In the same year the construction of the residence was completed, while the academic school and boarding were completed in 1991. The house was canonically erected in 1991 with Fr. Nelson Couto as its first Rector.

PRESENT ACTIVITIES

Don Bosco Primary School

The primary school started in June 1991, provides primary education to the tribal children from the near by villages of the Jambughoda taluka.

Piloo Mody High School

The school started on June 1991 caters to the educational need of the tribals of Narukot from Jambughoda, Halol and Bodeli taluka. In 1993, the school was recognized by the government. Till date, 269 students have passed out from the school with a success rate of 91.80%. .....

Village Development Work

Under Narukot Education Society, various village development work have been initiated to develop the standard of life and to support the primary occupation of the people - agriculture. Presently, the society is active in 25 villages. The development programmes carried in the villages include watershed activities, deepening of wells, construction of percolation tanks, seed and fertiliser distribution, community organisation and awareness programmes through Self Help Groups (SHGs) and youth groups, and alternative energy sources like biogas plants. Apart from this, 60 houses have been constructed for the homeless.

Village Education Programme

Under the village education programme, five teachers offer their services at the tuition classes for the children of the villages. Presently around 200 students are enrolled in these classes.

Technical Training Institute

The technical institute offers five trades - Tailoring, Electric Wiring & Jointing, Motor Rewinding, Fitter and Carpentry. After completion of the technical courses, many of the students have been employed in the Halol and Baroda GIDC industries. A few have also begun small enterprises of their own.

Don Bosco Boarding

The boarding presently caters to 108 boys who come from far away villages. Hostel facilities are also offered to the students of the technical training institute.