HISTORY OF BOSCO INTEGRATED DEVELOPMENT SOCIETY (BIDS)
May 25, 2012: Foundation
The story of Bosco Integrated Development Society (BIDS) begins on May 25, 2012, when the new Provincial Council of the new erected Shillong Province convened to discuss the establishment of a Development Office. Recognizing the need for structured support for underprivileged communities, the council laid the groundwork for a dedicated organization focused on empowerment and development.
June 24, 2012: Vision Articulation
By June 24, 2012, Fr. Cyril Tirkey, the economer of the province, articulated a vision that would guide the newly proposed office. He presented the Vision, Mission, and Goals, introducing the name "Bosco Integrated Development Society" (BIDS). Alongside BIDS, a second society, the "Don Bosco Developmental Society," was proposed to further the mission of community development. Fr. Cyril was entrusted with the responsibility of drafting the Memorandum and rules for both organizations, setting a strong foundation for their future operations.
June 2012: Pivotal Visit
As BIDS began to take shape, Fr. Cyril made a pivotal visit in June 2012 to the Rilang Children's Home and the Bosco Reach Out (BRO) office. During this visit, he engaged with staff members, including Mr. Thomas R. Mallai, the Administrator of the Shillong office of BRO. This meeting highlighted the ongoing projects in the Khasi-Jaintia Hills of Meghalaya, which included Childline Shillong, Family Counselling Centre, Rilang Children's Home, Community and Sustainable Development Project (CSDP), and the Village Health and Sanitation Programme. Initially, BIDS focused on managing the Village Health and Sanitation Programme and a Capacity Building Programme for village artisans.
2012-2013: Challenges & Resolutions
However, the journey was not without its challenges. Fr. Cyril faced several hurdles while working with the Director of Bosco Reach-Out to transfer existing projects. Key issues included the pending registration of BIDS and the need for separate registration of the Rilang Children's Home due to new banking regulations. Additionally, there was an outstanding advance of nearly 7 Lakhs in BRO's account for Rilang Children's Home that required careful resolution.
After extensive discussions with the Governing Body and the Director of BRO, agreements were reached to transfer the Childline Shillong, Family Counselling Centre, and Rilang Children's Home to BIDS. The CSDP, which was scheduled to conclude in March 2013, would remain under BRO's management. The transfer of these projects occurred in December 2012 and February 2013, but funding was delayed until both BIDS and Rilang Children's Home were officially registered.
March 22, 2013: Official Registration
On March 22, 2013, BIDS received its official registration under the Meghalaya Societies Registration Act, XII of 1983, signifying a major milestone in its development. BIDS was now recognized as the Province Development Office (PDO) for the Salesians of Don Bosco in Shillong Province, with its headquarters established in Nongshiliang, Nongthymmai, Shillong. The society dedicated itself to serving the impoverished communities of Meghalaya, Tripura, Mizoram, and the Barak Valley region of Assam.
2012-2020: Growth Period
From 2012 to 2020, the BIDS office operated from the Rilang Children's Home building, effectively addressing community needs while laying the groundwork for future growth. The organization's vision aimed for a society where everyone had equal opportunities for growth and self-sufficiency, promoting a culture of fairness and contribution.
The mission of BIDS was to bring positive societal change by empowering individuals to become agents of transformation through skill-building, entrepreneurship, advocacy, and collaborative efforts. Its core values included self-belief, trust, dignity, teamwork, integrity, diligence, peace, and equity.
BIDS set ambitious goals: championing the rights of the underprivileged, optimizing resources for self-help, ensuring effective governance, creating job opportunities, and promoting sustainable livelihoods.
2012-2024: Infrastructure Development
Between 2012 and 2018, BIDS experienced significant infrastructure development under the leadership of Rev. Fr. George Maliekal SDB. This initiative included the construction of additional facilities such as training halls, dormitories, kitchens, and washrooms for the Province Development Office. The project was supervised by Fr. James Thyrniang SDB and culminated in the laying of the foundation on March 28, 2019. The new building was officially inaugurated by Mr. Charles Pynrope, MLA, and blessed by Rev. Fr. Paul Olphindro Lyngkot SDB on August 12, 2020, in the presence of Fr. Glorious Syiemlieh, the Rector, Fr. Genesius Wanniang, Fr. James Thyrniang, and few Salesians from around Shillong. Funding for these additional facilities was provided by the Rector Major and his councillors through Salesianas Missiones in Madrid, Spain, along with support from the Province of Shillong.
In 2022, BIDS initiated the construction of its administrative wing under the leadership of Fr. Genesius Wanniang. Rev. Fr. Augustine Koottala SDB laid the foundation stone on September 10, 2022. This new wing was blessed and inaugurated by Rev. John Zosiama INS Provincial on May 21, 2024, in a ceremony attended by Fr. Genesius Wanniang, Fr. James Thyrniang, Fr. Cyril Tirkey, Bro. Anand Lakra, Fr. Shemphang, Fr. Komborsing Sun and staff, marking another significant step in the organization's journey.
Executive Leadership
Throughout its history, BIDS has been guided by a series of dedicated Executive Directors. Fr. Cyril Tirkey served from 2012 to 2018, followed by Fr. Genesius Wanniang from 2018 to 2024, and currently, Fr. James Thyrniang leads the organization.
The narrative of BIDS reflects its unwavering commitment to fostering sustainable development and empowering underprivileged communities, encapsulating a journey marked by resilience, collaboration, and a shared vision for a brighter future.