By Sr. Dr. Teresa Joseph, FMA –
June 9 saw a very unique official release of ‘Akasei Seema’, Assamese Translation of the English Best Seller ‘You Are Destined for the Skies’ penned by the motivational author Fr. Alfonso Elengikal ssp. What made the release very special was the presence of eminent personalities from the Academic and Professional fields and members of the Pauline Family gathered together at Peace Centre, Guwahati, with Fr. Alfonso Elengikal to “point to a horizon of beauty and to invite many more to a delicious banquet of values.”
The young brothers of St. Paul’s Guwahati sang the Prayer Song. The newly appointed Director of NESCOM Fr. Vincent Karmel SSP extended a very warm welcome to one and all present. Two visually impaired youngsters from Montfort School Guwahati surprised all with their music and song.
The original English edition was translated into Assamese by Prof. Dr. Makhan Lal Das, former Professor of Assam Engineering College, Guwahati, known for his scholarship and expertise in Assamese, and who has to his credit a number of books in Assamese. Introducing Akasei Seema, Dr. Makhan Lal Das, appreciated its contents and congratulated the author.
The book was released by Most Rev. John Moolachira, Archbishop of Guwahati. Padmasree Dr Laksmi Nandan Bora, renowned Assamese author and editor of GARIOSHI, Assam Tribune Group of publications, received the first copy of the book from the Archbishop. Rev. Fr.Januarius S. Sangma, SDB, Salesian Provincial, Guwahati Province, was the Guest of Honour.
Archbishop John Moolachira, well-known for his pastoral outlook and his agility to unite all under the banner of love was the one who asked Fr. Alfonso: what about the Asameese translation of You are destined for the Skies? He himself found the most appropriate person Dr. Makhan Lal Das to get an excellent work of translation done. His Grace had words of admiration for the book, accompanied by a great desire to make it reach as many persons as possible.
Padma Sri Dr. Lakshmi Nandan Bora, former President of the Assam Sahitya Sabha, Sahithya Sabha Awardee, renowned Assamese author with a number of books to his credit, well accepted beyond Assam and the world around, speaking about Akasei Seema expressed his yearning to make the book reach all the young people.
Fr. Alfonso has dedicated Akasei Seema to Don Bosco. Books for the Young Singles out for Special Praise affirmed Don Bosco, Father and Teacher of the Young. Don Bosco’s Letter on The Apostolate of The Press (“Spreading Good Books”) March 19, 1885 is a classical one for the members of the Salesian Family. Spurred on by that charming love of Don Bosco for the Apostolate of the Press, Fr. Januarius S. Sangma SDB, thanked Fr. Alfonso for the book. He spoke of his people, their culture and their love for reading and said one day he saw a lady glancing through the News Paper with her basket of vegetables on her head. Books can become very good companions for some continued Fr. Januarius. He wished that Akasei Seema becomes a good friend to many especially the young people. The vote of thanks was given by Fr. Alfonso Ekengikal Recalling the words of Leonard da Vinci “For once you have tasted flight you will walk the earth with your eyes turned skywards, for there you have been and there you will long to return”, Sr. Teresa Joseph FMA, the compeer of the release ceremony wished Good Bye to all, friends and esteemed guests.
You are destined for the Skies was first published in 2014. Today, this book is available in Assamese (2018), Khasi (2017), Gujarati (2016), Malayalam (2015), Hindi (2015) and Telugu (2015).
Fr. Alfonso has authored two other best sellers: You Can Make A Difference! and Let the Real You Stand Up. Collectively these books have sold over 1,80,000 copies in English alone. You can look out for his fourth book: Discover the Hero Within You by August 2018.