A Preamble: The Salesians of Don Bosco
Don Bosco Society, variously known as ‘The Salesians of Don Bosco”, ‘The Don Bosco Educational Society”, etc., was founded by St. John Bosco (1815-1888), an eminent educationist in Italy. As a religious Order of the Catholic Church, the society has over 15,000 members working in about 132 countries. Through a global network of educational and social service organizations which include 14 universities, 81 institutions of higher education and thousands of schools, Technical institutions and social development centres, it caters to the less privileged and marginalized sections of society. In view of its reach and expertise in the field of education, catering to over nine million young people currently the world over, the Society enjoys consultancy status at the United Nations.

Don Bosco in India:
In India, the Salesians of Don Bosco began their operations way back in 1906. From a small beginning with a trade school and hostel for poor children at Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu, the society today has over 5000 members (Fathers, Sisters and Brothers). Its services are offered through 1 University (Don Bosco University, Azara – Guwahati), 28 colleges, 3 Engineering colleges, over 100 technical schools (Formal and Non-Formal), and a large network of high schools and scores of jobs and agricultural training centres, spread across the country, covering the entire spectrum of social development. The society is also involved in literacy centres, shelters for street children and rehabilitation and relief operations. The government of India has recognized the Salesians of Don Bosco as the largest non-governmental provider of technical education in the country.

Don Bosco Technical Institute, Lucknow:
Don Bosco Technical Institute, Lucknow was opened in 1991, at the invitation of Bishop Alan de Lastic, Bishop of Lucknow for the technical training of the youth, about 2.5 km away from the city. The Institute began with a hostel for boys undergoing training in two trades, welding and electricians. From the original shed that housed the training centre, the Salesian community and the boys hostel, the project spread to a three storey building for training, two building for boys’ hostels (to accommodate 80 boys), and a girls’ hostel (to accommodate 50 girls) with a section for the sisters community, a chapel cum auditorium, and new residence for the Salesian community. As years passed these trades have increased, and have been opened up to girls too.

In 1997 an outreach programme for the integral development of the neighbourhood was launched under the direction the Salesians with one of the Sisters of Charity, who were running the girls Hostel appointed to coordinate the works there with a staff of about 38 lay village workers.

In 2007 the street children’s home, “Ashalayam” was inaugurated shifting the inmates who were temporarily housed at the “strangers Home”, a diocesan property in the city. Currently, there are fifty boys and three Salesians involved in the Yar apostolate.