They were moments of joy lit by the glow of fulfilment—when each of the deserving candidates was announced as winners of the National YaR Awards 2025 on 7 October. Especially joyful, was the realisation that the Salesian Province of Bangalore won six awards totally in various categories. Every one of the awardees is a valued and cherished partner of BREADS and therefore, it is an occasion of pride and joy to celebrate these achievements.
Initiated in 2013, by the Don Bosco National Forum for the Young at Risk (DB YaR Forum), the National YaR awards celebrate and honour outstanding achievements by its members in the service of the Young at Risk. For 2025, the awardees from the Bangalore Province were:
- Don Bosco Programme for the Young at Risk (PYaR), for Outstanding Work with the Young at Risk. The award was presented to Fr. Kuriakose Puthenpurayil, Director-PYaR. DB PYaR was recognised by the Kalaburagi District Administration as the best NGO for its commitment to the rescue and rehabilitation of child labourers. The NGO was honoured by the Deputy Commissioner of Kalaburagi on World Day Against Child Labour for its consistent work with the government and other partners in helping children move from labour to school.
- BOSCO Bangalore for an impactful YaR Collaborative and Community-Based Programme. The Ministry of Women and Child Development under the Integrated Child Protection Scheme, entered a formal MoU with BOSCO to implement its Alternative Care for Children at Risk programme across 20 districts in Karnataka. The programme aims to provide a secure and nurturing environment for children deprived of parental care, offering capacity building, advocacy, and alternative care placements to ensure their holistic development.
- Fr. Varghese Pallipuram, Executive Director of BOSCO Bangalore, for Personalities of DB YaR Forum, serving on Commissions and Government Bodies. The award recognises Fr. Pallipuram’s contribution to the YaR work as member of the State level Child Labour Elimination Committee in Karnataka in 2025.
- Mrs Padmakshi N K from CHITHRA Don Bosco, for Outstanding Work with the Young at Risk. Representative of Valmiki SHG promoted by CHITHRA Don Bosco, Mrs Padmakshi was honoured with the prestigious Kayakayogi State Award for her outstanding contribution to rural entrepreneurship and women’s empowerment. Through her efforts, Mrs Padmakshi has become a symbol of self-reliance and rural innovation, offering employment, skilling and inspiration to other women in her community.
- Master Raju Barman from BOSCO Bangalore, for Unique Achievements Done By Children below 18 years. Escaping two years ago from a miserable family situation in West Bengal, rescued by CHILDLINE, and being rehabilitated in BOSCO Yuvodaya, Raju is beginning to not just heal but thrive. Currently in 8th grade in St. Joseph’s School, Raju is shining among his peers. Elected Vice-Captain of the Blue House, divisional-level player of kho kho and football, state-level player of hockey and a gold medallist in Taekwondo, Raju was recognised as Best Sports Person in his school. This award celebrates his resilience and determination to excel in his life.
- Don Bosco Veedu and DREAM-Trivandrum for best YaR Short Film. Produced by DB Veedu for the BREADS’ Drug Rehabilitation Education and Mentoring (DREAM) initiative to help children and youth in Kerala dream beyond drugs, the short film Say No To Drugs was directed by Fr. Joby Sebastain Mattappallil and written by DREAM staff, Ms. Neha and Ms. Anuja. The film captures the resolve of the children as well as the adults of the Trivandrum to “Not to take any form of drugs, nor involve in selling of drugs. Drugs harm oneself, family and others around. I will fight against drugs and be involved in spreading awareness about drugs. I Say No to Drugs on this day.”
It’s special to note that DREAM, BREADS’ addiction prevention programme in Kerala that reached out to more than 500,597 children and youth with awareness, counselling and rehabilitation, was also part of the YaR Awards for 2025.
BREADS congratulates all its collaborators and wishes them continued success in the service of children and youth at risk in the states of Karnataka and Kerala.
