Fr. VM Thomas SDB
Visionary Salesian priest, educator, and social innovator whose determination established the flagship 15-acre Don Bosco Institute campus at Kharghuli, Guwahati to empower generations of youth across Northeast India.
The Genesis: From Humble Beginnings to a 15-Acre Landmark
All profound movements begin with a spark of purpose. In 1991, when Rev. Fr. VM Thomas SDB spearheaded the establishment of the Don Bosco Youth Mission and Educational Services (DBYES), the guiding ambition was simple yet audacious: to create opportunities for the marginalized and rural youth of the Northeast.
Through unyielding persistence, this dream culminated in the iconic red-brick, 15-acre campus at Kharghuli, overlooking the mighty Brahmaputra river. Inaugurated by Hon’ble Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh on November 22, 2004, the institute stands today as a monument of hope, skill excellence, and human resource development.
"To empower a young person with education and a practical skill is to liberate an entire family from the cycle of poverty and despair."
— Fr. VM Thomas SDB, Founder DirectorEducational Philosophy & Preventive System
Fr. Thomas anchored DBI’s training pedagogy in the time-tested Preventive System of Saint John Bosco — built on the three pillars of Reason, Religion, and Loving-Kindness. Rather than detached academic lectures, he championed immersive vocational training, hands-on computer literacy, communicative English, and leadership discipline.
Under his stewardship, DBI became a pioneer in launching job-oriented certifications in Computer Applications (CCA, DCA), Tally ERP, Hardware & Networking, Beauty & Spa, Aviation Hospitality, and Primary Teachers Training.
Grassroots Innovations: Bosco Barefoot College
Recognizing that rural youths often lack formal academic credentials, Fr. Thomas conceived and established the Bosco Barefoot College at Boko. This ground-breaking initiative delivered non-formal, livelihood-focused vocational trades — solar energy maintenance, motor mechanics, tailoring, and organic cultivation — to hundreds of underprivileged rural school-leavers.
National Governance & IAS Officer Attachments
In an extraordinary tribute to his credibility and developmental leadership, the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration (LBSNAA), Mussoorie partnered with DBYES under Fr. Thomas. For years, probationary IAS and Civil Service officers were sent on grassroots NGO attachments to DBI to study real-world development dynamics and youth mobilization in Northeast India.
Regional Peace Building & Socio-Cultural Harmony
Beyond institutional boundaries, Fr. Thomas served as the Convenor of regional Peace Initiative forums, facilitating conflict resolution and community solidarity during challenging periods in the region's history. His commitment to inter-community bridge-building established DBI as a neutral, trusted sanctuary of youth development for all ethnic groups.
Historic Archival Gallery
Key moments from Fr. VM Thomas's pioneering journey, including high-level delegations, Mother Teresa's blessings, and youth empowerment projects.
