Bangalore: Over 6,000 Youth Participate in ICYM's 'Rise and Shine'
Denis D'Silva
Bangalore, Jul 19: The Indian Catholic Youth Movement, Bangalore organized 'Rise and Shine for a Better World', a one-day Youth Convention at the Palace Grounds here on Sunday July 17.
A mammoth congregation of 6,000-plus youth danced sang, prayed and swayed to the glorious sounds of music and promised to 'Rise and Shine' to make this world and their church a better place for all. The Archdiocesan youth director, Fr Divya Paul in his address to the youth said, "India as a country has the largest population of youth, and by 2020 India's average age range will be 25 to 30, if that is what it is, the implications are many, most importantly - that what we invest in the youth of today will influence the destiny of families, society, the church and the country, and the investments are worth the effort."
The guest of honour at the inauguration Ronald Colaca said, "We Christians have the right to live with dignity and pride," and added “Do not be afraid to fight for it. Be united even as the world tries to divide you, in the name of religion, language, caste, colour and creed."
He asked the youth how many of them want to be doctors and engineers and a good number of them raised their hands. Then he asked how many of them would like to be politicians, to which hardly two or three responded. Finally, he asked how many want to become IAS/IPS/IRS/KAS but no one raised a hand.
On the response of the students, Colaco said, 'Due and adequate representation of Christian community in all three important pillars of democracy that is, politics, administration and judiciary is very important in the present social climate. If we build up adequate representation in these three key areas, we can solve our problems ourselves and ensure no one does any injustice to us."
To enourage the youth to take up administrative streams, he announced an assistance of Rs one lac each for twenty meritorious students, totally a sum of Rs 20 lac, for necessary training for IAS/KAS/IRS/IPS this year.
He appreciated the services of missionaries, priests and nuns in education, health and social sectors which have brought name and fame to the community inspite of its 2.25% presence in India and 4% in Karnataka.
He said it was the duty of ICYM-moulded youth to protect Christian institutions and the religion. Colaco expressed concern over the fact that ICYM-moulded leaders are not being found in areas of social leadership, politics and during times of crisis like church attacks.
He explained how he could support gram panchayat and other election candidates in Mangalore, Udupi and Karwar districts who have succeeded at the local levels. He asked the youth to follow the same in IAS/KAS exams.
He also thanked chief minster B S Yeddyurappa for forming the Christian Development Board in the state.
The governor of Karnataka H R Bhardwaj said that youth in modern India had a great responsibility of not only contributing to the development of the country, but also ensuring that the freedom and unity that our forefathers fought for were not disrespected and discarded in selfish politics that could destroy us. In order to do this, he reminded the leaders of the church and society that it was important to guide the youth and ensure that they were on the right track. "It is our responsibility to make sure that our youth are properly guided, because the future of our society lies in their hands," he said, adding that conventions such as this would go a long way in accomplishing the task.
Archbishop of Bangalore, Dr Bernard Moras, who graced the convention, said that "this is the time for youth to rise above all pettiness and evils, to stand tall and shine forth."
The national directors of ICYM Fr Alywn D'Souza and the newly-appointed national youth director Fr Franklin D'Souza were also the guests of the day and were honoured for their service and leadership to the Catholic Youth Movement.
The entire day with numerous talks, themed dances, skits, choreographies, singing and dancing made it an enjoyable, soul searching and enlightening day for all the youth who attended. They returned home proud to be an Indian Catholic Youth. The Archdiocesan Youth Commission thanked all sponsors and donors who made this day possible.