Daijiworld News Network- Mangalore- with inputs from Johnson Miranda, Moodubelle, Pics by Wilson D’Souza, Shirva

Shirva, Feb 26 [9.30 pm IST]: The Indian Catholic Youth Movement (ICYM), Udupi District Central Council, in its effort to gather the youth of Udupi district under a common roof, organised Udupi District Youth Conference on Sunday February 26 at Saud Sabha Bhavan, Shirva.

The theme of the conference was “Christian Youth Towards Social Transformation.”

The programme was inaugurated by Fr Valerian Pinto parish priest church of Our Lady of Health Shirva. In his inaugural address, he urged the youth to be disciples of Christ and follow his teachings.

On the occasion, Bishop of Mangalore Fr Aloysius Paul D’Souza, the president of the programme was honoured for his constant support to the Udupi District Central Council (UDCC).

In his presidential address, the Bishop urged the youth to be true followers of Jesus Christ. He called the youth to take active leadership in all the parish activities. He also lamented on the underutilization of the available opportunities by the youth.

President of ICYM Mangalore Diocese Arun D’Souza who spoke on the occasion voiced the need for energetic, educated and employed youth.

President of ICYM UDCC Raviraj D’Souza welcomed the gathering. President ICYM Shirva Varado Merwin D’Souza proposed the vote of thanks.

The event was compered by Godwin D’Souza and Lavina D’Souza.

Later during the sessions, programme officer of CODP Wilson B D’Souza spoke on ‘Higher Education and Government Jobs. More than 600 youth from 47 parishes of Udupi District (Karkala, Udupi, Kundapur, Shirva and Kalyanpur Varados) were present at the conference.

The valedictory ceremony was presided over by director of ICYM Shirva Varado Youth Council Fr Joseph Machado

Episcopal Vicar of Zone Fr Valerian D’Souza, parish priest of Our Lady of Health Church, Shirva Fr Valerian Pinto, director of ICYM Mangalore Diocese Fr Elias D’Souza, assistant director of ICYM Shirva Varado Youth Council Fr Vincent Sequeira, director of ICYM UDCC Fr Peter Pinto, lady animator of ICYM Udupi Dist Youth Council, Sr Roseline Pereira, president Raviraj D’Souza, secretary Michael Rodrigues, president of ICYM Shirva Varado Youth Council Mervin S D’Souza, President of ICYM Shirva Rajdeep Gomes and all office bearers of ICYM Udupi District Youth Council were present on the dais.

The talented youth were honoured by Fr Elias D’Souza, while Fr Valerian D'Souza felicitated the donors of the conference.