The annual youth meet of the year 2011 held on August 21 at St John's Regional Seminary, Kondadaba was a fitting finale for the Year of the Youth (August 21, 2010 - August 22, 2011) declared by the United Nations last year. Neatly coinciding with the World Youth Day, the youth meet witnessed 275 young people from 29 neighbouring villages and Parishes spend a day in earnest, discussing and learning some serious issues of the Indian socio-political scenario. The day was animated by Fr Pallithanam Thomas sdb and two of his staff members, Mr John and Mr Kumar, in active collaboration with the Youth Alive group.
Much before the day dawned, the Youth Alive team members had planned, prepared and set everything in place to receive t
he youngsters at the Seminary. The programme was initiated through a Prayer dance and the lighting of the lamp. After a few words of welcome, Fr Pallithanam led the group into some serious reflection on issues that plague the Indian society. Steadily he guided the participants, the Brothers included, through the Indian Constitution and its various amendments, with the sole purpose of highlighting the fundamental rights of every citizen of the country.
After the break, the youngsters were divided into small groups (according to their respective villages) for a practical panchayat type discussion
of their own village problems and possible solutions for the same. The presence of Brothers in each group served as catalysts. These issues and their possible solutions (as which could be initiated and carried out by the young people themselves) were collated and presented to the whole group after lunch. From there on, Fr Palli and his team, proposed and highlighted some means through which these problems could be tackled headlong. The best and the most effective means being the Right to Information (RTI).
The programme which had a lot of awakening words, challenging proposals, entertaining dances and a few recreating games ended with an elaborate note of challenge by Br Bolle Bhaskar. The simple lunch was facilitated by the Speed n' speed group with generous assistance from the youngsters themselves. Besides the presence of the community members, Frs Santhosh and Prashanth from Chodavaram Parish and Kailasapuram Parish respectively graced the occasion along with a large contingent from both the Parishes. Much credit goes to Br Behera Sateesh, the Regent for having coordinated the whole programme right since its conception along with the Youth Alive team members.
Photos: Br T. Kamalesh
Text: Br Jerome Emmanuel
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