Alva Khyriem –
Aizawl: “It takes courage to go against the grain and stand up for what you believe in. The young have a unique role in building a youthful society with all their energy, talents and dynamism,” said Fr. Chetan Machado, Secretary of the Conference of Catholic Bishops of India’s Regional Youth Commission (RYD) and national chaplain.
Fr. Machado, who is also the Young Catholic Students (YCS) and Young Students Movement (YSM) director, was delivering a keynote address on the theme “Young Students for Youthful Life”.
The North Eastern Regional Youth Commission (NERYC), a regional youth development wing of the Catholic Church in north-east India organised its 1st YCS/YSM NE Regional Convention at St. Lawrence Parish, Ramthar, Aizawl Diocese in Manipur during March 17-20, 2023.
Fr. Chetan, through his presentation, led the students to become aware of the realities and challenges that they are facing today. He said that young students are now self-obsessed with trends and media and are being carried away by the world of individualism and materialism. Fashion and talents have become a show off for the young. Thus, as a result they have lost their original identity, self-respect, rights and dignity.
However, he asserted that the young have a unique role in building a youthful society with all their energy, talents and dynamism. The young will find their identity only when they live the opposite of trends. He encouraged the students to be responsible users of social media by spreading positive contents and as students to build a healthy relationship with family members, neighbours and companions in school.
The convention began with the hoisting of the Indian National flag and YCS YSM Regional flag by Most Rev. George Pallipparambil SDB, Bishop of Miao diocese and Chairman of NERYC and Most Rev. Stephen Rotluanga CSC, Bishop of Aizawl Diocese respectively. Over 350 delegates including priests, religious and animators from seven states of North-East India participated in the evnt.
This was followed by the Inaugural Mass celebrated by Most Rev. Bishop George Pallipparambil in the presence of Bishop Stephen Rotluanga, CSC as concelebrant. In his homily, Bishop George urged the students to be the disciples of light and lit the light to other people so that the world may never be in darkness. He said that this is possible only if we burn ourselves and keep the burning flame to others. To become a perfect disciple, he concluded one must acknowledge oneself, secondly one has to ask for forgiveness and lastly is to return to the Lord.
The welcome address was given by Rev. Fr. John Barman, MSFS and Regional YCS/YSM.
Day one ended with the felicitation of guests led by Ms. Alva Khyriem, YCS/YSM Regional President and Fr. James Zodinliana, Aizawl Diocesan Chaplain enriched in between by prayer dance and melodious voices of the well-known Choir of Aizawl Diocese.
Day two began with the Holy Mass led by Tura, Itanagar and Kohima Diocese with Most Rev. Stephen Rotluanga CSC, as the main celebrant in the presence of Bishop PK. George as the concelebrant. During the homily, the prelate urged the delegates to inculcate the virtue of Humility in their day to day lives and quote that “Humility as the mother of all virtues is one quality that draw us nearer to God”.
Mr. Jimmy Pdang, former YCS/YSM National President and IYCS Asian Coordinator conducted an ice-breaking session for the delegates to know about each other and their lives and cultures.
Thereafter, a short tea break was given to the students which was followed by the presentation of the present-day reality of YCS in Aizawl Diocese by Fr. James Zodinliana where he shared about the genesis, program and funding activities and the modus operandi of YCS in the diocese.
Some of the other notable speakers were Leo Joseph, former NEXCO, National Coordinator and present CCBI Youth Commission Advisor, Sr. Bernadeth Kropi, MSMHC, former RYD North East, Mr. Kamal Francis, Mr. Becare Me O Nongtdu, former ICYM North East President and present CCBI Youth Commission Advisor, Fr. Carlus Barwa, MSFS, Fr. Dominic Eddie Lalrintluanga, Sr. Esabella Sangma, Fr. Benny Vargese, Fr. Wilson Minj and several animators and youth leaders.
Later, Mr. Jimmy Pdang moderated a session on former YCS/YSM members on the question what YCS/YSM was to them and how did the movement transform their lives. The eminent panellists of this session were:
- Mr. Leo Joseph, Asst. Professor at Loyolla College, former NEXCO and Coordinator and Advisor of CCBI Youth Commission.
- Mr. Gilbert Chongthu, MCS, Sub Deputy Commissioner, Kolasip District, Mizoram and former YCS/YSM NEXCO
- Mr Kamal Francis, a banker and former DEXCO President at Chennal Mylapore Diocese.
- Mr. Abhishek Battacharya, National Coordinator of YCS/YSM
- Mr. Alan Lalrinawma, ICYM North East Secretary
- Miss. Caroline Lalrosangi, News Reporter at DD News Channel, Aizawl
- Miss Aushka Teronpi, News Anchor and YCS/YSM NEXCO
In their sharing, they stated that YCS/YSM was an eye opener for some of them in the course of time particularly in the growing stage of their lives. It was an opportunity to open oneself and work on self and have paved a platform for them to explore people, culture and places. Further, the being with the movement gives them holistic growth, Confidence and well-being growth. Notably, the methodology of YCS/YSM helps them personally in their professional lives as some of them have stated.
The second study session of the convention on the second thrust of the theme “New Society” was presented by Fr. John Barman, MSFS. The speaker exhorted that a youthful attitude can bring more happiness in the life of students. Youth is the time when one is young and he urged each one present during the convention to cultivate true friendships and experience the ideal of goodness by keeping the mind young and sharp. He encouraged the delegates to believe in their own abilities and not underestimate themselves at any point in life.
In the evening, the members of the REXCO and DEXCO team organised a Taize Prayer in order for the delegates to experience and spend time with God in silence. The evening was complemented by the cultural performances and presentations performed by the students of Agartala, Shillong and Guwahati Archdiocese. The Second day of the convention was then ended with the dioceses and parishes evaluation led by Mr. Leo Joseph.
The third day of the Convention began with a morning prayer and Inter-Religious prayer. Soon after breakfast, Rev. Fr. Chetan Machado briefed the students for the Parish exposure visits. Delegates were divided into 6 groups and with the help of Local Volunteers, each group went to different Parishes within Aizawl city.
The final study session of the evening was on the thrust “Safe School” in which Fr. Anil D’sa as the key speaker spoke about the importance of having a safe school in the present times. Through his presentation, Father enunciated the importance of Child rights and policies in schools and encouraged the students to be aware of their rights and raise their voices and concerns if they must be. He emphasized that students must learn how to survive in times of crisis and difficulties and in order to prepare themselves for the future, they should be able to prepare well from a young age. In conclusion of his presentation, he said that the safety of students depends on knowing their rights and knowing to choose and make proper decisions.
Later, the delegates witnessed an election of the new office bearers and REXCO members of YCS/YSM Northeast conducted by the Election Committee consisting of Mr Abhishek Bhattacharya, Mr Alan Lalrinawma and Mr Jimmy Pdang. After a round of transparent election through secret ballots, the newly elected office bearers and REXCO members of YCS/YSM Northeast for year 2023 to 2025 are;
- President: Elisha Kalai (Agartala Diocese)
- Vice-President: Christi Larinzuali (Aizawl Diocese)
- Secretary: Iteilung Nriame (Kohima Diocese)
- Media Secretary: Dime Nogachi Ch. Marak (Tura Diocese)
- Liturgy Secretary: Kenedy Shylla (Guwahati Diocese)
- REXCO: Chichang N. Sangma (Tura)
- REXCO: Andy Sangma (Agartala)
- REXCO: Loretta Humtsoe (Kohima)
- REXCO: Jane Lalnunmawii (Aizawl)
- YSM representative: Bhaswati Kalita (Guwahati)
- YSM representative: Bandana Singh (Guwahati)
The third day of the convention witnessed cultural performances performed by the students of Kohima, Itanagar, Imphal and Aizawl dioceses. The former YCS members of Aizawl were among the performers of the night who set the rhythm of the hearts of the delegates by their very short Gospel concert.