By Felix Anthony –
Guwahati: The youth of North East India gave an overwhelming response to the week-long ‘North East Got Talent’ online competition organized by North East Regional Youth Council (NERYC).
The Regional Youth wing of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference in India, NERYC organised competitions on three different categories in view of the upcoming National Youth Sunday and to keep the youth engaged during these lockdown times.
The participation of more than 300 catholic youth in the competitions on photography, singing and dancing from 1 to 7 July was a pleasant surprise the organizers.
“I am deeply thrilled to see such huge participation in the competitions from the 15 dioceses of the region”, said Miss Hittery Rebecca, the chief organizer and the National Treasurer of Indian Catholic Youth Movement. “The participation of youth in large numbers is an expression the huge pool of talent available in the region”.
A total of 111 youth participated in the online singing competition, 38 youth in dancing and 158 youth took part in the photography competition on theme ‘Prayer and Nature’ from the seven states of the region.
Expressing joy at the number of participants, Bishop George Pallipparambil, the NERYC Chairman, said North East India is a mountain of talent and it is good that the organizers gave the youth a platform to discover their hidden talents during this covid lockdown times. “I am sure these talents will keep our youth engaged and hopeful for better days ahead and give hope to others”, he said.
Sister Bernadeth Kropi, the Director of NERYC too expressed happiness and said, “I feel happy to witness many energetic, creative and aesthetic young minds so unique in themselves, coming together though this digital competition”. Congratulating the youth, Father John Albert Ryntathiang, the Diocesan Youth Directors’ Representative of NERYC, said, “Because of the talents of our young people our social media pages are now filled with lovely devotional dances, inspirational songs and captivating photos”.
The selected panel of judges is going through the entries. The names of the winners of will be declared on 9 August, the National Youth Sunday.