TOP STORIES

Introduction: The IRSLTP for the regions Bihar, Jharkhand and Orissa was held at Sewa Kendra, Sneha Dhara, Patna from 26th to 30th Jan 2012. 42 students along with 6 animators and 4 full timers attended the programme. Main focus was given to the Student Leadership and the talks and activities were dealt with in detail making participants to benefit much out of it. The resource persons were apt and down to earth making the sessions participatory and the exposure visit to Gandhi Chowk and Tarumitra made a big impact on the lives of the students.  Shikha Remy and Anju Vincent were the conveners of the programme.

26th Jan 2012:
The participants reached the venue by 11am and those who arrived early were lead to introduce themselves in general who prepared for the inaugural programme well in advance. After lunch with a brief introduction and knowhow of it officially the programme began with the mass. Fr. Charles and Fr. Sabu along with Fr.  Lead us into prayer and asked God’s blessings on all the participants.

During the inaugural programme 3 students lighted candles as a sign of God’s spirit on us. Fr. James welcomed the gathering, Fr. Sabu informed about the rules and regulations, Fr. Charles thanked all for taking part in the programme and asked to cooperate with the organizers. Prayer song was lead by Orissa group and prayer dance was offered by Jasmine Tigga. The programme was compeered by Shikha and Ritesh Edgar.

Introductory games were lead by Roshan and Shikha which helped all introduce themselves through some activities. Groups were made and responsibility was shared after choosing the group leader and secretary. Evening prayer was lead by group 1 and that allowed us to munch our dinner.

After supper Fr. Sabu and Roshan Kumar through the game of joining the picture introduced the topic of leadership in which participants came to know the basic skills of Leadership and it made them feel that they have a big role to play in the days to come. At 10 all went to take rest.

27th Jan 2012:
The day began with the Holy Mass offered by Fr. Jose. After breakfast group 1 gave the resume of day 1 and follow up was taken up. Surender Ekka in the first session of the day dealt with Social analysis and present scenario of the society. He deliberated on the complexity of the society and the poverty it has in it. 5 points were taken for the discussion; they were poverty, illiteracy, corruption, caste system and joblessness for the learned as well as unskilled illiterate lot. Participants were made to think deeply about the facets of life and understand the importance e of preparing oneself to face the society and the reality. It was a serious session by participation and the students did mean the difficulties they need to face when they grow young.

Then the participants visited Gandhi Chowk to have a glimpse of Medha Patkar and to listen to her in her fight for the marginalized people. In the hot sun students shouted slogans in favour of change in the government sector to take care of the poor and marginalized. Listening to the complexity of the government projects all felt that something has to be done when they grow young and the same was elicited from them by Fr. James Rosario after reaching the venue. Discussion followed after the talk and students were made to prepare a action plan to fight for the cause of poor people. Taking up leadership was the main focus of the talk as these participants jump into the society when they are to do so soon.

Afternoon session was headed by Fr. Charles Menezes who gave a glimpse of what YCS/YSM is and how it helps people to work for the transformation of the society by being a change agent in the society. The methodology and working principles of YCS was clearly elicited so that participants may take up the causes of the society through this movement.

In the group work a situation was created which had to be solved by the students and after a thorough cell meeting Jasmine played the role of an Principal to make the students deal with that situation and things were clarified further. It was an interesting session to see how students think and participate in the day today events of the society and school.

In the evening everyone presented their talents through local cultural programmes and after evaluation left to take rest. Rakesh , Shikha, Anju, Roshan Harsha and Sapna helped us see the day smoothly.

28th Jan 2012
Archbishop William D’Souza offered Mass for us and instructed us when we do mistakes it is better to accept and correct than hide it and suffer later. Citing the example of David in the Bible he explained us how we can get grace from God to lead a better life by being sincere and truthful. He advised us to take up leadership in society by being somebody different than others since we are the members of this movement.

After the previous days resume and follow up, Mr. Ajit Julius guided us through the types of leadership and leadership in general.  Types and qualities of the true leader were elicited through group work in charts and Ajit explained this fact with the story of the frog which succeeded in attaining its goal. This talk enlightened us how we can also make a difference in the lives of people in the society with our little efforts. He advised us to neglect the people who make fun of those doing good for the society. It is a part of life and we need to face it.

After tea break Fr. Premlal gave the session on types of leadership in PPT. He showed the video footage of Nick Vujicic who is a handicapped person and made us understand how blessed and important we are in the sight of God. It also reminded us to work relentlessly for the betterment of the society. Having faith in God and never give up attitude will help us attain our goals in life.

In the third session Mukthi Prakash led the participants into their past life and made them pick up things which changed their lives. The good and bad times, the difficulties and challenges in their lives were made to share with others. It was a heart touching session to hear from these young ones how these things have already affected them in their lives. Then Fr. Charles helped them understand the methodology of YCS through review of life and how it can help them attain positive attitude in life and deal with the problems in an amicable manner.

Jasmine shared her life experience to the participants which made them realize how important it is to face life than run away from challenges. Students were moved in tears by listening to her and many relived their own experiences of life. This is what YCS does for oneself to realize ones’ life and self.

YCS Quiz was conducted in the evening along with the entertainment programme and after evaluation the day ended with the night prayers. Rashan Kumar and Shikha helped us through the day.

29th Jan 2012
The day began with the Holy Mass offered by Fr. Philip the former YCS Chaplain of Bijhan who in his homily guided us our role in spreading the good news to the people as Christ did.  We are all sent by God to continue the good he did and unless we do it we will not have salvation, in the sense life to the full. So take up the mantle and work for the liberation of the masses was his message.

Today we visited TARUMITRA Ashram a place for environmental grandeur. Fr. Robert Athickal took the session on environmental degradation and the need to save the green earth through human means. He in his talk and PPT guided us to know many plants which are in the verge of annihilation which are good and medicinal. After the talk we were lead in three groups to have a glimpse of his Garden of Eden and introduced us to various plants which we never saw and also to other plants which are of great use to us. The waste material which we litter here and there was used in a beneficial way to build up Tarumitra was a surprise for us all. The simple things and methods of using them in the right sense would bring about a big change in the environment.

Then Sr. Margaret told us a story of how the earth would be a 2070 which highlighted the future concerns of environment which we need to keep in our mind. The lunch was environment friendly and we did enjoy it to the full.

In the third session was conducted by the foreign students who have come to learn at Tarumitra. They gave a glimpse of their country and what are they here for. Then we were lead to understand how we can save energy through the example of Shwetha Marandi  who has done a great job in educating people and students in saving energy through various means. We were also told about the girl Yugata Srivstava who made a difference in UN assembly pleading for the cause of young generation to save earth for the future generation. Then we spent some time with the foreign students dancing and singing while others thanked Fr. Robert and team for leading us through the day.

After we came back students prepare collage basing on the days theme and prepared charts to explain how we can save the earth and energy. During entertainment students put up still act on SAVE EARTH followed by evaluation and night prayer. Ritesh and Anju helped us through the day.

30th Jan 2012
Morning prayers were led by group 5 and with the resume the day began with a session on self appreciation. Everyone was given a paper and having pinned it on their back they were to write a good quality of each other which made all feel that they are great and useful. Sharing their good qualities helped them realize that they are yet to grow and play an important role in the society.

Action plan followed according to their regions where questions were provided to pen down what they would do when they get back. Participants had concrete suggestions to put into action which would bring about a change in them. This is followed by evaluation of the entire programme. Participants were very satisfied with the programme and input sessions, activities and exposures as well as food and stay. Mohit Micheal and Rosaline Hansda were chosen as EXCO members for Bijhan region and introduced to the group.

Valedictory Mass was offered by Fr. Antony the pioneer of YCS movement in Bijhan region who was happy to share his experiences of the past and blessed us to do the best in life and keep doing the good work through this movement.
At the valedictory programme the Chief Guest Fr. Antony honored the participants with certificates, Animators and facilitators with gifts and shared his thoughts over teenage training. Fr. Sabu and Fr. James thanked all for their support and active participation. Fr. Charles thanked everyone for organizing this programme especially participants from Orissa, Jharkhand and Bihar. The programme came to end with the YCS anthem and prayer. Participants left home with heavy heart after having a wonderful time with each other through these five days.