Udupi Diocese

YCS / YSM Regional Convention

The second day of the YCS/YSM Convention began with the Holy Mass celebrated by Fr. Deepak KJ Thomas the NYD. Fr. Mari Joseph in his Homily said that we need to be ever-ready to share when the opportunity arises through the example of Jesus feeding the 5000. The inter-religious prayer was conducted by Fr. Victor DYD Gulburga and his team. Scriptures from various religions were read. The silence in between the scriptural reading were the hallmark of the prayer session. The action songs were conducted by Roshan Lobo the NEXCO. Fr Mari Joseph introduced sister Margarette, the former YCS er. Roshan Lobo NEXCO and his team from Mangalore presented the documentary of YCS/YSM history. The documentary presented the various activities conducted in the Dioceses of Belgaum, Chikmagaluru, Gulbarga, Shimoga, Mangaluru and Udupi. It also highlighted the present scenario in the present Regional and National Executive committees. Fr Mari Joseph the RYD introduced Mr. Francis D’Cunha YCS resource person and presently the headmaster of Padua High School, Mangaluru. There was a cell meeting on the theme ‘Education in Modern Era’. A question paper was circulated over the topic ‘Present day education system doesn’t relate students with reality of life’ much ahead of the convention and the results of the deliberations were brought to the open forum of the cell meeting of today. The questions for discussion circulated were:

1. Do you justify this opinion? Substantiate with 5 examples.
2. What do you expect from education? Suggest ways to accomplish them.
3. What is your opinion about weight of school bags and burden of syllabus? What do you expect from the authorities?
4. What do you understand by ‘qualitative education’? What do you expect from this concept?

'Competitions should be delinked from education to foster the value of co-operation'

A paper was presented on the above topic by Miss. Jesvita Quadras, NEXCO Mangaluru and Sudarshan Naik the YSM president of Udupi Diocese. Fr Eugene Lobo moderated the session and gathering all the information from the delegates, the panelists and from the paper presentation he made his observations. These observations were to be formulated into a memorandum to be presented to the concerned authorities. A team of 10 people were formed to prepare the memorandum. Mr. Francis D’Cunha helped the delegates to prepare the memorandum. After the lunch action songs were taught. This was followed by a session by Sri Ravindranath Shanbagh a social, environmental and human rights activist. In his deliberation he spoke about the various social issues pertaining to human rights. He also elaborated the issues regarding Yettinahole project and brought awareness among the students citing about the geographical imbalance that it would bring. He also spoke about the habitat of the Western Ghats.

After the talk on Environmental challenges a session on mass media was conducted. The moderator present was Fr. Denis Dsa. Mr. Mohammad Naseer spoke about social media like facebook, whatsapp etc. He also said that through mass media we are losing skill to interact with each other. Miss Melrida Rodrigues ex council member of Mangaluru diocese spoke about types, advantages and disadvantages of mass media. She said that youth today is so addicted to social media that they don’t have time to have an interactive relationship with others.

After a short tea break REXCOs and the Volunteers delighted everyone with action songs. Fr Mari introduced Mr. Roy Castelino, the president of Konkani Sahithya Acadamy. Mr. Roy Castelino spoke to the audience about being leaders in the society. He added quoting ‘We want our children to be on top in every profession’. He also gave information CAP (Career Advancement Program) which was introduced by the Bishop of Bellary Most Rev Dr. Henry D souza. He concluded saying that as YCS/YSMers we need to form the society and be the proud youth of Karnataka. Mr. Richard Lewis, a renowned comedian and famously known as ‘Recharge Richie’ entertained the crowd and increased their enthusiasm. In a very humorous way he conveyed a very strong message about being equal and keeping aside our religion and caste he said that if a person respects and follows all religions then he said to be a true human. He added that we need to denelop communication skills. With the guidance of Fr. Charles students from Belguam, Chikmagalure, Udupi, Mangaluru, Shimoga expressed their views in YCS. Mr. Leo from Tamil Nadu and Sr. Margerett from Bangalore also shared their experience in YCS from the past many years. They told about the inspiration gained from YCS, their capability of facing the audience. They all were gretful towards this life giving movement. Fr. Franklin honoured Mr. Leo and Sr. Margeret. This was followed by inter religious prayer and supper. A cultural program was presented by all the dioceses. The day ended with a short prayer lead by Fr. Mari Joseph.