Pics: Dayanand Kukkaje / Spoorthi Ullal
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (ANK)
Mangaluru, Jan 22: Scores of youths descended on the streets of the city on Sunday January 22 to march in the peace rally held as part of the final day of ICYM 10th National Youth Convention.
The rally was flagged off by Archbishop of Bengaluru Dr Bernard Moras at Rosario Cathdral.
The peace rally passed through the city streets before culminating at St Aloysius College grounds.
At the formal programme held at St Aloysius College, Supreme Court judge Justice Kurian Joseph addressed the youth on Constitutional Rights and Duties - Youth Responsibility'.
"It is an honour to witness the unity of youth from across the country who are our future leaders. We have a solid principle of equality, liberty and fraternity and believe in true freedom. You are the children of god with no discrimination and every citizen should be treated equally. There has been discrimination on caste, creed and religion which needs to be eradicated as this nation comprises cultures and languages which change from place to place. This country has given birth to myriad religions which we need to be proud of," Justice Kurien Joseph said.
"It is a constitutional right to follow and propogate one's religion, and it is the right of every citizen. Be a true Christain and love the nation and be a part of the nation-building. If you participate, there is peace, if there is peace, there is development. Youth should feel 'I am the change and I can change'. Youth need to stand and look for the change and strongly believe in bringing the change.
"First you need to believe in your ability to change the world, unless you believe you will not be able to do it. This is the time to change and contribute to the country.
"There are certain roles, responsibilities and duties we have to fulfill as citizens of the country. If you violate the law, it will be a sin against the country. I urge the youth to involve themselves in building the nation and believe in bringing a positive change in society," Justice Kurien said.
Archbishop of Bengaluru Dr Bernard Moras said, "We should be united in faith. Be it our differences of culture or our strata in society, at the end there is one law, one faith and one baptism. We as Christains hold the value of Jesus dear to us and walk in his footsteps."
Bishop of Ballari diocese Dr Henry D'Souza, Bishop of Mangaluru Dr Aloysius Paul D'Souza, chief whip of Legislative Council Ivan D'Souza, MLA J R Lobo, member of Rajya Sabha Oscar Fernandes and others were present.
The 10th National Youth Convention which began on January 18 at St Joseph Engineering College, Vamanjoor, saw participation from thousands of youngsters from all over the country. The convention was held on the theme 'Touched by Jesus, Walking His Way' and the focus was on preparing tomorrow's leaders today. The convention was organized by the Indian Catholic Youth Movement (ICYM) under the auspices of the youth council of the Bishop's Conference of India, and hosted by the Karnataka Region and Mangaluru diocese in collaboration with the dioceses of Udupi, Beltangady and Puttur, for the first time in Karnataka.