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BIRDY, Don Bosco Nagar Post, Bandlaguda Jagir, Hyderabad, 4-5 January 2020: The Youth Ministry wing of the Province of St Joseph, BIRDY organized the Annual Youth Fest at BIRDY from 4th to 5th January 2020. It was headed by the Youth Director, Fr Raja Donthi and the BIRDY Community with his assistants Bro. Thumma Pradeep and Bro. Gollapalli David Sundar from Shillong.
Accordingly, it was inaugurated with a theme “Youth in Nation Building” and with an objective to hear the voice of youth, to encourage the youth to engage with public issues, understand the common man’s point of view, form opinion and express it in an articulate manner and to develop and enhance decision making abilities. Fr Santhiagu Thomas, vice provincial, Fr Bokkala Rayappa, the Rector, BIRDY, Fr Sudhkar Bellamkonda, Director BSK, other members of Provincial House and Birdy along with the lay collaborators and sisters were present on dais at the inaugural session on 4th January 2020 at the Vechhi Hall, in the Don Bosco Shrine premises. The Vice Provincial, Fr Sanatiagu sdb shared the idea of youth becoming the voice of India in his message. The fest was conducted at Vecchi Hall on the first day and in the lawns of BIRDY on the second day wherein 430 youth from Salesian houses of Andhra and Telangana and also from the Salesian Sisters were heard through walking in and actively participated in it.
Six resource persons have animated the entire youth fest with their qualitative sessions for two days. They were appreciated for their presentations on various topics viz., Fr Sleeva Medi sdb: Duties by healthy democracy; Fr Simharayulu Gandala sdb: My country is my family; Fr Nireekshan Dasari sdb: Making equality a reality for all; Fr Wilson Thalla: Ethical living; Fr Santiagu Thomas: My volunteering is my investment; Fr Sarath Parri: Vocation and career decisions and all the group discussions were led by Fr Upendra Jangala sdb and Fr Mariadas Mattukoyya. Fr Thathireddy Vijaya Bhaskar, the Provincial was present with the youth in the evening and addressed them that they are backbones of the society and thus take responsibility for their lives.
The Two day youth fest consisted of sessions, group discussions, spontaneous and creative interventions by the youth in the form of songs, dances, poems, personal sharing and cultural evening. Similarly, a Holy Eucharist was celebrated on the second day at 7.00 am by Fr Provincial at Don Bosco Provincial House Hall. Fr Provincial spoke on the theme youth as light of the world. He told that a light in the dark has an attracting effect and gives direction. There is a reason for the saying: “Where there is light, there is life”. Thus, youth serve as a light for others that gives others safety, direction and life.At the end of two days, more than 6 events were held and it was awesome to see the 430 youngsters filled with liveliness, joy, and enthusiasm along with entertainment and fun, sharing, making new friends and socialization. The feedback was collected from the youth with regard to the Youth Fest 2020 and the response was pretty positive and good.
The presidential address was delivered by Fr Santiagu Thomas, Vice Provincial in which he stressed that youth are a nucleus for the nation and he encouraged them to take lead by leading others in the right path as true citizens. The vote of thanks was proposed by Bro. Thumma Pradeep on behalf of Fr Raja Donthi and he thanked everyone who made the Youth Fest 2020 successful. He thanked the BIRDY community that catered for hospitality, food and accommodation along with Provincial House. He too extended his gratitude to the animators cum resource persons. The Youth Fest 2020 concluded with a national anthem, tea and refreshments.
