Udupi, 16 October 2015: The Diocese of Udupi will be organizing Karnataka State-level Regional Convention of Young Students Movement (YCS/YSM) in Udupi from 18 to 20 October 2015. The Convention is organized to mark the Golden Jubilee Celebrations of this Youth Movement in India. The three days’ Regional Convention is being held for the first time in the Diocese of Udupi in St Mary’s CBSE School at Kannarpady, Udupi. Around 500 delegates are expected to participate from 14 Dioceses in Karnataka for the first two days and on the last day around 1500 delegates (both boys and girls) will attend this mega event along with their respective animators.
The Inaugural programme will be held on 18 October at 05.00 p.m in St Mary’s CBSE School at Kannarpady, Udupi. Most. Rev. Dr Aloysius Paul D’Souza, Bishop of Mangaluru will grace the occasion. Most Rev. Dr Gerald Isaac Lobo, Bishop of Udupi will preside over the Inaugural function. Shri Shri Shri Lakshmivara Teertha Swamiji of Shiroor mutt will inaugurate the convention.
The delegates of the Regional Convention will be discussing on and deliberating upon various issues pertaining to Education Policy, Environment, Swacch Bharat campaign and also Communication, Social Mass Media and its impact on the youth of the society. There will be special talks from experts along with panel discussions during the Convention. In addition, an inter-religious dialogue and a cultural programme will be held during this Convention.
On 20 October 2015 at 09.15 a.m, a huge rally will be held which will commence from Udupi Church to St Mary’s CBSE School at Kannarpady to create awareness about the students` rights. The Police Superintendent of Udupi district Mr K. Annamalai will flag off the students’ rally. Most Rev. Dr Bernard Moras, Archbishop of Bangalore will preside over the concluding programme. Hon`ble Shri Vinaya Kumar Sorake, Urban Development Minister of Karnataka and Mr Pramod Madhwaraj, MLA of Udupi will be present as chief guests. A memorandum on ‘Student Education System’ will be submitted to the Education Minister through the chief guests.
The above information was given by Miss Hazel Martis of Moodubelle, President of YCS/YSM Karnataka Region during th press conference held at the Udupi Press Club on 14 October 2015. Sudharshan Nayak-President, YSM Udupi District, Priyanka S Noronha-President, YCS Udupi District, Fr Charles Menezes-International Director – YCS/YSM and Fr Edwin D’Souza-Director of YSM Udupi District were present in the press meet.
Rev. Fr. Mari Joseph, Secretary,KRCBC Youth Commission
Rev. Fr. Edwin D’Souza-Director-YSM Udupi Diocese
Miss Hezel Martis-President,YCS/YSM Karnataka Region
About YCS/YSM:
YCS has its’ roots in YCW which was founded by Cardinal Joseph Cardijn in 1920s in Belgium after the First World War. YCS is an offshoot of YCW movement dates back to 1929 in Belgium.
Cardinal Joseph Cardijn-Founder of the Movement
The roots of YCS/YSM were found in India in 1950. In 1961 first contact with YCS was with the visit of an YCS leader from Germany and an extension worker from Sri Lanka. In 1960-1962 YCS units were formed in Chennai and Bangalore through the help of Miss Betty King, an YCW extension worker from Australia. Some student groups were attempting to build up their objectives and Sr. Jeanne Devos ICM inspired the student groups of Madras and Bangalore to communicate with each other. Thus, the first study session was held at Madras on 16 January 1966. In 1968 some guidelines for the movement were outlined by students in Madras and presented to CBCI.
On 6 December 1969 YCS was officially recognized by the CBCI as National Apostolic Student Movement (Catholic Action Movement) with the appointment of Sr. Jeanne as the first National Chaplain. In 1970 YSM was recognized for the students of other faiths. On 14 August 1970, YCS/YSM was affiliated to IYCS. With the formation of CBCI Youth Commission YCS/YSM was recognized officially by CBCI in September 1981 as National Catholic Organization engaged in service of Young and Humanity.