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YCS/YSM India National Student Leaders Training Programme (Hindi) was organized at Aicuf Ashram, Bhopal from 15 to 18th October 2015. 52 students and 21 animators from five Hindi speaking regions participated in this training programme.

15th October 2015 : 

Most of the delegates arrived in the morning. After the registration and breakfast students and animators gathered in the auditorium for the inaugural session. After the prayer service, conducted by Bhopal Diocese, all the animators were invited to light the lamp. Fr. Virendra SJ, National Director of AICUF Ashram was the chief guest and delivered the key note address. He spoke on positive self image, self appreciation, awareness and self control. He also explained the dynamics of the programme. He spoke on the importance of leadership training in the present context where there is intolerance. He cited a few examples of Pope Francis and St. Teresa of Avila. He requested students to benefit from all the deliberations.

After lunch at 2:00 pm Bhopal Diocese conducted some ice breakers and action songs. Then orientation and program dynamics was initiated to them by Fr. Chetan. Fr. Alexander gave instructions and also guided the delegates on YCS/YSM methodology. After this students were divided into six groups where they got a chance to interact with students from different regions. 

At 4 o’clock the six groups went for exposure visit to different places to have an awareness of the reality. They went to nearby places. Some visited markets, some went to residential colonies, school campus, public parks, malls etc. Every group was accompanied by at least two animators.

By 6:30pm all groups came back to the venue to prepare the reports and chart of what they saw. At 7:00 pm Fr. Mathew VC, Vicar General of Bhopal Archdiocese celebrated the inaugural mass. During homily, he spoke about authenticity of Christian life. He challenged the students to live a Christian life.

 After dinner, everyone shared their vivid experiences. Fr. Alexander animated this session. Questions were raised and the students cleared out everyone’s doubt. Students had a very enriching experience. One of the groups even made a small contribution to a poor person on the street.  In conclusion Fr. Alex said, we need to keep our eyes open all the time to respond to the needs of the people. Day ended with a birthday celebration followed by night prayer.

16th October 2015

The day began with Morning Prayer conducted by the students and animators. Fr. Chetan celebrated the Holy Eucharist. He spoke about the ‘CALL’ He said, “We are chosen from many and God has given us this opportunity to become a good Christian leader”

After breakfast Fr. Carmel Alexander took a session on ‘respecting life and our body is a temple of God’. Through various activities and motivational videos he explained this topic. He said, “Our body is a gift of God. But when we think that we are the boss of our body we commit sins. We forget the presence of God and the gifts of the Holy Spirit”.  He concluded saying, ‘after all disappointments, sadness and problems our hope should be in Jesus’

Morning inter-religious prayer was conducted. The day was full of activities. The session on one of the key points of our methodology SEE given by Fr. Alexander Jesudasan was very informative. He made us realize how to be aware of the things around us and the importance of awareness as it enables us to get the idea of the reality around us. Student delegates were able to pin point what they saw during the exposure visit and enlisted the things in the reality. It is not only to just see with our bare eyes but to become aware of the things we come across in our day today life. 

The second session of the day was animated by Fr. Biju T., Secretary to MP Bishops Conference. He spoke about why youth have not reached any big level in our country. He said, we organize a number of programmes, seminars, leaders training, but our youth are still at a very basic level. He challenged the students present to change this system and do well in every field and reach greater heights in their lives. He spoke about leaders who are capable of working with team. He explained five C’s. Character, Commitment, Conviction, Courtesy and Courage. 

The afternoon session on different types of leadership, friendship and education of love was informative. This session was taken by Fr. Bala from Indore. He explained about different types of leadership that exists among us and how to come up and express ourselves on various issues. He clarified a lot of issues regarding healthy friendship. He explained the difference between love and friendship.

After tea break in the evening Fr. Alex through inspirational videos explained to the students on how to bring transformation in their lives. Session concluded with a prayer.

After dinner students presented a meaningful cultural programme. Sisters from the nearby Apostolic Carmel convent were present. Sr. Malar AC addressed the students and congratulated them. After this there was group wise evaluation of the day and animator’s meeting. Students watched an inspirational movie before they went to bed.

17th October 2015

Third day of NSLTP began with the Morning Prayer followed by the Holy Eucharist celebrated by Fr. Christudhari SJ, Parish Priest of Campion. After breakfast Fr. Maria Stephen explained adolescent psychology. He said that learning is a lifelong process. No one is perfect. He answered a lot of questions on adolescent problems and explained about various ego’s and problems related to this.

Mr. Savio spoke about Religious Plurality.  Through a systematic presentation he explained the beauty of living together in religious harmony. He also made the students understand about how at times because of misunderstanding this harmony is lost.

In the afternoon Fr. Chetan spoke about the origin, history and progress of YCS/YSM in India. He explained in details various aspects of YCS spirituality, methodology, Motto, Objectives etc. He asked the students to transform their lives by applying five rules. 

Before Lunch REXCO members for the Madhya Pradesh Region was formed in the presence of Fr. Chetan and Fr. Alexander Jesudasan. 

In the evening, a movie DHARM based on religiosity and spirituality was shown. This helped the students to understand the difference between religiosity and spirituality. Students must balance religiosity and spirituality together in their lives. Mr. Amit guided the students during this movie show.

After dinner, there was cultural programme. Students got an opportunity to show their talents. After this, there was group sharing and evaluation. Day concluded with another birthday celebration and night prayer.

18th October 2015

The day started with Morning Prayer and Rosary. The Holy Mass was offered by His Grace Most Rev. Dr. Leo Cornelio SVD, archbishop of Bhopal.  After breakfast His grace interacted with the students for more than one hour which was an inspirational moments.   Then Fr. Alexander Jesudasan explained the spirituality of YCS/YSM and explained us where we can find God and that we can see god in the reality. Fr. Alexander explained about the YCS cell and its structure and taught us how to conduct cell meeting. Cell meeting should take place every week or once in 15 days. Then all the animators addressed the students with their experience about witness to leadership. Then we saw a movie named ‘do kalakar’, which showed us the difference between ambition and mission. We were asked to pen down our ambition in life and how to change this ambition into mission. Then the evaluation took place on the film ‘do kalakar’. 

We also took part in a cell meeting and grasped the clear knowledge about using the methodology See, Judge and Act. In the evening most of the students took active part in the cultural programme. With the evaluation and a short prayer the day ended with a positive note.

The four days programme came to an end with YCS/YSM Anthem and clap. The participants left the venue with fond memories and a heavy heart.