Mangaluru: The ‘Peace Rally’ held as part of Indian Catholic Youth Movement (ICYM)’s 10th National Youth Convention on Sunday, January 22 bagged outstanding response as scores of students came out on streets to express their solidarity for the cause of peace.
The rally that was flagged off by Arch Bishop of Bengaluru Dr Bernard Moras at Rosario Cathedral in the city passed through the city streets and culminated at St Aloysius Grounds where the Arch Bishop called upon the students to hold value of Jesus and walk on his footsteps.
Speaking about the ‘Constitutional Rights and Duties-the responsibility of the youth’, Supreme Court Judge Justice Kurian Joseph said that the youth must first believe that they have the ability to bring the change they desire.
“Believe that you can and you can bring about the change. If you do not believe that you can, you will not be able to do it,” he said calling upon the students to be a part of nation building process.
He said that the caste, creed and religion based discrimination needs to be rooted out from a vibrant society like India where culture, language and way of living changes from one place to another.
“Our country has given birth to myriad religions and we must be proud of it,” he said adding that every citizen has the right to be treated as equal.
As far as religion is concerned, Justice Kurian said that it is a constitutional right of every citizen. “Every citizen has the right to follow and propagate his religion,” he said.
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 began on January 18 at St Joseph’s Engineerung College, Vamanjoor and the theme for the convention was ‘Touched by Jesus, Walking His Way’
