By Matters India Reporter
Old Goa, May 25, 2019: Deril D’Sa of Udupi diocese has been elected president of Young Catholic Students/Young Student Movement (YCS/YSM) in India.
The election took place on May 23 during the 18th National Council of YCS/YSM at St. Joseph Vaz Renewal Centre, Old Goa.
The new national team will lead the movement for the next three years.
The elected members are K. Mac Melvin of Hyderabad – general secretary, Caleb D’Mello of Goa – treasurer, Anjalina Ekka of Delhi – liturgy and cultural secretary, C Tony of Madurai and Ashita Jimmy of Indore – editors of the Search magazine.
Other members of the national team are: Cyphan Mascarenhas from Goa, Arpit Katara from Madhya Pradesh, Abolon Taro from Assam, A. Anusha from Tamil Nadu, L. Joseph Reddy from Telangana and Oscar Martin from Uttar Pradesh.
Bishop Ignatius Dsouza of Bareilly, member Bishop of Conference of Catholic Bishops of India Youth Commission, urged the new office bearers to become vibrant and active in the movement to make it fruitful.
Father Chethan Machado, national chaplain of YCS/ YSM India, administered the oath to the newly elected members in the presence of around 150 delegates, animators, chaplains and guests from across the country.
The election was preceded by a study session which began on May 17.
Fr. Juze Remedios, vicar general of the Archdiocese of Goa and Daman, presided over the inaugural ceremony and Captain Viriato Fernandez graced the occasion as the chief guest.
Addressing the gathering Captain Fernandez urged the students to lead from the front.
Father Machado welcomed the gathering and firmly said, “We need leaders who contribute” and urged the students to evaluate their lives, to understand the needs of society and people, to judge them with sensitivity and to act with precision and effectiveness.
The five days of the Council deliberated on the theme, “Young students for youthful life: self-identity; safe school and new society.” It paved a way for the thrust for the next three years.
The National Council began on May 23 with Mass presided by Father Prakash Salagi, former National Chaplain of YCS/YSM India. The council meet was chaired by Jesvita Quadras, the outgoing national president.
The gathering included the National Executive Committee of YCS/YSM India (2016-2019), regional leaders from eight regions that together constitute the National Council, together with few invitees associated with the movement.