By Jacob Peenikaparambil

Indore, Dec 28, 2019: About 100 students and teachers from different states of India are attending in the 52th meeting of the Knit India movement that opened on December 28 in Indore, the commercial capital of Madhya Pradesh state.

Knit India is a live-together of students, teachers and principals for four days. Most participants had earlier attended the Enlightened Leadership Training in the Indore-based Universal Solidarity Movement (USM).

Father Joby Anand, director of the Prerana Sadan, the Indore diocesan pastoral center where the program is being held, appealed the youth to stand up and fight non-violently to safeguard the core values of the Indian Constitution. He lauded the university students for the courage to protest against the discriminatory Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and to protect the core constitutional value of equality.

Father Joby Anand
“Mahatma Gandhi is returning to India,” said the priest who was the chief guest. He specifically pointed out that the student protest was by and large non-violent. In fact, some students offered rose flowers to police officials. Father Anand reminded the youth that dissent is the soul of democracy, but it should be expressed through non-violent ways.

During the four days the participants will share their experience of practicing the values they had imbibed through the leadership training and the transformation that has taken place in them. They also will listen to inspiring talks given by persons who make a difference in the society through their unique contribution while leading a life of honesty and integrity.

The participants will put up cultural programs based on harmony among religions, women empowerment, responsible use of media and other socially relevant themes. They also will be given different tasks to bring out their creativity and originality.

Through all these activities a bonding will take place among the students and teachers belonging to different religions, castes and regions.

St Paul Father Vincent Carmel, former director of USM, welcomed the chief guest and the participants. Neetu Joshi, the chief trainer of USM, explained the dynamics of Knit India and the role of the participants. Nitish Barole anchored the function.