By Jacob Peenikaparambil
Indore, July 16, 2020: The Universal Solidarity Movement, an NGO promoting enlightened citizenship and interreligious harmony, on July 16 organized a webinar to mark its 28th foundation day.
The movement used to celebrate the day with an annual general body meeting and a get-together of partners and friends. However, it went online in view of the coronavirus pandemic, explained its founder director Father Varghese Alenegaden.
Annie Pawar, USM vice-president, welcomed the participants to the three-hour online meeting. As many as 235 people from various states in India participated in the three-hour meeting. They included students, teachers, principals and friends and collaborators of USM. The webinar heard 19 people sharing their experience of the movement.
“As a result of being part of USM I found a better version of myself and I have learnt how to become an actual human being. Honesty has become the most important policy of my life,” said Satyam Choukse from Vidisha in Madhya Pradesh, central India.
Mayawati Paikrao, an 11th grader in Hingloli town of the western Indian Maharashtra state, said her association with USM has taught her how to control anger. “My self-confidence is enhanced and I have become more sensitive to the poor and the needy,” added the teenager, who had attended a leadership training conducted by the movement.
Salesian Father Isaac from Gujarat said the movement offers quality of the training programs and teaches people to work hard in a team for the betterment of society. He also commended the movement’s flexibility, warm and uncompromising hospitality, daily evaluation and honoring every person.
Divine Word Bishop Chacko Thottumarickal of Indore, USM patron, appreciated the movement’s unique service for nation building by training young people with character.
Sister Valsa Joseph said living in the USM community at Indore helped her gain clarity of vision for her life. The movement treats staff members as partners in the mission and has an integrated approach to life, the Franciscan Missionaries of Mary nun shared.
Father Alengaden, in his message, explained that the movement has worked to create a counter culture by helping people to think and ask the question “Why not.”
The counter culture is reflected in the functioning of USM from a rented buildings for the past 27 years, not applying for funds from the donor agencies or the government.