By Purushottam Nayak
Sundargarh, Nov 25, 2021: A young Catholic woman from Odisha, who has won a national level speech competition, wants India’s youth to overcome fear and serve the people of the country.
“Youth should overcome their fear and speak up for the right causes if they want to serve their country,” Shilpa Ekka said after coming first among 11,000 young contestants from around India at “Young India Ke Bol 2021”.
The speech competition was conducted by the National Youth Congress to find spokespersons at district and state levels. The program was also aimed at providing young people an opportunity to connect with the ideology of Indian National Congress.
Around 280, including three from Odisha, were selected for the final held November 21-23 in New Delhi.
Shilpa’s topic was about woman’s safety in modern age. She is already the youth congress spokesperson of Sundargarh district, appointed in March.
Shilpa credited Congress leader Rahul Gandhi with getting young people involved in politics.
“Don’t be afraid of any situation. Take one step at a time to do what you want to do in life,” Shilpa said after winning the competition.
Regretting that India has become a failed democracy, she urged young people to fight for justice, standing for the right cause. “Make your voice loud because you are the strength of the country and you can make a difference in society,” she asserted.
Shilpa’s mother Brijit Ekka expressed joy at her daughter winning the competition.”I am proud of my daughter,” she told Matters India.
The mother thanked Jesus, school principals, teachers, priests, nuns and well-wishers who helped her daughter “educationally, spiritually and in different level to come to this stage. I am confident she will be a good leader for the people.”
She did her primary school at St. Joseph’s Girls’ High School, Hamirpur. She completed her graduation in 2016 from Ispat College, Rourkella, and Master of Business Administration (MBA) from Rins College in the same city.
“She is an experienced youth. She started attending speech competition from high school days. We are proud of her. She is a great asset for the Odisha Church,” said Father Birendra Ekka, secretary of the Odisha Church’s Youth commission.
Father Valerian Dungdung, youth director of Rourkella diocese, said Shilpa has taken the voice of people in remote areas to the national capital.
“It is inspiring and encouraging to know that a tribal youth has come forward to serve the people politically,” Father Dungdung told Matters India.
Rajiv Burh, a youth from Rourkela said Shilpa has inspired and motivated him.