Christian youths rally for friendship in Kolkata

Hundreds of Christian youth on Friday, Jan. 8, rallied for 'justice' and 'friendship' in Kolkata.

The "Youth for Justice" rally was flagged off and led by a word of prayer by Rev. Ashok Biswas, CNI Bishop of Calcutta, from St. Thomas' School, Kiderpore, at 2.30 pm.

Shouting slogans such as "dede dede Shanti dede" and "Come, Let's be friends", the youth from India, Pakistan, Bhutan and Sri Lanka, walked a distance of more than 5kms to gather at the St. Paul's Cathedral grounds.

The youth were seen holding placards that urged for "friendship with God, Nature and Humanity."

They condemned "child labour, manual scavenging, hate-inspired violence" and called for "just and inclusive communities".

According to the organiser Rev. Vineeth Koshy, Commission on Youth, National council of Churches in India (NCCI), "The rally was pertinent to spread the message of peace and friendship."

"Amidst violence, greed and fear, there is a strong need to extend the hand of friendship and restore calm and mutual understanding in the society," he said. "Therefore, the Christian youth have joined hands and rallied for peace."

The rally was part of the National Ecumenical Youth Assembly (NEYA) meet organised by the National Council of Churches in India.

NCCI's Commission on Youth identifies friendship as a new and inclusive paradigm of relation to ecumenism. It believes that friendly relation can bind and unite humanity together.

NEYA, says Rev. Vineeth, was organised to strengthen and promote ecumenical youth participation and leadership.

Some 800 youth from diverse Christian traditions, South Asian Council of Churches, Ecumenical Organisations and SAARC countries had gathered for the meet.