Dnctimes august

AUGUST 2015AUGUST 201502
all of Pope Francis, 'Wake up the World' ring
bells of alertness for the youth to get out of
Ctheir slumber to think, execute, engineer,
expand and uphold dreams of tomorrow ingeniously.
The theme of this issue, Youth: Gala Time and…calls
the youth to reflect upon their lifestyle and inculcate
the missing links.We hear from the time of conception,
'Aaj Ke Baache, Kaal ke Bavishya' but are we
harnessing the right values and
principles they need to
integrate giving them the
responsibility? In response to
this Ms. Renuka Zachariah
pens down few tips to mentors
and teachers in channelizing
t h e e n o r m o u s p o w e r
youngsters have to be formed
asbeingsforothers.
Wake up dear youngsters, wake up to the
reality. In this consumerist and spiced up reality you
will be weathered like seasons to face everything, the
only tool that will assist you is patience and the moral
values that bind you. In my talk to students I noticed
that youngsters are too restless, lacking love and
companionship.They can't express their feelings to the
other, which is a major concern leading them to take
law in hand and misuse life. As they are seeking for
love, they fall prey to the unconscious desire, whims,
unvoiced fantasies of life and anxiety. Therefore I call
the youngsters to 'Wake Up' to the realities around
them. Learn the art to love; just don't learn for learning
but to practice it in words and action. Sr. Lovely Mary
takes it further in her article envisioning the words of
Pope Francis, “Women have much to tell us in today's
society,” she highlights how feministic approach can
help Youngsters build trust and find companions to
share.
The August edition 'Youth: Gala Time and has
a blend of Experts sharing their views, concerns and
expectations on 'Youth life'. Brain Pereira emphasis the
challenges in the youth apostolate and the scope in
reaching worldwide. Konrad Noronha gives a Doctors
eye view of cases raised by youth and Tinu Francis
explicit a case on addiction to show youngsters how to
be present to the happenings in their life and to accept
one's condition to be free. 'Spirituality of the Young'
presents a conflict of religious youth engulfed by fast
life and the Principle and
foundation of Ignatian life
style. In view of youth
employment struggles, Dr.
Vijayananta with facts and
experience elaborates on the
aspect of Migrating youth and
the ethnic turmoil in
settlements. The DNC artists
have expressed their views
too.
Dear passionate readers, I draw your attention
to Pope Francis' words to the youth, 'Go and mess,
engage the world,' yes our youth need to move out of
their ghetto mentality and mess the world with their
creative and lively ideas. They need to learn to weep
with others and share the inner conflicts, to grow into
matured beings. 'Wake up, dear youth, Wake up to the
reality', listen to your heart, follow the conscience –
the Voice of God and Thy will, will be done. Hope
you have a youthful reading, enjoy it.
EditorialEditorial
John Fernandes, SJ

oday's adolescents are facing more
competitions and challenges than that of
Tthe previous generations. They are
independent, autonomous and opinionated. They
have information available at their finger tips and
possess great potential which needs to be
channelized in the right direction. Thus a teacher
has a noble duty of pruning and preparing them to
liveabetterhumanlife.
Serving as Biology teacher in a Jesuit
institution for over a decade has given me an
opportunity to journey with the adolescents. Every
teacher working in a Jesuit Institution shoulders a
great responsibility to be committed to carry
forward the rich Jesuit tradition of educating the
mind while not neglecting the heart; imparting
academic skills while not forgetting the dimension
of service especially towards the poor. This calls for
a greater commitment and spirit of generosity. In
this short write up, I would like to enumerate a few
points to equip ourselves to do this important
serviceabetter.
· Teaching from one's very life- “Practice what
you preach”.
Teachers have strong influence on students. An
action speaks louder than words. Thus the
students learn more from what a teacher does
than what he or she teaches. Hence a teacher
must live a life witness to the values and ideals
that he/she wants the students to imbibe and
internalise.
· Encouraging and enabling the students –
CreativeExcellence:
Apart from forming the students academically a
teacher must be able to facilitate active learning
through effective participation and motivate
them to think critically and independently. A
positive response from the teacher encourages
studentstoexpress, interactandclarifydoubts
without feeling embarrassed. Students learn better
in a classroom that provides them ample freedom
and is free from fear. Class room learning must be
studentcentredandnotteachercentred.
· Know thy students –insight intoyourstudents:
The Ignatian Pedagogy Paradigm (IPP) places a
great importance in knowing the context of
students. Knowing their background, family
situation, capabilities, passion and dreams and
understanding their feelings, fears, problems,
health issues, learning difficulties will help the
teacher to deal with the students in a better way. It
establishes a right bond with his/her students.
Therefore, a teacher must be equipped with
sufficient knowledge of adolescence psychology,
social and peer pressure to help them make a
smoothtransitionfromchildhoodtoadulthood.
· Firmnesswith kindness – a fineblend:
A student might forget what you say but never
forgets how you made him/her feel. Harsh words,
derogatory remarks and insults used to discipline a
student can hamper his/her growth. Hence a firm
teacher with an ocean of kindness can form a
studentbetter.
· Holistic development- forming men for
tomorrow:
Student life must not be confined to acquiring
knowledge and preparation for examinations.
Teachers must identify the untapped potential in
each student and provide ample opportunities for
development of body, mind and soul. Hence the
purpose of education must be extended to moral,
physical, emotional, social, psychological and
spiritualdimensionsof students.
· Magis-doing morefortheGreaterGloryof God
Teachers must inspire their students to always strive
for excellence and to move from self centred
Empowering, Enabling and Ennobling the Adolescent
A Challenge to Every Mentor and Teacher
Empowering, Enabling and Ennobling the Adolescent
A Challenge to Every Mentor and Teacher
Ms. Renuka Zachariah
03
Article
Cont’d on pg.9

ndia has the distinction of not only being a
populous country but it is also comparatively a
Iyounger nation. It is widely recognised that the
youth constitute a valuable human capital resource
base for India. Their 'value' can be understood as
embedded in their skill matrix, knowledge levels,
experiences, health and other characteristics.
According to the 2001
Census, 26 per cent of
India's youth (72
million) were illiterate.
This indicates that over
one quarter of the
young population did
n o t p o s s e s s t h e
educational capability
to plan their future or
gainfully contribute to
the country's future.
Among the 74 per cent literates, only 22 per cent youth
had completed the secondary level of education or 10
years of schooling. In other words, only one in five
youths in India were able to complete 10 years of
schooling and one in 10 were able to complete 12 years
of schooling; only seven per cent of literate youth
completed graduate education in India. In short, only
15 million out of a total 273 million youth completed
graduate education in India. These alarming statistics
point to the critical shortage of educational
qualifications among Indian youth. It is an indicator of
underlyinginequalityinourcountry.
The ILO report on Global Employment Trends
for Youth states: “Today's youth represent a group with
serious vulnerabilities in the world of work. In recent
years with a down turn in the global employment
growth and increasing unemployment and
underemployment, disillusionment has hit young
people hardest.As a result today's youth are faced with
a growing deficit of decent work opportunities and high
levels of economicandsocialuncertainty.”(ILO,2005)
Youth and migration
The youth today seem to be in a perennial search
of alivelihoodoptionwhichwillensuresomeeconomic
stability in life. Migration seems to be the hallmark of
the survival strategies employed by the youth. As per
the statistics one in three Indian youths is an internal
migrant and lives in a place that is not his/her last place
of residence.
The 2001 Census
enumerated 315 million
internal migrants based on
the criterion of place of
last residence. In absolute
numbers, 92 million youth
w e r e m i g r a n t s ,
representing 34 per cent of
the youth population. The
migration of youth is not
just internal. Youth also migrate to other nations. In
2010, there were 27 million international migrants aged
15 to 24 in the world, accounting for 12.4 per cent of the
214 million international migrants worldwide, and
when migrants between the ages of 25 and 34 are added,
young migrants represent over 30 per cent of the total
numberof internationalmigrants.
Thechallengesyouth faceinmigration
Internal or international migration can have a
positive impact on young people by opening up new
opportunities, a path to participate in higher education,
a better and decent job, a chance to gain professional
experience or to pursue personal development. This
may happen by building self-confidence and allowing
them to acquire skills and competencies beneficial to
themselves and their countries and communities of
origin as well as destination. Through international
migration, young people are able to build and expand
their professional networks, which in many cases is
important in facilitating employment and access to
opportunities.
Dr Vaijayanta Anand
Youth and MigrationYouth and Migration
04
Cont’d on next pg
Article

However, for many young people, especially young
women, the migration process confronts them with
many challenges and enhances their vulnerabilities.
These vulnerabilities include discrimination based on
gender, migration status, ethnicity or religion; lack of
education and any formal skills pushes them into the
informal sector. They get absorbed into a vortex of
circumstances which includes poor working
conditions, lack of access to basic social services such
as health, risks associated with sexual and
reproductive health and lack of social protection or
loss of social protection entirely. Therefore, the
migration experience can end up representing either an
opportunity or a risk for young people and can either
leadtotheirdevelopmentor theveryopposite.
There are various components and motivations
for youth migration; decent employment being the
main one. This has become all the more evident in the
wake of the global economic crisis. Currently, some
73.8 million young people globally are unemployed.
Consequently, millions of young women and men are
pushed towards the decision to migrate, with the
purpose of seeking alternatives to improve their job
prospects.
EducationalStatus ofYouth
However, the scope to improve their prospects
of getting a job and subsequently their life situation
depends a lot on the education qualification and skill
training of the youth. It is significant to look at some
statistical data related to this. In 2005, a task force on
skill formation in the organised sector was constituted.
The study report prepared by them indicated that
It can be clearly seen that mere migration is not
enough to change the life circumstances. Access to
opportunities to improve educational qualification and
acquire skills is very important. Youth equipped with
education and skills have better chances in the job
market and may escape the vulnerability embedded in
theinformalsector.
The government agencies and the NGO's can
play a very important role in this aspect. Youth
migration is inevitable in this globalised world but the
vulnerability can be minimised by provision of good
educationalcourses andskilltrainingopportunities.
of the
15 to 29 years age-group that comprised 27 per cent of
the total population ( as on 1st January, 2005) only 11.5
per cent had received (or were receiving) any training,
whether formal or informal.. A significantly lower
proportion of women have received any kind of
training, formal or informal. The largest share of youth
with formal skills was in Kerala (15.5 per cent),
followed by Maharashtra (8.3 per cent), Tamil Nadu
(7.6 per cent), Himachal Pradesh (5.60 per cent) and
Gujarat (4.7 per cent). Among those undergoing
training, Maharashtra had the highest share. The lowest
incidence of formal training was in Bihar. The southern
and western states, a continuous zone, had a relatively
high share of population with formal skills. Together
these six states, accounted for 63 per cent of all formally
trained people. Overall, only 2.5 per cent of the labour
force had any formal training. Of the unemployed, the
NSSO Survey on Employment and Unemployment
(1999-2000) found that only 16.4 percent of the male
unemployed workers and 18.8 per cent of female
unemployed workers possessed specific marketable
skills. In urban areas alone, while the proportion of
unemployed men remained the same, there was a much
larger proportion of women unemployed with no skills,
viz.32 percent.
Conclusion
05 AUGUST 2015AUGUST 2015
Article
Youth and MigrationYouth and Migration

he children now love luxury. They have bad
manners, contempt for authority; they show
Tdisrespect for elders and love chatter in place
ofexercise.”- Socrates.
Youth is a word, which is used, abused,
misused and overused in the lanes of history. The
constant complaint about youth is that they are crazy
and always think out of the box. The pesky paradox of
our time, which is usually attributed to youth, is really
nauseating. The litany of complaints reads that they
spend more, but have less; buy more, but enjoy less.
They have more degrees but less sense. They drink too
much, smoke too much, spend
too recklessly, laugh too little,
drive too fast, get too angry, stay
up too late, get up too tired, read
too little, watch TV too much,
and pray too seldom. They have
multiplied their incomes, but
have reduced their values. They
have learned to rush, but never
learnedtolivetheirlifeas agift.
This problem is not new to this era; it has been a
problem right through history. The tautological truth is
that the present day elders were youth once. In their
heydays, they too had distanced themselves from their
elders. In reality, nothing has really changed - we are
simplyrevolvinginaviciouscircle.
But today, in the post-postmodern society, not
only the present youth but also the former youth (the
elders too) have imbibed a refracted cum deviant
behaviour. Their cognitive and meaning making
structures don't seem to be pro-human. Their systems
are affected by certain viruses called: globalization,
consumerism, pragmatism and individualism. The
entire credit to this cultural and ethical catastrophe
goes to the aftermath of postmodernism. With the
invasion of post-modern thinking into the minds and
hearts of the youth, the very understanding of life itself
has taken a deviation. The definition of postmodernism
is to have no definition. They follow only two rules.
Rule 1: Follow no rules. Rule 2: Follow the first rule.
Particular interests interest more than those of the
commonone.
The Characteristics of Postmodernism are
pretty good: (i) There is no absolute truth, (ii) Truth and
error are synonymous (iii) Traditional authority is false
and corrupt (iv) Collective ownership would most
fairly administrate goods and services (v) Morality is
personal and ethics is relative (vi) Globalization vs
Nationalism(thelattercauseswars).
A consequence of this
post-postmodern thought
hurricane is nothing but
freelance thinking. This
freelance thinking and living is
cancerous to any civilized
society because without role
models and leaders there will be
a loss of synergy and resources
and time will be wasted in
unhealthy activities. With the intrusion of media into
our private life and culture, the spectrum of our thinking
patterns has got deviated from the alignment of our
ancestralwisdom.
Of course, the blame game never brings a
positive change in history, because when time changes,
the thinking patterns also change. One is bound to think
or act according to what s/he is exposed to. What we
need today is a collective, synergical and revolutionary
teamwork.
“The ignited mind of the youth is the most
powerful resource on the earth, above the earth and
under the earth. I am convinced that youth power, if
properly directed and controlled, could bring about
transformational changes in humanity for its progress,
meet its challenges and bring peace and prosperity.” -
Dr.Abdul Kalam.
A Post Mortem Report on the
Post-postmodern Youth
A Post Mortem Report on the
Post-postmodern Youth
Article
Clement Jesudoss, SJ

outh Ministry is very important in the life of
the Church. In our fast changing,
Ytechnological and socio-political context,
our work with the youth can and will bear lasting fruit.
“In the digital age,Youth Ministry is bringing the Good
News to young people by the art of living well…,”
opines Bp Frank J. This can be well brought out by the
spiritual witness and service to the youth by a woman.
As Pope Francis rightly puts it, “Women have a special
role in opening doors to the Lord, in following him and
communicating His face because the eyes of faith
alwaysneedthesimplebutprofound lookof love”.
The road of a
female animator in youth
ministry is paved with
o p p o r t u n i t i e s ,
responsibilities, and
challenges. In order to be
with the youth, first and
foremost we need to
understand that both
young men and women are created by God in His
image and likeness with an inherent value. They have
their own qualities, characteristics, interests, and gifts
that make up their personalities. Hence, a woman in
ministry is not for the cause of women but it should be
for the cause of Christ. It is not about being a feminist;
it's about sharing hope. God calls people who are
willing to dream His dreams and who are available for
His ministry.Only trustinHimis required.
Down through the centuries the presence of
women in the Church hasn't been emphasized much.
However, they continue to be the major arm of the
Church, be it in education, hospitals, orphanages etc.,
because they walk in the confidence of God. He is the
one who continues to shape and mould them to be more
like Him. Therefore, women are and should be the
catalysts for supporting, challenging and transforming
theyouth.
Some of the unique qualities of a woman are
being compassionate, caring, loving and
understanding. Youth need a friend who understands
them; this friend should be able to guide them in their
wanderings. Women with their natural qualities can
truly be friends for our youth. To make the youth more
active and build their confidence, a female could plan
out different programmes like conducting prayer
services with the youth to strengthen their faith, taking
them for an outing,
o r g a n i z i n g c a r e e r
guidance programmes and
sports days, motivating
them to help the poor by
sharing their resources,
organizing choir groups in
the church, preaching the
word of God in the parish
etc.
Today's youth are full of possibilities, desires,
fears, but there is lack of motivation. They are also
demanding, criticizing, and pleading in their own way.
They, who are infinitely alone, are in need, terrified and
yet persistently trusting.They are alert – they wait to see
if someone can offer them something different or
whether someone will just close yet another door in
their face. It is here in the midst of these challenges that
a woman can be a good instrument between Christ and
theyouth.
Therefore, youth ministry provides a unique
opportunity for women to bring out their Feminine
Genius to lead the Church into unchartered territories
by bringing a feminine perspective to spirituality and
faith. Thus, a woman can pave new ways for a vibrant
Churchof theYouthfor Christ.
07
Feminine Touch to the Youth MinistryFeminine Touch to the Youth Ministry
Sr. Lovely Kharnaior
Article

he youth are the pulse of a nation. They
represent the hope and the future of a nation.
TEvery nation dreams of bringing about a
change in the country. This change can happen, only
when the youth are determined to plunge into building
up a new home, where poverty and other inhuman
activities can never trespass. The recent survey shows
that I
We have youth who come from diverse
cultural backgrounds. Our nation can theoretically say
that we have got powerful weapons with us to battle
modern viruses. But what
is the reality today? The
lives of our young and
energetic Indians have
become a paradoxical
question mark now. Are
they able to respect the
dignity of the other? Are
they capable of bringing
about a change in the
nation?
Currently, the youth are engrossed and
immersed in a highly techno-savvy culture, which has
swept their time and energy completely. These days,
technology has become the yardstick and the frame of
reference for them. Every minute, sees a new
development in the field of technology. We are
supposed to be the masters of technology, but in reality
it is technology that has mastery over us. Today,
communication has become not only wireless but also
humanless. We are beginning to live in a materialistic
world where the attitude of 'I, me, and myself'
dominates. We are ignorant of the real situation in the
world.Whereisthehumanculturetoday?
Gone are those days, when the youth slogged
for the welfare of the nation. Earlier, the youth shed
theirbloodtobringfreedomtoour countrybutnow
ndia has more than 65% of its population below
the age of 35.
they are enslaved by technology. Of course, technology
is a must for the youth of today and no doubt that it has
been the cause of remarkable progress in our country.
But it has replaced our hearts with its metallic parts,
making us all think and behave like machines. Our
streets are a living paradox – the poor, the dying and the
destitute occupy one side and the rich, sophisticated
ones with the latest gizmos occupy the other side. Can
we be at peace when one part of our body is wounded
andbleeding?
MotherTeresa, the saint of the gutters once said,
“The hands that help are
holier than the lips that
pray.” It is great to be great
but it is greater to be human.
We, the youth need to strive
to become better human
beings every day. We have to
involve ourselves in the
socio-cultural realities of
our day and work together
towards the betterment of
tomorrow's humanity. In 2013, while celebrating the
World Youth Day Pope Francis said, “We need saints
who have a commitment for helping the poor and to
make the needed social change.” We can bring down
poverty in our country; we can improve the standard of
living for all. Humanity is not what we feel for but what
we make of it. If one is determined to change one's
nation into a home of love and peace, then one should
wake up and march ahead to face the challenges that lie
ahead.
Let us be reminded of what Nelson Mandela
had said, “This generation of youth stands at the border
line between the past of oppression and repression and
the future of prosperity, peace and harmony.” Are we
readytotakethatleapintothefuturethatawaitsus?
08
Youth living in our Consumerist CultureYouth living in our Consumerist Culture
Oscar Daniel SJ
Article

e was there before my office. His eyes were
downcast, and his legs were shaking
Hnervously. He was shabbily dressed and
looking at him I thought that it's not
going to be a usual, casual chat. He
greeted me avoiding any eye
contact. I invited him into my office
and asked him to take a seat. I
observed the tension and the
perspiration on his face and so I
allowed him to settle down but he
blurted out, “I can't spend a day
without smoking. Yesterday, my
father caught me stealing money from his pocket but I
couldn't tell him the truth. I am ashamed to face my
father now. I have tried to quit smoking but can't. I am a
disgrace to my family.” I was having this conversation
withAjmel Mohamed, a fifteen year old bright student
preparing for his public exams. It had all started during
a combined study session in his friend's house where
he had to prove his 'machoness'. It had seemed fun and
he thought that it eased his tensions but now he couldn't
live without it. He who once was a bright student - one
who had made his family proud is now a disgrace to the
familybecauseofhishabitof smoking.
What is addiction? It is a condition wherein a
person consumes any substance or engages in an
activity that seems pleasurable but that same substance
or activity eventually leads to a compulsive
attachment, interfering with one's ordinary life, work
and relationship. Gambling, watching pornography,
shopping, alcohol, cocaine, nicotine, and other
recreational drugs can easily become addictions.
Getting addicted is a gradual process. Slowly and
steadily it affects the individual's routine and makes
the person feel restless without it. A well
organizedstudy has proved that those who try to quit an
addiction often undergo a severe relapse. As far as my
knowledge goes, smoking is more dangerous than
alcohol because people get more easily addicted to
tobacco than alcohol. The content of nicotine acts on
one's neurotransmitters and affects our mood.
Therefore, when one is tensed one is more likely to get
addicted to smoking to control one's
moodswings.
Though it is difficult to quit
smoking it is not impossible to
overcome it. Here are some tips to
beat addiction.1) Accept that you are
addicted. It will help you to discover
the harm you have done to yourself as
well as others. 2) Share your affects
with someone you trust because it will boost your will
power to quit. 3) Prepare a practical preventive plan to
overcome it. Keep yourself occupied with work or
hobbies. 4) Be accountable – once in a week check the
progress you have made, encourage, reward, or punish
yourself. Be firm and strict with yourself. 5) Spend time
in meditation, yoga or in prayer. These are a few steps
whichcanhelponetoovercomeaddiction.
09
Addiction, its Effects and the Key to Overcome itAddiction, its Effects and the Key to Overcome it
Tinu F Pondicherry, SJ
thoughts to other centred and also instil in them a
deepdesiretodomoreforthegood ofthesociety.
Adolescents are like hidden treasures and we
mentors have the responsibility to unearth their
preciousness. In today's world, when teachers are
bogged down by the pressure of completing the
syllabus, and producing better exam results, I wish
there is something more while not neglecting the
former. I wish classrooms were not restricted to mere
learning the subjects, but are temples of learning life. I
wish many faces which are lost and go unnoticed in the
crowded classrooms are lit up with ennobling
encouragement. I wish every adolescent bestowed to
our care is transformed into the mind and heart of
Ignatius– amanorwomanforothers....
Cont’d from pg.3
Empowering, Enabling...Empowering, Enabling...
Article

Thereis a greatpotentialin youth.
It is like nuclear power. Nuclear power
can do great good when used in the right
way. It can produce electric power and
dispel the darkness but in wrong hands, it
can be used to take life, often thousands of lives.
Similary, things can happen in the life of youth. It all
deppends how the youth power is being used. When a
large part of the youth power is used for good, youth
life is in the light. If a large part is used in unproductive
activity then youth life is in shadow and it makes the
futureof theyouthgloomy.
Lazarus Basumatary, SJ
Based on my experience, youth
are of two kinds. The first ones are those
who keep on moving towards their goals
realizing their own potentials. They have
clear goals to focus on. Even though they
face failure, they never get defeated. They are always
receptive and establish relationships of authenticity
with others. Their compassionate and committed life
makes the world a better place. On the other hand,
there are some with a carefree attitude, who live
luxurious life, and waste away their lives. It is not
entirely their fault because they lack role models at this
particular stage of life. There was a time when drugs
were the greatest challenge before the youth. Today's
youth are intoxicated with new electronic gadgets.
Whenonecomesoutofit,halfthebattleiswon.
Manoj Lakra, SJ
Youth are the symbols of energy
and fullness of life. They are creative and
always ready to take up any challenge.
The only thing they need is freedom with
responsibility. Then they can indeed do
wonders in the world!!! Society is the platform where
theycanexpress themselves.Wecansay thatyouthare
like newly planted small plants. Whichever direction
you want them to grow, they will grow but they need
someone to guide, nurture and direct them. The real
responsibility for the growth of youth falls on their
families, elders of the society and religious leaders. Let
us join our hands together, not to overshadow, but to
accompany our youth to use their freedom with
responsibility.
Roby Alphonso, SJ
F o r m e r P r i m e M i n i s t e r
Manmohan Singh said “I have no doubt,
that if we are able to channelize the
immense energy of our youth in a positive
direction, we can successfully address
even the most complex challenges facing our country
today.” I feel that the dreams of this generation are
based on self-interest and personal motivations, as is
seen in the quest for jobs abroad, hero worship and the
obsession with many things. As a youngster, my first
motivation should be that of dreaming the dream that
lifts up my nation than my own personal motivation.
Whenthismotivationgetsdeeplyrootedineveryyoung
heart, our nation indeed will march ahead into a great
future.
G. Sravan Kumar, SJ
I see the youth as potential pillars
– they provide a strong base to take our
country forward in the light of truth,
humble service and honest living. Today,
the youth are faced with challenges of
being competitive and committed; they have
capabilities of doing creative work and becoming true
to oneself. Frustration, the inability of dreaming big and
high, the inability to withstand reality and fight for their
own rights, the inability of becoming role models for
othersaresomeof theshadows ofyouth.
Nirmal Kullu, SJ
As a Youngster, how do you See the
Lights and Shadows of Youth?
As a Youngster, how do you See the
Lights and Shadows of Youth?
Opinion Poll

ithin seven years, the average age of an
individual in India will be 29 years,
Wwhich makes us the youngest country in
the world. India has got dynamism, creativity and
young minds who can achieve great things. We are
moving ahead with a lot of zeal and enthusiasm. This
young India does have lots of problems attached to it.
We have manpower, but there is a scarcity of
opportunities to exercise the capacity that we possess.
Whatis awayoutof thismess?
We have an unemployment
problem. We are not able to
provide equal opportunities.
Inequality and discrimination are
prevalent and we also face the
problem of rampant corruption.
We don't have role models. The
politicians, who are supposed to be
role models, are not models of virtue any more. The
film actors we idolize portray an imaginary world. We
have a few individuals who fight for justice but they
are not noticed very often. We need inspiring leaders
who areworthy tobeimitated.
We are a mimetic society. Therefore, we have
ended up imitating our colonizers. We want to become
rich like them. We go out of our country in search of
wealth. In the process, we end up losing our originality.
With the aim of westernizing our youth and society we
have adopted westernized education, life style and
culture.
Today, we have a BJP government which has
slogans such as, “MAKE IN INDIA.” But the same
government goes out and sells our country to the
multinational companies. Our local indigenous
industry and markets are dying out. We are privatizing
everything. What is left if the government privatizes
everything?
What about the poor children and the youth in
our country who don't have an opportunity to grow?We
need to develop our indigenous industries. We have to
boost our agricultural economy. We are tempted to use
ready-made goods available in our markets that make
us forsakeourvariousindigenousindustries.
The youth face a lot of dichotomies in their life.
Youth have a zealous desire to achieve something in life
but that same desire can make them individualistic and
selfish. Having the support of a peer group is good in
order to achieve goals, but the
same peer group members can
foster bad habits in us. Youth
make friends easily but the
same group of friends can
make them distant from their
parents.
We need to create new
opportunities. We need to
grow – we cannot be satisfied with the status quo. We
need to be honest. Above all we need models of
inspiration who should be persons of high moral
standards. We have to grow morally first, and then
success willcomeautomatically.
Youth and theirProblemsYouth and theirProblems
Jenith Xavier D, SJ
11
For a lot More
Article
Video Talk on
Photos
Church and Youth by Fr Joyce
Ignatius Feast-2015
www.dnctimes.com

he young lad, Stephen liked to go for
exhibitions and parties. He always wanted to
Tmake new friends. Stephen was the life of all
parties and he was able to make a difference by his
mere presence. He liked to meet different people, greet
them with his smile, have fun and cheer up and play
with children. Rakesh, a middle aged gentleman had
observed Stephen on several social occasions and saw
the joy that radiated from his face. He wanted to meet
Stephen and get to know the secret of his happiness.
Many people came to meet Stephen and so he could not
meettheyoung man.
At a party, as Stephen
was enjoying himself, he saw
a beautiful girl. There was a
small thought at the corner of
his mind; he imagined that
she was his soul mate. But a
thought suddenly came to
him, “Nothing is permanent,
because you are not
permanent. One should not possess what is
temporary.” Before he could say hello to her, she gave
him a beautiful smile. He was astounded because she
was the first one to give him such a smile. Soon they
began to introduce themselves to each other and
exchange pleasantries. Gradually their conversation
wentdeepandlong.
She said to him, “What is the secret of your
happiness?” He said, “Because I am going to die.” She
told him “Don't be so silly!” Stephen told her, “Shirley
I have cancer. My time has come to leave this world”.
She added, “No Stephen! Let it not be done to you. I am
here for you. I will save you my dear. He laughed but
her words pierced his heart. She asked him the reason
for his laughter. He said, “Our friendship is not even a
day old.” She said smilingly, “Friendship is not time
bound my dear”. Before they could talk further,
Shirley's father beckoned her and she left abruptly.
Rakesh, who was at the party thought that it was
the right moment to meet Stephen. So he came near and
said, “O young man! You are so cheerful and energetic.
Could you tell me the secret of your happiness? Stephen
said “The shorter you live the happier you are.” “What
do you mean?” Rakesh asked and Stephen immediately
replied, “I am suffering from cancer and am going to die
soon. I have only a few days to live.” Rakesh asked him
not to be ridiculous and said “I am sure life has much to
offer you.” Stephen replied, “Yes Uncle, life has taught
me many lessons and I cherish my life. However, the
time has come for me to leave.” Stephen and Rakesh
continued their conversation and
they shared their experiences,
ideasetc.
A few days later, death
visited Stephen. He sensed that
something was going to happen to
him. His mind went blank but he
was soon clam. He thanked God
for the graces he had received. He
embraceddeathhappily.
After a week, Shirley met Rakesh at an
exhibition. He asked her about Stephen. She told him
about Stephen's death. Rakesh felt very sad. He recalled
the beautiful moments spent with Stephen. Nothing is
permanent in this world, everything is changing.Today,
wearehereandtomorrowsomeotherswillbehere.
The Time Has Come For MeThe Time Has Come For Me
Sagar Babu, SJ
Short Story

eing bad to good people is devilish, being
good to good people is natural but
Baccommodating both is a quality of true
leadership. A leader is someone who encourages
people to work for the betterment of the society at
large. Only through self-determination and dedication
can the youth eventually achieve leadership in their
respective communities. They need broader
involvement and horizon. A leader should help to
promote what a country has
and leave an impact on
one's society. In this present
era, it is really painful and
sad to see true leaders being
victimized and harassed. It
is a sad fact that those
holding positions are
insincere, dishonest and
don't even possess a sense
of commitment. In the
present scenario there are no platforms for the poor
people to be leaders. There are many who are pushed
out and thrown out just because they have followed
their conscience. The best way to become an effective
leader is to struggle through difficulties so as to
achieveone's goal.
There are basically five qualities that a leader
should possess:-
1) The tenacity to pursue one's passion:-Be
passionate about the work you do. Great people
mobilize others with their authentic energy. As young
Church leaders we need to have an authentic energy
which will help us to lead people for the greater good
ofsociety.
2) The ability to listen and observe:-Today's
leader needs to be a champion in listening and
observing. He should understand the strengths,
weaknesses of his people and motivate them. Today,
many of us fail to listen to the suffering around us
Youngsters need to be heard; they need someone to
show themtheway.
3) The ability to empathize: - Youngsters often
think that nobody understands them. There is no greater
strength than the expression of empathy which is an
opportunity to exhibit understanding. A moment of
kindness allowsconfidencetobebuilt.
4) A sense of one's personal identity: - Your role
should not define you.
There should be a
willingness to sacrifice
time and energy for
others without anyone
noticing it. A leader must
possess the qualities of
servanthood and the
ability to make others
f e e l c o m f o r t a b l e .
Everyone needs to be
known, greeted and cared for. Let the leader be the first
one to over-throw the hierarchical system of
governance and set an example before youngsters and
spread the message that all the roles in society are
equallyimportant.
5) Self-awareness: - Self-awareness is a crucial
element in one's leadership journey. We can test our
level of self-awareness with those whom we love and
like. We should have the ability to laugh at our mistakes
andtheguts totrynewthings.
To me leadership is a quality that allows the
person to lead a group of people without being affected
by criticism. Leaders are the ones who use their skills to
make a difference in this world. Often the creativity
exhibited by youngsters is mistaken to be rebellion.
But young leaders are creative and they can
courageously take bold steps. Leadership and learning
are indispensable to each other and every opportunity
presents one with many new life lessons. Let's learn
fromtheteachingsoflife.
13
Ashish Kujur, SJ
Youth Leadership: Live To LearnYouth Leadership: Live To Learn
Article

have a cousin who works in the automobile
industry. He often gets to ride the latest models of
Iluxurious foreign cars. He often tells me that the
biggest dream of his life is acquire one such costly car.
He believes that this would make him really happy! I
see the deliverymen of Flipkart and other online
shopping services at the
door of DNC, quite often.
Our talks often revolve
around online shopping,
latest gadgets, offers and
discounts on such gadgets.
We are living in a world of
consumerism. We are
tending towards becoming
compulsive shopaholics.
Thorstein Veblen referred to
such a society as a society
plagued by “conspicuous
consumption”. Young people today are becoming
more and more susceptible to this culture. They are
going through certain existential tensions as to what
their true identity is, amidst this whirlwind of
consumptionwhichpromisestruehappiness.
How can Jesuit spirituality help us respond to
such a culture? The core of Ignatius' spirituality is
transformation of human attitudes towards God,
human beings and nature; it helps us to become
discerning persons. Discernment is making deliberate
choices with freedom of heart. This helps one to lead a
life that is expected of a committed responsible human
person today.
The Principle and Foundation of the Spiritual
Exercises of Ignatius tells us, “man is created to praise,
reverence, and serve God our Lord, and by this means
to save his soul. Other things on the face of the earth are
created for human beings so that they may help
him/her in reaching the end for which he/she is created.
Thus, one should use them as much as they can help
onetoreachone's endandweoughttoridourselvesof
them so far as they hinder us from reaching our end (Sp.
Ex 23). This forms the preface as well as the synthesis
oftheIgnatianSpiritualExercises.
The Principle and Foundation helps us to realize
that we are created beings. We are limited and our days
are counted here. We are not here forever. But today's
media propagates the belief
of eternity.You are here and
to be happy here, you need
to accumulate as much as
possible. In order to live
happily you need to
consume more. 'Have more'
is themantraof theday.
Today's culture
makes us believe that our
identity comes from what
we have, what we do and
what other people say about us. Ignatian spirituality
teaches that the fundamental goal of our lives is to
praise reverence and serve God. Praise means to have
the right understanding of oneself and accepting
oneself as a child of God. Our true identity is that we are
the 'beloved' of God. Reverence means to admire God's
creation. Genesis tells us that God appoints us as
caretakers of this nature. We are responsible for its
protection. Serving God means serving one's fellow
humanbeings
All other things on earth are there as means to
reach God. Material prosperity is not bad in itself. But it
should lead one to God. All goods should become
means to reach God. But what happens in today's
context? Many young people are simply sucked into to
the vicious circle of materialism which makes one think
that having is more important than being. Ignatian
spirituality challenges this particular philosophical
view. It calls us for a deeper understanding of our own
selves through prayer, meditation, contemplation, the
daily Examen and discernment. It is an antidote to the
presentexistentialcrisisandmeaninglessness.
Spirituality for the YoungSpirituality for the Young
Bala Kiran, SJ
14
Ignatian Spirituality

1. I feel very nervous when I am in the
examination hall. I forget whatever I have
studied. I work hard but I am not able to get
good marks in the exam. I feel very much
humiliated to face my parents when the results
areout. (X, Calicut)
Anticipatory anxiety occurs before stressful
situations. In your case it is exams. Learn some de-
stressing techniques like breathing exercises, which
willhelpyou relaxbeforeexams,andyou willbefine.
2. My brother always irritates me. He will
make some sort of reason to fight with me. I am
finding it very difficult even to talk to him in a
lovingmanner(Y,Ernakulam)
Fighting among siblings happens for various
reasons. It should not be harmful to familial unity. If
his fighting is affecting you, you need to tell him that
he hurts you, or let your parents intervene; to maintain
thefamilyatmosphereof love.
3. HowcanI quit smoking? (A, Calicut)
Quitting an addiction requires a positive
attitude. With the right mindset you can stop. You
might have some withdrawal symptoms, but once you
become aware of what they are, and face them; they
will pass. If your addiction is bad, substituting the
cigarette with something like chewing gum initially,
and later stopping that too would help wean you away
fromthehabit.
4. Last yearthere was a girl in my class whom I
loved and still love.When I went and proposed to
her she said 'No' and that we were just friends,
but later I saw her with other boy so I got jealous
and stopped taking to her thinking she will come
back to me. It has been a year now and I can't
forget her. It is affecting my studies and has
made me aggressive too. What must I do?
(B,Goa)
Falling in love has been a painful experience
for you. Knowing that she has moved on, seems to have
affected you vis a vis, lack of concentration in studies,
aggressive behavior, envy and jealousy. All these are
reactions to your inability to be the only one for her.
Since there is nothing that you can do to get her back, as
she has said 'no, ' what you could do is learn how to curb
your aggression with help from a good counselor. It
would be a starting point for you to get back to studies,
andmoveoninlife.
5. My best friend is very beautiful and all the
boys of the class are after her. Nowadays even my
boyfriend seems to like her and inquires about
her when she is absent. I'm getting jealous about
this and feeling very insecure about this. What
must I do? (C, Goa)
The best thing to do is to check with your
boyfriend about the extent of his interest and intentions
about your best friend. You can check whether he is
committed to you or not, which would help with your
insecurity and jealousy. It will also help you decide
whether to continue or not continue your friendship
withboth.
6. I had a best friend from school; he never
spoke to any girls in school but was very close to
me. Everyone in school began spreading rumors
that we were in relationship. We never cared
about it until one day a friend of mine came and
asked me if I was relationship with him, in angerI
said yes. He went and told him and from that day
on he stopped talking to me. I tried to talk to him
but he does not listen. What must I do?
(D, Haryana)
It appears that your relationship with your best
friend is strained and you want to repair it. Keep trying
to talk to him, keep yourself open to him, and try to
explain why you said that you were in a relationship
with him. You will have to give him time to get over his
embarrassment or anger and then broach the subject
again.Itis alwaysbettertoexplaininperson.
The Expert Speaks
Answering the Doubts of Youth
The Expert Speaks
Answering the Doubts of Youth
Fr. Konrad Noronha S.J

th
n 19 June this year I received a phone call
from an unknown number. During the
Oconversation I realized it was Vipul (name
Changed), a prisoner from the Central Jail in Nadiad,
Gujarat. As part of my weekend ministry I used to
spend two hours, every Sunday in the prison. He was
incarcerated for committing murder. He said, “Sir, I
have come out of Prison
on bail and you are the
first one I wanted to
phone.” The next day, I
received another phone
call from Mr. Sultan
(name Changed). He too,
was also accused of being
a murderer. He told me
that he was happy to meet
his family and children. In the eyes of the law and
society they are murderers or dangerous people. But
Prison Ministry India, has taught me to accept them as
repented or reformed individuals who want to live a
betterlifeandbeacceptedinsociety.
In the beginning, I was doubtful of the usefulness
of the ministry. The police officials and the prisoners
had their own doubts; they were quite suspicious too. I
got the permission to enter the prison in the name of
teaching English. The officials tried to discourage me
by questioning the need of it. They wanted them and
their children to be taught, even with payments. They
could hardly understand that I was not there to sell my
knowledge and skills but to share Love and the
message of respecting life. Even the prisoners had a lot
of questions. I knew that no answer could satisfy them
except telling them about my motivation, “I was naked
and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you visited
me, I was in prison and you visited me.” (Mt: 25: 36). I
told them that I am not alone and there is a group of
people interested in them, ready to support and accept
them. We love them no matter who they are, no matter
16
Prison Ministry
Making the Invisible God Visible
Prison Ministry
Making the Invisible God Visible
Dominic Savio
what they have done, no matter what religion they
belong to.We believe that there is hope and a possibility
ofthembecomingbetter.
This has changed their attitude. They started
sharing their sorrows and struggles. Now I am more
than an English teacher, a friend and a companion, not
only to certain individuals, but to their whole families.
When any new comer
comes to the prison they
would introduce them to
me and we discussed how
senseless and un-reflected
mistakes have led them
there - how a few minutes
of reflection before the act
could have prevented
them from committing the
crime. At times, they broke down as they thought of
their families, children and their lost status in the
society. I gave them an assurance that they will still be
th
loved. I think the phone call that I received on 19 and
th
20 of June this year was the effect of this promise. Mr.
Vipul is an unskilled daily labourer, who is now ready to
give his Higher Secondary Exam with the
determinationtodo somethingbeautifulwithhis life.
Prison Ministry is a special call from our Master. It
is an opportunity to love the hated, to lift the
downtrodden, to be the voice of the voiceless and above
all to be the source of life for the lifeless. I do believe,
this prison ministry, is a wonderful way to make the
invisible God visible to those who are made to feel that
evenGod hasabandonedthem!
Experience

1. Can you sharewith us yourvocationstory?
My vocation story does not have a burning bush or
a light from heaven flashing around me or a cannon
ball shattering my knee. It has a simple story line – God
planted the seed of my vocation, my
parents and well wishers watered it
and a “YES” from me led to the
sprouting of the seed. The story didn't
end with the sprouting of the seed. The
narrative still continues as I am
constantly challenged to return to the
firstgenerosity,tothatfirst“YES.”
2. Can you recall and share an
unforgettable event or
experience that has affected
and shaped yourlifedeeply?
Fourteen years ago, I was standing by my Mom's
bedside, when the doctors broke the news that she had
cancer. The manner in which she accepted the news
has affected me deeply and shaped my life. Her first
reaction after hearing that tragic news was “a gentle
and a silent prayer.” She breathed her last a few months
ago. But her story of courage, endurance and surrender
reminds me of one of the famous quotes of Viktor
Frankl: “Everything can be taken from a man but one
thing: the last of the human freedoms – to choose one's
attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose
one's own way….. the way in which a man accepts his
fate and all the suffering it entails, the way in which he
takes up his cross, gives him ample opportunity – even
under the most difficult circumstances – to add a
deeper meaning to his life.” (Ref: “Man's Search for
Meaning”)
3. What was your vision as Young man joining
religiouslifeand what isittoday?
My vision as a young man joining religious life and
now remains the same: To find happiness and
fulfillmentthroughlovingservice.
4. Who is the saint you admire the most and
why?
Among the galaxy of saints, those who have gone
through a “conversion experience” in life are the ones I
admire the most. Their stories fill me
(us) with hope that God is always
gracious to us and allows us to make a
U-turn in life so that even a sinner is
given an opportunity to become a
saint!
Among the living saints, I admire
Fr. Maxim Rasquinha SJ (a Jesuit of
Karnataka Province) the most. The
“Mission Manifesto of Jesus” (Lk 4:
16-20) comes alive to me when I see
his lifeandmission.
5. What is your opinion about the church
today?
So far, you were very considerate towards me. Why
thistrickyquestionsuddenly…hahaha!
First of all, I feel happy that our church is blessed
with a wonderful Pope who is leading us by example.
His life challenges us to become “shepherds with the
smell of sheep” or “travelling companions of people –
especiallytheyouth.”
In my opinion, the church should read the signs of
the times; be collaborative and inclusive in its approach
and bring in little more of the “Easter dimension” in its
worship andcelebrations.
6. Can you share with us some of the challenges
and opportunities you foresee, in the Jesuit
Youth MinistryinSouthAsia?
We are having a “Youth Quake” in South Asia.
Out of 1.2 Billion youth in the world, almost 32.6 crore
are in South Asia (that is 27% of world youth
population). This massive youth population offers us
17
Interview with Fr Brian PerieraInterview with Fr Brian Periera
Interview

plenty of challenges and opportunities to serve. Sadly,
80% of the South Asian youth are in the unorganized
sector. These youth are deprived of basic opportunities
in life and are exploited by politicians, drug merchants,
underworld dons, the sex industry, religious fanatics,
feudal and upper caste groups and others. The biggest
challenge for the JesuitYouth Ministry in SouthAsia is
toaccompanytheunorganizedyouth.
The second biggest challenge is to foster social
consciousness among the organized youth so that they
are motivated to reach out to their counterparts in the
unorganized sector. The third biggest challenge is to
convince the Jesuits to make youth ministry as one of
the frontiers ministries in South Asia and invest more
humanandmaterialresourcesfor youthwork.
7. What are your dreams and visions for the
youth as theJYMSAco-ordinator?
I wish that the youth of South Asia become
mentally sharp, emotionally strong, morally upright,
culturally rooted, socially committed and spiritually
mature to counter all divisive and oppressive forces in
our region and work collaboratively to build a just and
aninclusivesociety.
I also wish that the youth of our region, emulate the
example of the teen sensation and noble laureate,
MalalaYousufzaiandbecomeprophetsof hope!
8. What is your message for the readers of DNC
TIMES?
Let us strike a healthy balance between – Concepts
and Contacts! May our study of concepts and theories
of philosophy and theology, motivate us to go to the
market places and reach out to the unreached. May our
contact with people – especially the poor and the
unorganized youth – deepen our thirst for authentic
knowledge so that we truly become persons of caliber
andpersons drivenbythatmagicword, MAGIS!
Allthebest….
Fr Brian Pereira, a Jesuit priest, is the
animator of Ignitors’ a youth group. He is
alsotheStateAdvisorof AICUFKarnataka.
Interview with Fr Brian PerieraInterview with Fr Brian Periera
Interview
GeorgeVictor,SJ

e are living in a global village where
everything is made available at our
Wfingertips. Though globalization is one
of the fastest growing phenomena of our society it has
also become the root cause of most of the problems in
society. Rapid and advanced changes in science and
technology, has not only changed our life style but also
our outlook towards life, values, customs and
traditions and this is widening the generation gap more
thanever.
A generation gap has always been there in
every society but today it has reached the zenith.
Generation gap means a difference in attitude, or lack
of understanding between members of the younger and
the older generations. With rapid changes in science
and technology, the exposure, which today's teenager
is getting, is enormous. Value systems have gradually
degenerated and the youth is adopting a new culture.
As a consequence, we have confused parents who are
unable to reconcile with the views of their children.
There is a great divide between the perception of both,
the young people and the adults. One finds that both
are unable to communicate with each other, quite
often. One of the reasons could be that neither knows
what the other is interested in though they may be
living under the same roof. This gap results in direct
confrontation between the young and the old.
Generation gap is not only reflected in the choice of
dresses butalsoinmusic,opinionsandotherbehaviour
patterns. The younger generation which has acquired a
different set of values rebels against the older
generation who wish to impose their own value system
on them. In my opinion, the conflict arises when adults
stick to their old ways and refuse to accept any change
whiletheworld rapidlymovesahead.
he hot question
then is, “How can we
bridge this wide chasm
between the young and
the old?” and “Who will
tie the bell to the cat?”
Today, living and
behaving in one's own
way and according to
one's own terms is the
norm.
Nobody likes to be spoon fed or the 'Big
Brother' attitude of the elders. In my opinion, bridging
the generation gap is not a major problem in families
and society, if we learn to sit together and see things
from each other's perspective. Each one whether young
or old should have a respectful place in the family and
adopt ways and means to spend time together sans the
technology and the social media. The young should
learn to accept the views of the elders and the elders in
turn should learn to adapt themselves to the modern
ways of the world and keep themselves updated with
the most modern technologies, so that they do not feel
leftout.
Today, technology has already replaced God.
Most families have given up practices such as the
family prayer and eating and talking together as one
family and are busy chatting or doodling with their
expensive gadgets. Let Technology be replaced by God
andallotherthingswillfallintoplace.
Generation GapGeneration Gap
Jesu Raju Chikkala
Article

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