(ANS – New Delhi) – Youth Meet is one of the most awaited events every year for all the young refugees in NewDelhi. This year over a thousand young people from 12 youth clubs came together on 10th May at Don Bosco School Alaknanada, New Delhi, for the programme organized by BOSCO Delhi in association with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). The theme of Youth Meet was “Youth - Agent of Transformation”.

The young people competed in various competitions on the theme with tableaux, traditional singing, and Cinematic Dance. It was a day for the young people to showcase their potential and talent.

The day started with a lamp-lighting ceremony by Mr. Dominik Bartsch, Chief of Mission, UNHCR, Rev. Fr. Jose Mathew, Director, BOSCO and Fr. Babu Varghese, Principal, Don Bosco School, Alaknanda. The refugee staff of BOSCO welcomed the participants with a song. In the inaugural speech Fr. Jose Mathew encouraged the youth who had come for the programme, acknowledging their potential and talent and Don Bosco’s love for the young.

The competitions began with creative tableaux on stage by the twelve Youth Clubs depicting how young people can transform society and nation. It was followed by a singing competition on the theme that kept the audience mesmerized.

The Clubs then showcased the traditional dances of their country. It seemed that the whole world was there on one stage as many clubs brought a fusion of many cultures. Mr. Dominik Bartsch, Chief of Mission, UNHCR, congratulated all the youth for their beautiful performances and the messages each performance gave of love, hope and strength.

At the afternoon session the young people showcased various talents like martial arts, singing, and music on violin, guitar, and drum in the Youth Got talent competition. A guest performance was staged by Najim Khan, a very popular Afghan actor cum model who was present for the festival. He set the mood for the last and most popular competition on Cinematic Dance. The talent, energy and beautiful choreography of the dancers brought the stage on fire. As the three judges compiled the results, which they admitted was a tough task as all performances were great, Waiss- an Afghan Refugee Youth sang a beautiful song.

At the end, Mr. Hans Schodder, Deputy Chief of Mission, UNHCR,  greeted the youth and congratulated the participants and Bosco for the great event. He and Fr Michael Peedikayil, Provincial, Delhi Province, gave the prizes to the winners. Taichon, a club of Myanmar Refugees, won many prizes and finished as runner up, but the overall Winner of the day was Champion, a youth club of Afghans from West Delhi.

Published 21/05/2014