KNIT INDIA: EMPOWERING STUDENT LEADERS TOWARDS ENLIGHTENED LEADERSHIP

Our country today is witnessing the wake of a revolution against corruption thanks to the efforts of eminent social activist Anna Hazare and other likeminded individuals. Many people call it India’s second freedom struggle. More than 60 years ago we had the revolution spearheaded by Mahatma Gandhi against British enslavement. However noble these initiatives, we stand disillusioned at the outcomes. The Mahatma’s struggle brought us freedom from the British, but did not break the vestiges of partition, caste discriminations, injustice and oppression of peoples within the nation. Anna Hazare’s struggle against corruption and his demand that the government passes the Jan Lokpal Bill may help in changing the laws of the land. However, no change in the laws of the land can ensure change in the mindsets and sinful laws cultivated in the hearts of both hardened criminals and sold-out common people alike. What we need is a spiritual and a moral revolution. Once our hearts are in place, and once we as individuals undergo a spiritual and moral conversion towards the collective progress and goodness of humanity and creation, we would not even require laws.

It is just this kind of a revolution that is slowly but steadily taking root among the young minds of the nation thanks to the unstinted efforts of the Universal Solidarity Movement of Value Education for Peace (USM) headed by Fr. Varghese Allengaden and his team, which for the last 18 years has strategically set into motion a resolve among its students and teachers across the nation to build a Civilization of Love.

Among the many initiatives to fructify this resolve, the USM holds what it calls an annual family gathering of its student-teacher members under an event called KNIT INDIA.

Since the last three years Fr. Varghese Allengaden has been inviting me to give orientation sessions for the students and teachers at this event. More than giving resources I end up even more resourceful and enriched. Each Knit India has been rejuvenating. This year, the USM organized its 43rd Knit India Event at Convent of Jesus and Mary School Chelsea in Shimla from the 10th to the 14th of April 2011.

It was a truly edifying experience to see more than 500 students and teachers from 26 schools representing 9 states of our country, from various religious, cultural and linguistic loyalties participating with such great enthusiasm, and WILL to embark on a journey of personal transformation, with the aim of creating a better India and a better world.

Knit India is a unique event in which students, teachers and principals from across the country who are members of the Universal Solidarity Movement by virtue of the practice of the Five Path Spirituality proposed by this movement, come together for a live-in during which participants share their testimonies of personal transformation owing to this practice.

What is the five path spirituality?
1. Pray daily for Peace according to one's religious tradition, to be an agent of peace and reconciliation;.
2. Skip a meal a week to express solidarity with the hungry and contribute the savings to the poor and the needy.
3. Do a good deed a day without any selfish motive to develop loving concern for the nation.
4. Honour parents, teachers and all human beings.
5. Respect the earth and save its resources

Knit India provides the participants with a platform to celebrate social, inter-religious and cultural harmony where everyone is oriented towards preserving and promoting the unique aspects of their diverse traditions.

The 43rd Knit India, was graced by the presence of various dignitaries who shared their insightful and inspirational talks in order to motivate both students and teachers to understand and adopt the essence of a value based framework for life.

The DGP of Himachal Pradesh Dr. D.S. Minhas who was the Chief Guest on the Inaugural Day exhorted the teachers to appropriate the role of the guru in order to ignite the minds of the students. He stated that education is not just a matter of teaching but more importantly a matter of reaching the hearts of the students. Besides many other pearls that were dished out, he stated that youth are not useless as often described to be, but are USED LESS and therefore need to be trusted and given a greater opportunity in shaping the destiny of the nation.

The second day witnessed the presence of Justice Kurian Joseph the Honorable Chief Justice of the Himachal Pradesh High Court. In his own scintillating style and with practical examples of events in society, Mr Kurian inspired and engaged the students in an interaction through which he helped them to understand the real meaning of being brothers and sisters to one another as Indians not just in word but in truth. He stated “What stops you from doing good is not what is in front of you, but what is within you.”

On the third day, his Excellency Rt. Rev. Ignatius Macarenhas the Bishop of the Diocese of Shimla-Chandigarh touched the hearts of all the participants by his interactive and informative session on the reality of corruption and the efforts of various social activists and leaders to fight against the same. He exhorted the participants to join the ranks of these great individuals in joining the struggle for a better future for our country.

Fr. Varghese Alengaden who is the National Coordinator of the Universal Solidarity Movement mesmerized the participants by his fiery speeches and interventions right through the programme at different moments. He expressed his trust in the youngsters and stated that Knit India together with the other initiatives of the USM aims at inviting the youngsters to a spiritual and moral revolution in which individuals are invited to undergo the conversion of personal transformation with the vision for creating a civilization of love and peace in the world.

The most edifying and inspiring moments during the event were witnessed when students shared their testimonies of personal change due to the practice of the five paths and the impact of this movement. Many shared that this movement oriented them to take personal responsibility for their lives and generated a sensitivity towards the less privileged of society. They understood the value of time, punctuality, discipline, sharing, adjusting with inconveniences, leadership, controlling anger, patience, and they owned the sense of cultivating a spirit of unity in the diversity of our nation. Ms. Srishti Bhardwaj, student of St. Mary’s Convent Allahabad shared, “USM preaches to us to fight for what is right no matter how many difficulties obstruct our path.” Arpit Panda, student of Little Flower School Bolangir Orissa shared how USM empowered him to find his voice and helped him discover his talent in writing letters to the editor of various news papers in his city. Dhruv Agarwal student of Bharatmata Convent School Ganjbasoda, inspired all his fellow participants by his heart rending testimony and his noble gesture of contributing his love offering of Rs.2000/- for the activities of the USM by sacrificing his personal desire to buy and keep a German Shepherd.

An essential and important part of the event is to guide the participants through a process of formulating vision statements, goals and policies for their personal practice and transformation. The participants did this with utmost seriousness and enthusiasm. On the final day, all participating students and teachers were given a certificate to remind them that the cause for which they participated was even more noble and precious than the acquisition of an academic degree certificate. The press club of Shimla offered daily coverage of the unfolding events and DD News broadcasted a nationwide telecast of this memorable event at the 17.30 slot on 13th April 2011.

I have grown as a better person because of my association and involvement with this movement over the last 4 years. The spirituality and vision of the movement is endearing to me because it so beautifully crystallizes and articulates what are already my own convictions for life, and it is very practical in its preaching and action for Personal Transformation and Commitment to Nation Building.

The dedication of the National Team of the USM is something all people of good will must witness firsthand. I have been witness to it for a third consecutive time and I can sincerely say that the quality of the programme thanks to the splendid team work of the members keeps getting better. The management, staff and students of Convent of Jesus and Mary School Chelsea - Shimla under the leadership of Srs. Rosely and Alma displayed what it truly means to set the right priorities in the noble task of education by their selfless commitment to carry the event through with cheerful and bubbling energy, and without counting the cost.

If you are an educator and are concerned about the so called 'rebellion and misguided passions of the young', think again. Youngsters are looking for role models, and are willing to participate in purposeful initiatives, provided they are guided by people who are sincere, committed and persons of integrity. KNIT INDIA is a tribute to this purposefulness and choice for selflessness, and integrity. The youngsters who participated were from stds VII to XII, but their insights into life and the capacity to make self-transforming resolutions with such visible conviction was truly edifying and uplifting. Their personal testimonies of transformation have rekindled my hopes in them and in the young in general. The entire event has challenged my own in-authenticities so that I am motivated to raise the bar of my own level of personal transformation and credibility.

If you are looking for a model of youth ministry that is wholesome and nourishing because of its execution which is guided by a lasting vision, USM has what makes for a meaningful, relevant and purposeful offer in the pluri-complex reality of India today.

My humble request that you visit their website www.universalsolidarity.org , and if you want to get in touch with them and invite them to your schools their e-mail is usmindore@yahoo.co.in Ph: 0731-2566018/ 4072057

Slowly but steadily, the USM through its programmes like the Knit India is ushering an era of enlightened leadership among the young students of our nation. Kudos to the USM family!

Fr. Isaac F. Arackaparambil, sdb

Knit-India National and Regional Conventions

42nd Knit India 2010

Stop Blaming, Start Transforming!

“Light a candle instead of cursing the darkness”. With this aim in view, every year the Universal Solidarity Movement organizes a four day National Live-in for youth in different parts of India from 28th December to 1st January entitled “Knit India”. This programme is focused on youth and is for youth. Youth anchor every session and manage all the logistics of the gathering, guided and directed meticulously by the competent USM team.

This year the 42nd Knit India took place at Somnath Prakalp of Baba Amte, Maharashtra. 273 students, teachers and principals criss-crossing the warp and woof of India participated in this great gathering of national integration and universal solidarity. For many, it was a deep spiritual experience, a demonstration of power, energy, hope, impact of young blood and vitality, a new way of life and a counter culture to today’s selfish world e.g. every group was welcomed at Chandrapur station 53 kilometers away from the actual venue i.e. Somnath Prakalp as a sign of altruism and ‘Athithi Devo Bhava’ (Guest is God). No bells were rung, yet all the youth came on time for every session. Each one washed his or her own plate etc., cleaned and moped the common hall, arranged the chairs etc., a lesson in dignity of labour and time spirituality! “A true leader is one who knows the way, shows the way and goes the way. Blaming the system will not work. We have to change it. Thank you USM for walking the talk”, said Mr. Sunil Isaac, a teacher from Bharat Mata School, Ganjbasoda, M.P.

The curtain raiser was an inter-religious Prayer for Peace, welcome speech by Neetu Joshi, the Convener and presentation of dynamics by the Director Kunnath Purohit. Fr. Varghese Alengaden, the National Coordinator in his inaugural address asked youth to knit with others. This is the USM family. Break barriers he said. He exhorted and challenged youth to give back to society and to India what they had received from her, inviting them to participate actively in the spiritual pilgrimage to experience God tangibly in others. The USM flag with seven stripes of the rainbow and different religious symbols superimposed on it was hoisted for the first time at the Knit India Meet. Badges were given to all the participants. Those who attended Knit India for three years and more were honoured with plaques.

The venue Somnath Prakalp comprising of 1250 acres-an extension of Baba Amte’s Anandwan was a deliberate choice to provide a rural exposure and taste of a humanitarian cause of a visionary leader. The documentary film on Baba Amte and the guided exposure tour of the place with explanations about the various departments and activities of the rehabilitated cured leprosy patients touched the hearts of the young leaving an indelible mark on their tender minds, challenging them to introspect and mend their ways. Baba Amte who died three years ago became their role model, creating a ripple effect in their minds and challenging them to do likewise. 

Knit India provides a platform to youth to experiment with new innovative ideas, gain from experiences and team work and gauge their own gains and pains, their learnings and unlearnings. The input sessions are meaningful and done with a purpose in a fun loving manner. Learning by doing is the technique used to help youth catch values for life. The idea is to guide and channelize the energy of youth in the right direction forming a strong synergy of change in society. The USM team works with passion towards this cause.

The barefooted Isaac Arackaparambil SDB’s meaningful sessions on “Becoming a Peak Performer”, “Purposeful Leadership” and group building was interspersed with lively action songs by Justus SDB, done with the help of multi media and games. This helped the youth to discover themselves, find their own work spaces and rest spaces, tap their dormant potential within, overcome obstacles, pick themselves up, keep the future in front, forge ahead, make breakthroughs and celebrate life. They were also helped to gauge time, do purposeful things and plan to leave a legacy behind.

Mudita Sodder RSCJ’s creative team building session on “Celebrating Forests for People 2011”, Fr David’s session on “Discovering God”, Prabha CJ’s “Open House Quiz”, Yashpal’s “Creative Activity” and Fr. Aji’s session on “Teenagers” kept the youth productively occupied, alive and active, inculcating team spirit and cordiality, helping and preparing the youth to formulate a vision for their life and draw up Action Plans for implementation back home. A new and novel session introduced this year was the ‘Chintan Baitak’ i.e. a reflective sitting together-a niche especially carved out for the shy and the quiet youth to speak up, share views, bond and develop rapport with others.

The sharing of Personal Transformation, by living the USM Five Paths, creatively presenting reports of core-group activities, action plans and the high quality cultural items put up every night on themes like honesty, honouring elders, environment etc. were educative and entertaining.  A well prepared obituary and tributes of love were paid to Prabin Paul-an active USM member and a student of Carmel School, Faridabad who passed away on 2nd December 2010, bringing tears to the eyes of many.

The grand finale of the 42nd Knit India was the New Year celebrations which began with a Prayer for World Peace and National Integration, followed by a candle light procession forming the map of India and the USM pledge taken by all. New Year greetings were then exchanged. Fun, frolic and fellowship followed, till youth exerted their energies to the fullest and danced till they dropped!

Let us stop blaming and start transforming. Yes, Knit India is one example of such a venture to bring about change in the country. USM follows it in the literal sense, in the words of Gandhi, “Be the change you want to see”. Knit India provides a gathering to meet, greet, learn, implement and bring about change in society.  Let us accelerate change, capitalize on and channelize youth power and energy and India will surely shine. USM is convinced of a bright future for India and the world through the youth it guides. USM is certainly doing its bit to transform society.

Dr. Mudita Sodder RSCJ