REGIONAL BIBLE FESTIVAL
November 4-6, 2016
The Regional Bible Festival is one of the opportunities for the youth of the Region to interact and to learn the Bible slowly and steadily. The youths, boys and girls, of Allahabad, Agra, Gorakhpur, Jhansi, Lucknow and Varanasi arrived at Nav Sadhana with joy, enthusiasm and fervor to participate in the Regional Bible Festival on Nov. 4, 2016. They had gathered in the Milan Hall at 8.30 p.m. for the introduction and inaugural session. The Director, Dr.Fr.V.Sebastian welcomed them all with warm heart and introduced Fr.Jesuraj, who conducted the Recreation and Quiz Competition. At the same time the Directors of Biblical Apostolate from various dioceses gathered along with the staff of Nav Sadhana and sorted out the items of presentation for the competitions based on the lot. On the following day Rev.Fr. Antony Rodregues, Principal, St.Thomas’ Inter College, Shahganj offered the Eucharistic Celebration for the catholic youths at 6.30 a.m. and presided over the inaugural session of the competition as well as declared the Regional Bible Festival Competitions open. In his speech he explained the purpose of the Festival and pointed out how the Lord Jesus is the Way, Truth, Life and Light. The competitions were held on the following items based on the Gospel According to St.John: Speech, Group Song, Mime, Model Making and Crayon Colour drawing. There was also solo classical dance and folk dance in group. Finally quiz competition at 4.00 p.m. At the end the second and third position holders of the competitions were awarded with cash prize and certificate. The orderly, systematic and methodical presentation and execution were highly appreciated by all during the evaluation.
On Nov. 6, 2016 Good News Festival was celebrated; it began with Eucharistic celebration offered by Most Rev. Peter Parapullil, Bishop of Jhansi, who was also the Chief Guest of the evening cultural programme, which has been the culmination of the Regional Bible Festival. The colourful cultural evening had two Guests of Honour: Most Rev. Eugene Joseph, Bishop of Varanasi and Shri Sahdev, I.A.S., Additional Commissioner (First) Varanasi. The programme began sharp at 5.30 p.m. The items presented were the first position holders of Regional Bible Festival Competitions and Sangeet-Nritya Mahotsava Competitions, which consisted of Solo Dances, Group Dances, Group Songs, Mime and the special item Classical Dance performd by NSKK students titled “Gaugn Prashansha Maa Teri”, praising the acts of St.Mother Teresa of Calcutta, choreographed by Sir Robin A. and Madam Vineetha K.V. The students of Kala Kendra presented the special items: Prayer song at the time of lighting the lamp guided by Sr.Govind Verma. All the items were stupendous and scintillating to the heart and mind of the people. Many items won the accolade of the audience. In the morning hours the youths visited St.Mary’s Cathedral Bible Exhibition portraying the salvation history. They were quite happy with it.
In his speech the Chief Guest Most Rev.Peter Parapullil, who awarded the championship trophy to Sunbeam School, Lahartara in Sangeet-Nritya Mahotsava and Varanasi Diocese in Regional Bible Festival Competitions, emphasized that celebration is life, which is to be enjoyed and lived meaningfully; the music and dance unites the hearts of the people with God and people, promotes harmonious living and loving. He praised the work of the Principal, Director and staff of Nav Sadhana and Nav Sadhana Kala Kendra for the strenuous efforts, tireless and relentless work, systematic presentation of the items of the cultural programme. Most Rev. Eugene Joseph, Bishop of Varanasi as Guest of honor awarded the prizes for the winners of Bible Festival and posed a few challenges to the staff and students to integrate the Christian themes in the dances. Shri Sahdev, I.A.S, Apar Aayukt, who awarded the first prize winners of Sangeet-Nritya Mahotsava competitions, congratulated the winners. He explained the existence of Nav Sadhana and exhorted the people to benefit from this institution for the integral development of the students through the dance and music. It is the premier institute in U.P. for dance and music. He had praise for the Principal and Staff of Nav Sadhana for the promotion of Classical dance and music, the heritage of India. The Chief-guest, Guests of Honour and Directors of Biblical Apostolate were honoured with shawl. Dr.Fr.V.Sebastian, Director welcomed the august audience. Dr.Ramsudhar Singh anchored the programme as well as thanked all. The day ended with the delicious dinner prepared with love by Rev.Fr.Sylvester and his team. The day was made memorable for all.
