The youths, boys and girls, of Allahabad, Agra, Gorakhpur, Jhansi and Varanasi arrived at Nav Sadhana with joy, enthusiasm and fervor to participate in the Regional Bible Festival on Oct. 30, 2015. 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.Susairaj, Principal, St.John’s School, D.L.W., Varanasi 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 meaning and its implication of COMPASSION of the Lord Jesus for the least, last and lost. The competitions were held on the following items based on the Gospel According to St.Luke: 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 4.30 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. Some suggestions were made for the future course of action such as bilingual quiz: Hindi and English.
On Nov. 1, 2015 Good News Festival was celebrated; it began with Eucharistic celebration offered by Most Rev. Pius D’Souza, Bishop of Ajmer, 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 Om Prakash Chaubey, A.D.M., Protocol, 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, Taal Vadya, and the special item Dance-Drama performd by NSKK students based on the episode of Zaccheus titled “Mukti ka Aagman”, which means Advent of Salvation directed by Rev.Fr.C.R.Justy, choreographed by Sir Robin A. and Sir Vengadesh Prabhu. The students of Kala Kendra presented the special items: Prayer song at the time of lighting the lamp guided by Sr.Govind Verma and the episode of Zacheus in the form of dance-drama. 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 Sarnath and St.Mary’s Cathedral Bible Exhibition portraying the salvation history.
In his speech the Chief Guest Most Rev. Pius Thomas D’Souza, who awarded the championship trophy to Sunbeam School, Bhagwanpur in Sangeet-Nritya Mahotsava and Varanasi Diocese in Regional Bible Festival Competitions, emphasized that the music and dance unites the hearts of the people with God and people, promotes harmonious living and loving, though the present scenario of the nation depicts violence and intolerance. 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 released the Audio CD titled CHAMKA TARA, which consists of Christmas Songs. He appreciated Nav Sadhana team, especially the Nav Sanchar team headed by Fr.C.R.Justy for the timely new productions. He wished that the production would help to develop talents and to disseminate the Lord Jesus’ love and compassion. Shri Om Prakash Chaube, who awarded the first prize winners of Sangeet-Nritya Mahotsava competitions, articulated that Nav Sadhana is the Shanti Van of the Noble Prize winner and Poet Robindranath Tagore. He experienced the peace, serenity in the campus with greenery around. 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. Sr.Joan, CJ, Vice Principal 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 the youths of the region, who participated in the Regional Bible Festival.
