kallianpurdotcom : 30/03/23
By Pradeep Farias, Kallianpur/Melbourne.
It was 1981, the whole Kallianpur Milagres church community was gearing up to celebrate Tri-Centenary of the church.
At that time, as a teenager, I was part of a vibrant youth group called Youth Center Kallianpur that made a significant impact on my life. It was a group of young people who were studious, passionate about sports, community volunteering, and their faith. Being part of this group was one of the most memorable experiences of my life.
We were a group of diverse individuals with diverse backgrounds, faiths, and beliefs. However, we shared a common goal of making a positive impact on our community and each one of us. We took part in various local and inter-parish events such as singing competitions, athletic meets, cricket, badminton, table tennis, and volleyball tournaments held in Kallianpur, Udyavara, Shankarpura and Udupi. We grabbed many trophies which we proudly displayed in our club. It was always an opportunity to showcase our skills, make new friends and have fun.
In addition to sports, we were actively involved in community volunteering activities. We would extend a helping hand in community events such as marriage and roce ceremonies by decorating the venue, participating in food preparation, and serving the guests. At that time there were no caterers nor event managers. After lunch we also entertained the guests with our dancing and singing. We volunteered in several church events including levelling off the college sports ground, repairing roads, and community clean-ups. These activities helped us to appreciate the importance of giving back to society. We also learned valuable skills such as teamwork, leadership,and communication, which are essential for personal and professional growth.
Our youth group also had a strong spiritual foundation. We would attend church services, retreats, and participate in festivities. Most memorable one is the celebration of Milagres church tri centenary event under the leadership of loving and respectful late Fr. D’Cruz. These activities helped us to deepen our faith and develop a keen sense of purpose. We learned the importance of living a life that reflects our values and beliefs. Our faith also helped us to build strong bonds of friendship that have lasted over the years.
Being part of this youth club was not only about sports, volunteering, and faith. We also had a lot of fun together. We would organise social events such as Christmas dances, drama, and picnics. These events gave us an opportunity to relax, unwind and have a good laugh with our friends. It was a time to build lasting memories that we still cherish today.
In conclusion, my teenage years were some of the best years of my life, thanks to my youth group. Being part of this group helped me to develop a sense of purpose, build valuable skills, and make lifelong friends. The experiences I had in this group have shaped me into the person I am today. I am grateful for the memories and the friendships that I have made.
Thank you Pradeep for refreshing the memories of youth center
Those were the days!… Great account by Pradeep of those olden golden days. I remember the lighting done to the church for the Tricentenary celebrations. Also remember vodle fest in January.
Thank you Pradeep. In the absence of the Social Media in those days, Youth Centre Kallianpur (YCK) was a place that we used to meet every evening. With a pool of talent combined with the active participation in various sports & cultural events under the inspirational leaders from time to time, YCK won numerous prestigious trophies. Memories to cherish throughout our lifetime.
Very true.
Indeed Youth centre has discovered in us our uniqueness, our individuality, our talents and in turn cultivated in us an atmosphere of understanding, acceptance, tolerance, and compassion.
What we have started as Youth Centre in 1973, continued to Milagres friends
Thank you. Pradeep/ Prashanth for this beautiful article.
Thanks for reminding our good old days..
Well written article Pradeep. Enjoyed reading 😊 Cheers 🍻
Great job, Pradeep! Your writing brought back so many memories of the eighties, and reading it made me feel nostalgic. I appreciate you taking the time to write about a time when social media didn’t exist, and we could interact with each other in person. It’s sad to think that the younger generation may not experience the same kind of personal connections that we had growing up. Your photograph also helped to jog my memory, as I recognized many of the faces in it. Thank you again for your wonderful writing, and perhaps we should consider having a reunion of the Youth Centre members.
Well done Pradeep portraiting all sweet and bitter memories of our yester years through Youth Centre, a place for every entertainment ( without mobile or social media). Many have left this world but the memories are so ripe.. The drama practices, sleeping on the cricket mat in the Hall after practice at nights.. TT champion Pradeep. Used to order the racket using Intl payment coupons etc. Youth Centre was everywhere from the room near Hall to Hodle Fest stall. So many….
Khaie gelai ye pati tu youthpona??
We exhaust and evaporate.. but memories live…. Great efforts by Pradeep Farias..