As the four-day-long 5th Regional Youth Convention 2025 commenced in Nagaland at the Mary Help of Christians Cathedral Kohima on Friday evening, Chief Minister of Meghalaya

Conrad K Sangma who graced the opening function as the special guest exhorted the youth gathering that small things can bring hope and change to the multitude of issues that confronts the people in today’s world.

Sangma in his message cited the example of St. Teresa, of how she had selflessly given herself to the service of the poorest of the poor and become a pilgrim of hope He expressed hope that the convention will inspire the 2000 youth delegates from the northeast states to become pilgrims of hope.

“It’s about the prayer. It’s about the purposeful actions that you do. Small things can bring hope and can bring change, especially in today’s world where there is so much of problems and issues, so much of concern that’s facing us,” Sangma said.

Expressing his pleasure to be a part of the program that Indian Catholic Youth Movement (ICYM) and the Regional Committee is organizing, he said it was a privilege to be at the convention.

Sangma encouraged the youth of the region to compete at the top and with the best in the country and in the world.

Touching on the topic of entrepreneurship, Sangma expressed concern on the less number of entrepreneurs in the region. Towards this, he urged upon the ICYM to conduct training programs and sessions, to have discussions on enterprise, entrepreneurship and business. Pointing out that he would like to see more catholic youths come up with enterprises, start businesses, and become icons of the region and the country, Sangma called upon them to inculcate the quality of humility. “If you don’t have your feet and your ears on the ground, you are not going to sustain it,” he said, adding that the youth need to have in their hearts the fear of the Lord, respect for elders, and to have humility in every situation.

The Meghalaya CM also said that the youth are the greatest constructive force that the world has seen, and if they can’t nurture it then they also have the potential to become the biggest destructive force that the world could see.

Download Nagaland Tribune app on Google Play

The Convention is organized by ICYM-NE and North East Regional Youth Commission (NERYC) and hosted by the Nagaland Catholic Youth Movement (NCYM). The event also marks the Silver Jubilee of Indian Catholic Youth Movement, the youth body of CCBI Youth Commission.

During the program, a welcome address was delivered by Rev. Fr John Batman MSFS , RYD while presidential address was given by ICYM-NE president Huimingam Jonah Chithung. NERYC chairman Most Rev. Dr Linus Neil also exhorted the gathering. The SACYM ( Shillong Archdiocese) choir presented a song.

Rev. Victor  Lyngdoh, Archbishop of Shillong delivered the main message to the youth while a short speech was also given by Most Rev Dr James Thoppil, Bishop of Kohima .