TEZPUR, Jan 17 � Former Bishop of the Diocese of North East India, Rt Rev EW Talibuddin from New Delhi, said recently that he believes a new generation of future leaders is coming up in our country. The Christian priest, who was delivering his discourse before a mammoth gathering on the occasion of the open session of the two-year long centenary celebration of the Diocese of the North East region, which concluded here at the old Mission compound on January 11 last, said that every generation feels that it is at the epitome of human progress and morals, and hence they often look down upon the people of the older generation thinking the latter are technologically backward, while the older ones do the same, saying that the members of the new generation are not so wise.
�There are so many people on the internet, who believe that giving a smart phone to a 10-year-old is ruining their childhood, but they fail to notice that it�s the same as the Nintendo or a brick game device they had played when they were young. �Our youth now love luxury. They have bad manners, contempt for authority; they show disrespect for their elders and love chatter in place of exercise; they no longer stand up when elders enter the room; they argue with their parents, chatter before company; gobble up their food and tyrannise their teachers. These words were spoken many years ago, and are more or less the same words, the current younger generation now hears from so-called old and wise generation�. He said that the youth is the future. Although it is a hackneyed statement, it is not far from the truth. In years to come, today�s youth will become the leaders of our world, leaders who will continue and improve the legacy of today�s institutions and will carry them into a bright future. We must prepare our youth for the challenges they will confront in the future. It is our duty to equip them with the wisdom, knowledge and skills they need to succeed.
Sharing his experience as a Bishop between 1986 and 1996, he conveyed his gratitude towards the Christian society for remembering his contribution towards them.
A host of dignitaries graced the function, along with two other former Bishops of Tezpur (Catholic Church) respectively Rt Rev MA Toppo and Rt Rev Robert Kerketta. The present Bishop of Diocese of North east India (CNI) Rt Rev Michael Herenz subsequently welcomed the guests on behalf of the Diocese. Earlier, a mass prayer programme was held in the morning, which was followed by a cultural and peace rally that passed through the Tezpur town, in which more than 7,000 people from various communities, including Bodo, Adivasi, Khasi, Jaintia, Karbi and Garo in their traditional attires from Assam and Meghalaya took part. In the programme, people having close attachment with the Diocese and having made significant contributions towards the society were felicitated.
The programme concluded with a presentation of traditional dances by the people of Bodo, Adivasi, Khasi, Jaintia, Karbi and Garo communities.
