by BIS Correspondent
DAKOR, DEC 11, 2017: The Salesian Youth Movement [SYM] SYMBIOS GuRaM 2017 was officially inaugurated by Father Godfrey D'Souza – Salesian 
Provincial Mumbai on December 09, 2017 at Dakor Don Bosco. Amidst a vast gathering comprising of 445 youth participants, volunteers, Salesians, SMI and FMA nuns, Father D'Souza declared the gathering open by launching the SYMBIOS Logo-Rosary Balloon that took flight on a pleasantly sunny weekend morning.
SYMBIOS signifies Salesian Youth Movement and Life [Bios], through which the Salesians of Don Bosco promote an integral Salesian Youth Spirituality among the young. This en masse gathering in its formulaic etymology means a '
Home of Life and Love', proposing to the young to live meaningful lives, through Connect [Home], Commit [Love], and Celebrate [Life]. The young from 15 institutions in the Gujarat-Rajasthan-Madhya Pradesh region were animated on the four themes of Family-Relationships, Environment, Education-Culture and Social Action.
During the two-day event, among the varied activities, are included creative expressions like collage-making, rangoli, best out of waste, folk dances, cultural ensembles, interfaith prayer moment, alongwith serious issue-based inputs by animators/facilitators. Father D'Souza in his inimitable style during the opening speech invited the youngsters to "become responsible stakeholders and co-creators in the creation of a humane society as connected, committed and celebrating global citizens."
Shailesh Christie, reputed motivational speaker cum mentor-trainer invited the young to go beyond the superficial connectivity of the social media that has hooked all of us, to "take on self-responsibility through concrete commitments /resolutions, enhancing the quality of life in family and societal life, contributing to positive, insightful thinking envisioning a loving and caring world."
Swaying to the electrifying beats of local folk music, the young people added zing to the day's proceeding with a cultural garba, adding zestful spark and glitter dispelling the darkness of the dry wintry night, warming up to one another and ushering in a new era of dynamic synergy.
The SYMBIOS GuRaM is the first such instance of a vast gathering of young people from across the institutions animated by the Salesian Family in the north-western part of India. A moment of camaraderie that enlivens, informs, educates, connects and celebrates the young, this mega youth event is an occasion to commit to a better me and a better we.