Meet stresses need for personality development of socially backward sections

The youth meet held as part of the 117th Maramon Convention, billed as Asia’s largest annual Christian congregation, on the banks of river Pampa at Maramon near Kozhencherry has called upon the Churches to strive for the personality development and upliftment of the socially backward sections of the society.

Delivering the keynote address, Dr George K. Alex, academic and thinker, said the socially backward sections of the society should be provided with the opportunity to make creative contributions in the fields of liturgy and social development.

The Mar Thoma Yuvajana Sakhyam president, Joseph Mar Barnabas, presided. Gregorios Mar Stephanos Episcopa delivered the keynote address at the forenoon session.

The Mar Thoma Sevika Sanghom meet was held in the afternoon. Bishop Malusi Mpumlwana, evangelist from South Africa, inaugurated the meet.

Rev Kang-San-Tan, evangelist from Malaysia, delivered the keynote address, later, in the evening.

Bible classes were held separately for men and women at the convention venue from 7.30 am to 8.30 am.

The annual religious retreat will come to a close on Sunday.

The Mar Thoma Metropolitan, Joseph Mar Thoma, will deliver the valedictory message at the concluding session to be held at 2.30 pm on Sunday.