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Lipok Jamir addressing the trainees during the concluding programme of the 15 days course at MDMI Training Centre, Khermahal on May 15.[/caption]
Eastern Mirror desk
Dimapur, May 15: The 15 days training course on ‘Social concern and leadership’ 2018 culminated at MDMI Training Centre, Khermahal in Dimapur on May 15.
The course was started in 2013 with an idea to train students’ community to confront the prevailing social issues and to respond to them appropriately.
The course was organised by the Prodigals’ Home of Dimapur in partnership with the National Council of Churches India (NCCI).
Director of Prodigal’s Home, K Ela talked about the challenges faced during the training session. She said a stage has not been yet arrived where students can debate and have competitive-like discussions about social issues. ‘They may know about books but are still ignorant of the realities in the society,’ she added. She is hopeful that the training programme will aid students to bring an impact in future.
Pastor of Diphupar Ao Baptist Church, Lipok Jamir in his message said everyone, as a member of the church ought to shoulder the societal responsibility.’ Lamenting over the moral degradation of the churches in the state, Jamir said, ‘the churches are indifferent towards the social issues in and around the state.’
‘After holding degrees and certificates, many remain in silence, thus, we fail to address the social issues, and corruption in the society. We fail to reflect the light in one’s life,’ Jamir said. He urged upon the trainees to vow in contributing for betterment of the society and to the church.
A trainee from the Baptist Theological College in Pfütsero, Mesewe-ü Therie shared her experience during her stay in the training. She said the training has broadened her perspective towards humanity. She asserted that the training was a process to self discovery, where one get to realise a sort of solutions to these prevailing social issues. She is of the view that the training was just the beginning to do something for the society.
Since its inception in 2013, the Prodigals’ Home has provided training for 142 students with 35 participants for this year. 80% of the trainees were from theology background. The training is a yearly event in the month of May with seats limited to 30 participants per year. Students from eight different colleges and a volunteer participated for this year’s training course. Social issues such as drug abuse, human trafficking, HIV and AIDS, women empowerment, vulnerable youth and children etc., were the main topics.