I agree with Sonny Poozhikkala. "People go to the conventions for family gathering and fun, to witness their children perform/participate in programs/competitions, to see if their grown up children can find suitable matches etc., and they will be there whether the Bishops are there or not".
Convention is like a real vacation for people. Going to India on vacation is often hectic and is with multipurpose agendas and often come back tired. But during convention, everybody enjoys seeing relatives, meeting old friends and having some pleasant time with everyone. Those who come for convention really enjoy it. Otherwise they wouldn't spend their money and time.
People go for conventions for a variety of reasons. Those who have nothing much to do go to have some fun and meet old friends and satisfy their nostalgia. Parents with young children go for conventions to witness their children perform/participate in programs/competitions. Parents with young children realized the importance of their children mingling within our community so that they may find their future spouse from the Knas. Young children really enjoy the convention and their Kna- friendship really expands. Parents with grown up children go to look for suitable matches for their children in addition to having their own fun.
Young adults go for convention to have fun with their Kna friends and also to search to find someone of their interest and liking who could potentially fulfil their dreams! If you ask those youth who happened to marry within the community, most of them will say that they found each other during KCYL convention, KCCNA convention or through some other Kna events.
The success of our community lies in the interest of our youth, not the parent's church. Just imagine how many of them will come for a church organized retreat/convention? Only parents with grown up children will understand these things. But if you don't come out to support and help out your own children, you too looses the one opportunity you have. Remember, time goes so fast.
Children are exposed to the good and bad, right and wrong things around us through the schools, community and culture they grow in. They should learn to grow responsibly and parents should help them. Parents cannot protect them always under their wings. We have to let them grow.
Convention is not about prayers. We invite our Bishops out of our love and respect. If they choose not to come, it is their choice. But our Bishops are alienating themselves from their people by boycotting the convention for wrong reasons. They are making a string (rosary) of mistakes to cover up their first one and now they are drowning deeper and deeper in their own dirt. They have to show courage and stand up for the corner stone principle of Knanaya community. That is their only way. The looser is the one who cannot participate in the convention for whatever reasons.
We have so many other ways to love, respect and mingle with the half-kna brethren, other syro-malabr and Malayalee people. There are happily married youth in every community. Those youth who married outside our community also are living happily like everyone else.
Parents, follow whatever church you want to follow. But put away your politics and give some good, fond memories for the sake of your children. To cherish when they get old, the fun they had as a Kna at conventions, small and silly and may be foolish things they did there, just like we remember our childhood fun now! Do not deprive them of their opportunity. Take them to conventions and do whatever is needed to strengthen our Knanaya community.
There were too many distractions rumours, and confusion which kept people from registering for this conventions. My request to the convention committee is to open up the registration for anyone else who like to join this KCCNA convention at this point.
Stephen Thottananiyil
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