The two days of youth gathering had 115 participants from eight parishes. Centred on the theme “Let your Light shine” the gathering had several events on devotional music contests, talks, discussions, campfire gatherings and liturgical sessions. Ashmita Gurung, from Sonada parish, said, “This is my first time to any deanery youth meet and I have had an enriching experience of the well-organized event.” She added, " I will cherish the adoration and campfire moments most.” Anshu Chettri, another participant said, “This youth meeting was more beautiful than the last because of the spiritual sessions of confession, adoration and witness talks.”

Supported by Brothers of Salesian College Sonada, the Zonal Executive Committee known also as ZEXCO organized the youth meeting. It is the body of leaders in a deanery of the diocese. The diocese of Darjeeling has eight deaneries. Juliana Rai a senior youth leader of the Sikkim-Bengal Regional Executive Committee who was invited to the event said, “Today’s programme has a special contest on self-composed music for different psalms. With such events, the youth of different parishes get to share faith and organizational experiences.”

Father Pawanjit Singh, the chief organizer of the event said that with Father Sylvanus Lepcha, the youth coordinator of the deanery the aim was to make the meet a spiritual and entertaining experience. “The celebration of confession and fun games at camp fire were most appreciated events of this youth meet,” said the Salesian priest.

The deanery-level meet is organized annually to unite parishes on major issues of the Catholic faith.  Youth leaders from different parishes come together to learn leadership and friendship executive skills. Father Sylvanus Lepacha, the youth coordinator of Darjeeling Kurseong deanery said, “This youth meet is not new to the deanery. Due to the pandemic and lockdown, we could not have the annual meet after the last meeting in 2019 at Mirik.” He also said that the meeting was named ‘Youth Exuberant’ to bring back together with excitement.

The Darjeeling Kurseong deanery consists of 17 parishes. Apparently, the stupor of the lockdown is yet to wear off for all the parishes to return to such youth events, said several members of the organizing committee. The events for young Christians are organized by the Indian Catholic Youth Movement or ICYM which has the national, regional, diocesan and parochial levels of the hierarchical organization.