Hill Christian youths vie for top spot in X-Mas carol contest

SNS, SILIGURI, 18 DECEMBER 2020 : Youth groups from the Hills gave in their best to outperform each other both in the composition of original Christmas carol as well as video production in a carol singing competition organised by a community radio, which premiered on YouTube on 14 December.

Radio Salesian 90.8 FM's popular 'Jingle Bells Season-5, A Christmas Carol Competition' had 31 youth groups from Darjeeling, Sikkim, Kurseong, Kalimpong, Mirik and other far-flung areas sign up for the competition.

"The Covid- 19 pandemic has not dampened the enthusiasm and creative expression of hill youths," Radio Salesian and Salesian TV director Fr CM Paul said.

Original compositions in Nepali language were recorded on smart phones and transferred online to Radio Salesian and Salesian TV.

24 submissions were premiered simultaneously on Salesian TV (YouTube) for online competition, which started at 10 am on 14 December. The videos can be accessed on https://www.facebookcom/radiosalesian or on Salesian TV (YouTube Channel).

The competition necessitates the securement of maximum number of views over a period of two weeks in order to secure cash prize, trophy and certificate for first and second positions, as well as three consolation prizes for third, fourth and fifth positions. Voting will continue till 10 am on 28 December, when the organisers said they will tabulate the total views for each carol.

"I am absolutely proud of all the participants for their excellent show of interest and talents, for what they have created and achieved during such times of pandemic," said SalesianTV programme director Bruno Thapa, complementing all the 24 groups for their exceptional final out-put which is a massive success for all of us."

Comparing submissions to last years' carol competition, Mr Thapa said, "We have a variety of delightful Visual treatments and promising works from the participants with different backgrounds having moderate knowledge about media techniques."

Radio Salesian programme director RJ Samir said, "The groups have successfully created satisfactory visual contents with excellent original carol compositions, displaying musical sense of traditional flavours into audio-visual creation."

For the first time this year, Radio Salesian conducted the competition in collaboration with the lndian Catholic Youth Movement (ICYM) chapter of the Darjeeling-Sikkim Diocese, Salesian Youth Movement Kolkata, and Don Bosco Job Placement Network, New Delhi.

Darjeeling-Sikkim Diocesan Youth Chaplain Fr George Lepcha said, "Some 400 young people from 24 parishes participated in the carol group as well as in the video production."

The best 10 carol video presentations are shortlisted for packaging a television programme in English and Nepali languages with RJ Bryan and RJ Moses anchoring in English and Nepali languages, respectively.

Christened 'Carols from the Hills the 30-minute programme is being offered free to local cable television and YouTube Channels this Christmas.