The Leaders and Animators Formation (LAF) Programme of the three Salesian Provinces of NorthEast India was inaugurated at Siloam, Umsawkhwan, Ri-Bhoi District, Meghalaya, on 21 August 2026. Organised by DBYA-SA and hosted by the Province of Shillong (INS), the three-day programme is being held from 21 to 23 August under the theme, “Arise! Be Light. Be Hope. Be Don Bosco’s Youth!” Altogether 81 youth leaders are participating in the LAF Training and 31 from the Province.

The Chief Guest at the inaugural programme was Rev. Fr Anthony Kharkongor SDB, former Youth Ministry Delegate and presently the Social Experience Dimension Coordinator of the Shillong Province.

In his inaugural address, Fr Anthony emphasised that true leadership is not about position, authority or giving orders, but about serving others, inspiring them and bringing out the best in them. Quoting Mahatma Gandhi, he said, “The best way to find yourself is to throw yourself, lose yourself in the service of others.”

He urged the young participants to embrace servant leadership, asking them to replace the question “What can others do for me?” with “What can I do for others?” He reminded them that leadership begins not when one receives a position, but here and now—in the family, classroom, community and among friends.

Drawing lessons from the lives of Mahatma Gandhi, Nelson Mandela and Abraham Lincoln, Fr Anthony highlighted three essential qualities of leadership: service and simplicity, forgiveness and reconciliation, and courage and perseverance.

He encouraged the young leaders to help rather than complain, listen rather than dominate, take responsibility rather than blame others, and include those who feel lonely or left out. Above all, he stressed the importance of leading by example.

Concluding his message, Fr Anthony quoted Eleanor Roosevelt: “A good leader inspires people to have confidence in the leader; a great leader inspires people to have confidence in themselves.” He challenged the participants to become leaders who serve, inspire, unite and leave others better than they found them.

The LAF programme includes formation sessions by the Youth Ministry Delegates of the three NorthEast Provinces on the specific themes of Salesian Youth Movement, the Preventive System, Salesian Youth Spirituality, and the role of the Salesian leader and animator in leading, animating and accompanying young people in the age of media.