From the Area PresidentFrom the Area PresidentFrom the Area PresidentFrom the Area PresidentFrom the Area President

Area PresidentYm Adv Philip MathaiYm Adv Philip MathaiYm Adv Philip MathaiYm Adv Philip MathaiYm Adv Philip Mathai

Area SecretaryYm T. ThomasYm T. ThomasYm T. ThomasYm T. ThomasYm T. Thomas

Area TreasurerYm M. IsaacYm M. IsaacYm M. IsaacYm M. IsaacYm M. Isaac

Area Bulletin EditorYm K.C. SamuelYm K.C. SamuelYm K.C. SamuelYm K.C. SamuelYm K.C. Samuel

Area Assistant SecretaryYm V.K. JosephYm V.K. JosephYm V.K. JosephYm V.K. JosephYm V.K. Joseph

Area Assistant TreasurerYm E. Jacob KurianYm E. Jacob KurianYm E. Jacob KurianYm E. Jacob KurianYm E. Jacob Kurian

Associate Bulletin EditorYm Koshy MathewYm Koshy MathewYm Koshy MathewYm Koshy MathewYm Koshy Mathew

Y’s MEN

INTERNATIONAL

INDIA AREA

2010-11

“To acknowledge the duty that

accompanies every right”

IP’s Theme

Once more we standOnce more we standOnce more we standOnce more we standOnce more we stand

IP’s Slogan

Build a bridge to the futureBuild a bridge to the futureBuild a bridge to the futureBuild a bridge to the futureBuild a bridge to the future

AP’s Theme

Be the light of the worldBe the light of the worldBe the light of the worldBe the light of the worldBe the light of the world

AP’s slogan

Share our blessings in loveShare our blessings in loveShare our blessings in loveShare our blessings in loveShare our blessings in love

Y’s TimesBULLETIN OF Y’S MEN INTERNATIONAL

INDIA AREAVol. 1 No. 3 April 2011

Excerpts from IP’s LetterExcerpts from IP’s LetterExcerpts from IP’s LetterExcerpts from IP’s LetterExcerpts from IP’s Letter

The YMCA and Y’s Men in Japan have been quick to respond

to this disaster. Sendai YMCA buildings were damaged by the

earthquake, but in spite of this, the YMCA has been providing

food to the sufferers.

Y’s Men, Y’s Youths and others have joined in the effort. The

Japan East Region and the Alliance of YMCAs in Japan have set up headquarters

for the relief effort.

Once again, I extend my deepest gratitude for all your prayers, support and

compassion as a Y’s Man in Japan as well as International President.

Sincerely yours,

Hirotoshi Fujii

International President 2010/11

(For the full text, visit: www.ysmen.org. See page 4 for an appeal for help – Eds)

Y’s Men, Menettes, Youth and Lings of India Area pray for the safetyY’s Men, Menettes, Youth and Lings of India Area pray for the safetyY’s Men, Menettes, Youth and Lings of India Area pray for the safetyY’s Men, Menettes, Youth and Lings of India Area pray for the safetyY’s Men, Menettes, Youth and Lings of India Area pray for the safetyof those affected and for a speedy return to normal lifeof those affected and for a speedy return to normal lifeof those affected and for a speedy return to normal lifeof those affected and for a speedy return to normal lifeof those affected and for a speedy return to normal life

Dear Friends ,It is with a heavy heart that I write this letter to

you. As you know, on 11th Marchthe world witnessed one of the mostsavage earthquakes followed by adevastating Tsunami in Japan.Never perhaps in the history of theworld has such a natural disasterstruck so suddenly on so splendid a

nation teeming with an industrious populationrazed to a pile of debris. It was heart-rending tosee the damage caused by the disaster. The threatof nuclear leak from the reactors is all the moredangerous. We, Y’s Men of India, pray for thethousands of our brothers, sisters andchildren who lost their lives and property, andplace on record our deep grief and sorrow onthe sad and sudden loss of life of our brothersand sisters in Japan.

While expressing our solidarity, it is ourbounden duty to help the victims of the disasterwho lost everything in their lives. Let us stand up

once more as one and share our blessings in

love and light up the lives of our sufferingbrothers and sisters. The IHQ, AP of Asia Area,Takatasan and the Regional Directors of variousRegions in Japan are doing their best to providerelief  to the victims. Let’s join them and do ourbest. Area India has set up an earthquake relieffund for Japan with an initial sum of Rs. 50,000.Details and an appeal for your generouscontribution are published elsewhere in this issue.

Friends, we have almost come to the end ofour activities for 2010-11. After this Area Council

in Chennai on April 3, we go to the AreaConvention scheduled to be held in 26th June inCochin. At this Convention Ym Finn Pederson ofNorway and myself will be installed as IP and IPE,while Ym Isaac Palathinkal will be installed as AreaPresident.

Regarding the activities of our Area, I amhappy to note that all the RDs have done theirbest in implementing the Area and othercommunity projects. Though I did not give muchimportance to extension, except in the unexploredStates in North India, almost all RDs havereported chartering of many new clubs, whichI hope will live for ever as a standing monumentof their sincere services. My heartycongratulations to all the RDS, especially to thosewho extended Y’sdom to North India and Gulfcountries. Those who feel that there is still scopefor extension in such areas may try their best asIHQ will give them credit during this year itself.

May I now request all RDs, DGs, ASDs,RSDs, Club Presidents and other office bearersof Y’s Men, Y’s Menettes and Y’s Lings clubs tocollect maximum amounts to the EarthquakeRelief Fund and our International Project Funds.

Finally, I thank each and every Y’s family whoprayed and helped me in the discharge of myduties and  bestowed on me the highest honourin Y’sdom by elevating me as your InternationalPresident for the year 2012-13. A big thank you!Yours in Y’sdom,

Philip Mathai

Area President & IPE 2011-12

Page 2

Y’s Times

Editor’s CornerEditor’s CornerEditor’s CornerEditor’s CornerEditor’s CornerWe have been preparing this bulletin in the shadow of death and destruction

caused by the earthquake and tsunami that hit northeast Japan in the second

week of March. As if misery has no end, the added threat of radiation from

Fukushima nuclear power plants looms large. Three generations have suffered

from the nuclear radiation following the Hiroshima and Nagasaki bombings

in 1945, and, it appears, that Japan’s woes are not yet over. In this hour of

trials and tribulations, we pray for the people of Japan and wish them well in

their struggle for recovery.

An abridged version of Ym Easaw John’s presentation at an earlier Council meeting is

published here. This is a point we have to take cognizance of since most of what ails our

movement is the unethical race for points, as opposed to service to humankind.

This issue of Y’s Times carries a good number of pieces on Area and International

events. We also tried our best to accommodate news of service projects executed by clubs

and districts. Local interventions to benefit the most needy and the local community are the

real reason why we have come together as a service club. Without it, we are just another

social organisation. Whatever news of local projects that reached us at the time of finalising

this issue have been included. In case there are any more, please send them and we shall carry

them in the next issue.

Yours in Y’sdom

K.C. Samuel

Area Bulletin Editor

Area EventsArea EventsArea EventsArea EventsArea Events

Area President Ym Philip Mathai addressing the Third

Area Council meeting that was held in Hyderabad on 31

October 2010. The Council meeting was hosted by the

Hyderabad Club of Central India Region.

The India Area Youth Camp was held in Kany Kumari

from 27 to 30 December 2010. In the picture above a

youth representative presents her viewpoints.

PIP Ym V.S. Bashir lighting the lamp marking the

inauguration of DGs-Elect Training Programme at Ayoor

on 26 and 27 February 2011.

Regional Directors-Elect TrainingRegional Directors-Elect TrainingRegional Directors-Elect TrainingRegional Directors-Elect TrainingRegional Directors-Elect Training

Area Convention 2011Area Convention 2011Area Convention 2011Area Convention 2011Area Convention 2011

on 26th Juneon 26th Juneon 26th Juneon 26th Juneon 26th June

at Gokulam Park, Kochiat Gokulam Park, Kochiat Gokulam Park, Kochiat Gokulam Park, Kochiat Gokulam Park, Kochi

Register early and attendRegister early and attendRegister early and attendRegister early and attendRegister early and attendin larin larin larin larin large numbers!ge numbers!ge numbers!ge numbers!ge numbers!

IP-Elect Ym Finn Pedersen lighting the lamp (left) and PIP Ym V.S. Bashir delivering the inaugural address on

the occasion of the training of Regional Directors-Elect held at Munnar, Kerala, between 4th and 6th February 2011

Ym Philip Mathai of Cochin, India, has been elected International

President Elect of Y’s Men International for a period of one year,

starting 01 July 2011. On 01 July 2012 he will assume the office of

International President for one year.

New International Council Members (ICMs) from India taking charge

in July 2011 for a period of three years are Yw Susy Mathews (South

West India), Ym Rabi Panigrahi (Central India) and Ym K.G. Varghese

(South West India).

Participation in the voting

Based on the membership as at 31st December 2010 of 1,598 clubs,

the participation rate was 54 per cent. Out of the ballots received, 10

International Election Results 2010/11International Election Results 2010/11International Election Results 2010/11International Election Results 2010/11International Election Results 2010/11

Yw Susy Mathew Ym Rabi Panigrahi Ym K.G. Varghese

were late and the IEOs had to declare 197 invalid for various reasons

leaving a total of 659 valid voting ballots.

Regional Directors-Elect and their Teams with International and Area Leaders

Y’s Times

Page 3

An intensive training programme was held from 24th to 27th February

at Aarhus, Denmark where Area Webmasters from all the nine Areas

of Y’s Men International were given hands-on training to upload data.

As part of the consolidation and to provide easier access and

navigation, Y’s Men International has initiated a process to provide

details of worldwide Y’s activities in a single website.

The International has allotted us separate pages for the India Area

on the website ysmen.org with facility to update content from Area,

Regions and Districts on separate pages. This will ensure that all the

information relating to Indian Y’sdom is available on the International

website instead of trying to locate/host them on different websites and

locations. All Regions and Districts will also have separate pages and

individual club activities will appear under the respective Districts.

Separate links can also be provided to individual websites of Regions,

Districts, and Clubs.

News, programme schedules, details of office bearers, action

photographs, etc. may be sent to the India Area Webmaster preferably

in MSWord and JPG formats for updation. The data will be uploaded

subject to availability of space and conditions laid down by the

International.

All webmasters are requested to kindly furnish details to the Area

webmaster so that the same can be uploaded.

India Area Webmaster: Ysm. Philips K Cherian, Tel: 91–80–

9448496520 or Email: philipsca@gmail.com

World Malaria Day — A Day to ActWorld Malaria Day — A Day to ActWorld Malaria Day — A Day to ActWorld Malaria Day — A Day to ActWorld Malaria Day — A Day to Act

25 April is a day to commemorate

global efforts to control malaria.

The theme of the fourth World

Malaria Day – Achieving Progress

and Impact – heralds the

international community’s

renewed efforts to assess progress

towards zero malaria deaths by

2015.

World Malaria Day represents

a chance for all of us to make a

difference. Whether you are a

government, a company, a charity

or an individual, you can roll back

malaria and help generate broad

gains in health and human

development.

Reducing the impact of ma-

laria is key to the achievement of

the Millennium Development

Goals, agreed by every United

Nations Member State. These in-

clude not only combating the dis-

ease itself, but also goals related to

women’s and children’s rights and

health, access to education and the

reduction of extreme poverty.

Hundreds of RBM partners –

international organizations,

companies, academic and research

institutions, foundations, NGOs

and individuals – are already

gaining ground against malaria.

Diverse partner initiatives are

guided by a single strategy, outlined

in the Global Malaria Action Plan.

Training of Area WebmastersTraining of Area WebmastersTraining of Area WebmastersTraining of Area WebmastersTraining of Area Webmasters ReflectionsReflectionsReflectionsReflectionsReflections

Image Building (What With?)Image Building (What With?)Image Building (What With?)Image Building (What With?)Image Building (What With?)This ia an abridged version of the paper that was circulated at the

first Area Council held in Bangalore in August 2010

If we are afraid of openly sharing our perceptions about,

and our insights into, the workings of our movement for

fear of rocking the boat, then we are not being

intellectually honest. And, sending anonymous letters,

for whatever reason, is not the right approach either,

because it lacks moral courage and is no different from

a cowardly act of attacking someone by stealth.

I recall an incident from SWIR that happened in

1994–95. The President of a Club had written, of course in response

to tiresome exhortations to increase membership and to view such

increase as a lifeline that is connected to awards criteria. The thrust of

the president’s letter was that his club did not see much in the race for

points and awards and that they would rather be motivated by com-

munity service that the clubs were duty-bound to render to the needy.

The leaders were not amused. They harrumphed.

In the sixteen-odd years that I have been in Y’sdom, I have, time and

again, heard the rhetoric that unless we registered a marked increase in

membership in India, our voice would not be heard in international

committee meetings. Pray, tell me, do our ambassadors all speak with

one voice, if they have it in them to speak at all? And, in any case, isn’t

one, or maybe two, spokesperson/s from India good enough?

We have to move beyond merely attending dinners, having fun and

fellowship and doing not much more than generally flaunting our

increasing membership. The leadership, especially at the club level, has

to rise above taking the line of least resistance and go out to the

community which they are pledged to serve. And they must resist the

urge to induct all and sundry merely to create vote banks and plotting

how they can upset others and win elections and, having won, how

their own positions can be consolidated. Whatever has happened to

the hallowed principle of ‘the office seeking the candidate’, I wonder.

Can we look back with unmixed pride on the years that have gone

by and claim that we have achieved the goals we had set for ourselves?

Our Own Worst Enemy

Some time ago I read a book titled, ‘Our Own Worst Enemy’ by

Norman F. Dixon, (1988: Futura Publications), the central theme of

which is that the survival of modern man is threatened not so much by

the elemental forces of nature such as inundating waters or raging

epidemics or global warming and such like as by the elemental passions

of his own psyche (inner self). That is, this book is about why man

might, and probably will, destroy himself of his own volition. It argues

that by working against each other, we indeed become our own worst

enemy.

Dixon says that leaders who are unfettered by moral scruples have

a huge advantage over those who are held back by notions of fair play.

If the leader is unscrupulous, he frees those who accept his leadership

from constraints of morality. And, if such a leader has a frank, open

countenance, it induces a level of trust far beyond what he or she

deserves. It is a sugar-coated pill, like a wolf in sheep’s clothing, which is

best dressed to deceive, he adds, mixing metaphors merrily. They can,

with such disarming ease, make their followers accept their barefaced

deceptions to marginalize and silence those sincere workers who they

perceive as a threat to their entrenched positions.

Instead of sharing their ideas and insights, such leaders of Y’sdom

spend time taking jabs at those they dislike. Probably being captive to

past hurts, real or imagined, they continue to nurse them indefinitely

without any thought of letting bygones be bygones. How much more

creditable to our movement would it be if ‘friend and foe alike’ sit

together, share ideas and insights and discuss the common challenges

the movement faces. The more they discuss them, the more their

opposing visions would converge and become one common vision.

Ym Easaw Joseph John

ASD-Image Building

India Area Webmaster Ym Philips Cherian (seated left extreme, in the front row)

attended the training programme conducted by the IHQ in Denmark in February

this year. He filed a report along with his personal impressions of the host nation.

In this issue, we carry the business part of his report.

Y’s Times

Y’s Times is the official bulletin of the India Area Team of Y’s Men International and is published four times during the year.

Edited by Ym K.C. Samuel and Ym Koshy Mathew. Printed at the National Printing Press, Bangalore. For Private Circulation only.

Page 4

Members of Y’s Men International

and the general public are invited to

send donations to support the

recovery process in Japan. An

account will soon be established by

Region Japan East called “Gambare

Nippon!” and in the meantime,

donations can be sent directly to

IHQ in Geneva through the Area,

clearly stating that the payment is

for Gambare Nippon!

This money will be remitted to

the Region Japan East account to

support Y’s Men and YMCA tsunami

recovery projects in Japan.

“We are with you, Japan”“We are with you, Japan”“We are with you, Japan”“We are with you, Japan”“We are with you, Japan”

Area India has set up an Earthquake

Relief Fund by opening an account

with the Panampilly Nagar–Cochin

Branch of the Union Bank of India

with an initial contribution of Rs.

50,000 (approximately 90,000 Yen)

from the Area President, Ym Philip

Mathai. Ymt Elizabeth contributed

Rs. 5,000 and the Area Team

followed suit with their personal

contributions, as indicated below.

The Area Team suggests that each

Y’s family in India contribute at least

US$100, taking into account the grav-

ity of the situation.

Donations may be made by DD/

cheque favouring “Y’s Men Interna-

tional India Area Earthquake Relief

Fund for Japan” and sent to the Area

Treasurer.

For those wishing to make a direct

bank transfer, the account details are:

Bank: Union Bank of India

SB A/c No. 396701010035441

Branch: PANAMPALLY

NAGAR–COCHIN

IFSC Code: UBIN0539678

News From ClubsNews From ClubsNews From ClubsNews From ClubsNews From Clubs“Gambare Nippon!” – An Appeal“Gambare Nippon!” – An Appeal“Gambare Nippon!” – An Appeal“Gambare Nippon!” – An Appeal“Gambare Nippon!” – An Appeal

Y’s Men’s Club of Hyderabad (CIR) has taken up “Project Education” with the

slogan “Motivate, Educate,Empower.” In the picture above (left), IPE Ym Finn Pedersen

and ISG Ym Takao Nishimura interact with students during their visit in February 2011

to the Government High School adopted by the club. They spent quality time in the

school and distributed lunch plates and biscuits to over 300 students.

Y’s Men’s Club of Ernakulam (MWIR) organised a walkathon as part of cancer care

programme on 28 February 2011. The walkathon and public meeting was organized in

association with the Cancer Relief Society Cochin. The walkathon was flagged off by

Miss Sarayu, cine artist, and the public meeting held at Durbar Hall Ground was

inaugurated by Justice Shri V.R.Krishna Iyer.

Y’s Men’s Club of Karaikudi (SIR)has reported several service projects including a

medical camp. In the picture on the left, PRD Dr Paul Chellappa and other members are

seen distributing uniforms to over 50 school children on the eve of Christmas 2010.

Y’s Men’s Club of Bangalore (SIR) handed over a brailler, which helps type

published text in braille, to Snehadeep Trust for the Disabled in February 2011 in the

presence of the District Governor Ym C.A. Joseph and PRD Ym K.C. Samuel.

Y’s Men’s Club of Kakkanad Town (MWIR), renovated the clock tower at NGO

Quarters Junction of Kakkanad town. A direction board was also mounted on it. Sri

K.Babu, MLA from Tripunithura inaugurated the clock tower on Independence day.

Bangalore District II of South India Region conducted a series of career guidance

sessions in several schools and colleges in North Bangalore in February 2011. In the

picture above (right) Ym Mohan Sundar, DG, speaks while other resource persons Mr.

Manoj Subramaniam, Ym Aby Abraham and Ym Koshy Mathew await their turns.

Donations will be routed to Japan through the IHQ. The list of donors will

be published by Area India and sent to the IHQ for acknowledgement.

Donations Received as on 28th March 2011Donations Received as on 28th March 2011Donations Received as on 28th March 2011Donations Received as on 28th March 2011Donations Received as on 28th March 2011

Name INR

Ym Philip Mathai

Area Presdient 50,000

Ymt Elizabeth Philip 5,000

Ymt & Ym T.M. Mathew

International Treasurer 5000

Ymt & Ym T. Thomas

Area Secretary 5,000

Ymt & Ym M. Isaac

Area Treasurer 5,000

Ymt & Ym K.C. Samuel

Area Bulletin Editor 10,000

Ymt & Ym V.K. Joseph

Area Asst. Secretary 5,000

Ymt & Ym E. Jacob Kurian

Area Asst. Treasurer 5,000

Ymt & Ym Koshy Mathew

Associate Bulletin Ed 5,000

Ym T.M Jose

ISD-Endowment Fund 5,000

Ymt & Ym Philips Cherian

Area Webmaster 5,000

Ym V.A. Thankachen

RD-MWIR 50,000

ObituaryObituaryObituaryObituaryObituary

Ym P. Narayana Swamy, Regional Director, SWIR,

passed away on 30 December 2010 after being

involved in a car accident, while returning from a Club

meeting.

He leaves behind his wife and a son.

We pay our homage to the departed soul and pray for

the solace of the bereaved family.