Bangalore Post
BULLETIN OF BANGALORE DISTRICT II, SOUTH INDIA REGION, INDIA AREA
Volume 5
Read this at: www.issuu.com/leadserve
August 2011
Number 1
District Governor’s Letter
Greetings from the Area President
Dear Y’s friends The single most important pursuit of all human beings is happiness. We can easily see that in everything we do we seek happiness for ourselves and for our family. Perhaps that may be one reason why we have joined Y’sdom. Having said that let us dwell on how we can be happy by being members of Y’s Men International. First of all, let us consider what makes us happy. We are easily happy when we receive appreciation. We surely are happy when we receive gifts. Many things bring happiness to us. Some things bring momentary happiness while others sustain it for a longer time. But, the happiness that we experience when we share and when we give generously to others is unique, something special and deeper. If the above were true then all the Y’s men should be an extremely happy lot considering the number of projects that we do and the appreciative environment that we get to create. Moreover, members would be eagerly waiting for the next meeting. Are we are really happy when we meet in our clubs? Are we really happy when we give? Are we really happy when we volunteer to do some work for our clubs? Are we really excited and happy when we do a
Dear friends,
community project? If the Answer is a ‘yes’ then we are on the right track. If not, it is time to do some reality check. Charity, it is said, should begin at home. Are we charitable to our immediate family, to our kith and kin and to our neighbours? Charity need not necessarily be with material things but can also be with time that we spend with them. Remember, when we give generously our resources and time we surely will get ten-fold. This is a universal law. So, let’s together make Y’sdom “A movement of generous people.” The District has planned several collaborative projects aimed at image-building, and conservation and extension of membership. These projects will become a reality only with the active participation of member-clubs. Let’s join together to make Y’sdom vibrant and strong. Ym Louis Paulose District Governor
Your District is part of South India Region, which is one of the strongest and well-run Regions in India Area. Your community projects are exemplary and TOF project execution is effective; your dues have all been paid in time; you are quick to respond to the relatively new international programme and project, YES and RBM, respectively; your Region has the best per capita contribution towards International Projects; and finally, your bulletins are excellent in content and form. These do not come automatically. Rather, these are the results of motivation and inspiration given by your committed leaders in the Region, in which the District Governors play a big role. If the DG and his team are strong and committed, not only the future of the District, but also the future of our Movement is safe and sound. I wish Ym Louis Paulose and his team good luck and Godspeed in all the endeavours of the District. Ym Isaac Palathinkal Area President 2011-12
Editorially Speaking Yet another new Y’s year has dawned on us and you have a new editor. The task at hand is a daunting one for, the real purpose of a newsletter or bulletin is to inform, educate and entertain its readers. I am planning to focus on the first two aspects with a sprinkling of the third. In order to achieve this triple objective, I need your cooperation. Your club news and your views on the focii of the movement, namely fellowship, international understanding, leadership qualities and the like would receive top priority. So, dear fellow members, keep feeding us with your views and news of your activities. Send a picture also for maximum impact. In keeping with our commitment to ‘go green’, I am halving the number of pages to four from eight that was published until last year. But, I assure you that all important news/information and perspectives will find a place. This issue and subsequent issues will be hosted on the worlwide web at issuu.com/leadserve. If you have any queries, I can be reached at 98450-36147 or by e-mail (koshym@gmail.com). With best wishes for a fruitful year, Koshy Mathew Bulletin Editor
Bangalore Post
From the District Secretary Dear Y’s Friends The new Y’s year has commenced with the installation of the new office-bearers in the clubs of our District. While most of the clubs have carried out their installation, some of the active clubs are still to install their leaders and I am sure that they will have been installed by the time of publication of this bulletin. Now we have to get to the actual running of the clubs. The DG has come out with an array of projects in which we at the District will guide and assist all the interested clubs in undertaking such projects so that we can contribute to the needy in the society at large and thus increase the visibility of our organisation in Bangalore.
FOCUS: RBM PROJECT
I will always be there to assist the DG in his comprehensive plan for our District. All the members and the prospective members can call me for any information or help required by you in furthering the wellbeing of the Y’s movement in our District. Regards, Ysm. Raju P.U. District Secretary 9342534129 rajupu@gmail.com
What is your Carbon Footprint? Our Regional Director’s theme for the year is “Enrich the Environment” and, in this connection, he has exhorted all clubs and members to execute projects that would take us one step away from ecological disaster. The RD also spoke about the importance of reducing our carbon footprint, something that all of us can do every day without having to make any major investments of time or money. All it takes is a bit of caring and re-examining how we conduct ourselves. Beginning August 4, supermarkets in Bangalore are charging for plastic bags to carry home the purchases! Saying ‘no’ to plastic is becoming a reality. Many more such simple measures would be needed soon. So, getting used to the idea of being responsible for the planet by reducing our individual carbon footprint may not be a bad idea after all. Given below are some tips on how to reduce our individual carbon footprint – Editor.
Your carbon footprint is a measure of the effect that your daily activities have on the environment, in terms of the amount of greenhouse gases you produce (measured in units of carbon dioxide). Some people refer to this as “ecological footprint.” You can get a fair idea of your carbon footprint by using a carbon calculator. Such a tool measures the emissions your lifestyle generates, and shows you where you can change your individual impact. There are many practical steps we can take to reduce our personal or business carbon footprint. Recycle, Reuse, Reduce and Respect When we consciously apply the 4 R’s, we start to create new habits and move towards a more sustainable lifestyle that has fewer harmful consequences for mother Earth. 9 Use fewer plastic bags: take your own bags to the grocery store; you don’t need a plastic bag to take home your vegetables – a small cloth bag tucked into your pocket and a small walk go a long way. 9 Find a second use for empty juice Page 2
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bottles and yogurt containers. Take used plastic, glass and paper to a recycling centre. Do not throw away food. Buy recycled paper products, for instance for brochures and business cards. Use less electricity: turn off lights when you leave a room, switch off your geyser after the bath, switch over to CFL bulbs, check for leakages, don’t use your air conditioner at night... open your windows. Leave your car at home: walk to the store, take the bus, car pool. Turn off the engine when you’re making a deliver y or waiting for someone. Buy fewer consumer goods. Make what you already have last longer: don’t throw it away... get it repaired! Adopt an attitude of appreciation and respect in every action: you will think twice before wasting anything. Take a stand on ecological and conservation issues. Offset your carbon footprint by supporting environmental initiatives.
Roll Back Malaria (RBM) project is a partnership project with international agencies to combat malaria in some of the most vulnerable areas. In 2008, Y’s Men International collaborated with the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) to distribute 25,000 packages in Sierra Leone. The IFRC will continue as our partner during the 2010-2015 campaign to distribute nets funded by Y’s Men International in Sierra Leone, Kenya, Liberia and India. The Roll Back Malaria project is directly related to achieving the United Nations’ Millennium Development Goal 6 by 2015. Y’s Men International will collect 500,000 CHF over five years (2010-2015) to purchase and distribute 65,000 packages containing long-lasting insecticidal mosquito nets (LLINs), insecticide re-treatment kits, immunizations, Vitamin A (or multiple micronutrient) supplementation, and antimalarial “blister packs” for managing fever at home.
Malaria Malaria is a parasitic disease transmitted by the bite of infected mosquitoes. Once the first symptoms appear, malaria can kill very rapidly — and often does. More than a million people die of malaria each year, most of them children under five. In Africa, malaria is the leading cause of death among young children, killing a child every 30 seconds. Long-lasting insecticidal mosquito nets, if used properly, successfully prevent mosquitoes from infecting people with this disease. Studies show that high levels of insecticide-treated net coverage can reduce deaths in children by as much as 20 per cent from all causes, not just from malaria.
Call for action Y’s Men Clubs worldwide are encouraged to renew their efforts to combat this preventable disease. Rs. 350.00 can buy one anti-malaria package that can save a child in India, Sierra Leone, Kenya, or Liberia. Last year our District contributed 232 packages. Make sure you participate in this special project this year too through your home club.
Bangalore Post
Showcasing Talent
Menettes’ Column Y’s Menettes at District Level? Collaboration is the buzzword for the Y’sdom in our District this year. Menettes are not far behind in this area too. Cooperation among Y’s Menettes at the District level is an idea that originated in the recent past; the idea was initiated by our current DG Ym Louis Paulose and supported by many other senior Y’s leaders. First and foremost, we are aware that any organized community would be able to serve a cause better in comparison to the unorganized. Y’s Menettes could organize themselves at the district level and carry out various social activities, which will strengthen the functioning of Y’s Men’s Clubs. Even though many clubs in our District do not have a Y’s Menettes club, a collaborative approach will enable such Menettes to do active community projects and eventually be able to start their own Menettes clubs. Menettes, on the whole, will be able to scale up their community projects and improve the image of Y’sdom in Bangalore. A preliminary meeting was held on 21 July with representatives from most of the clubs from our District. Some of the ideas, which came out during the meeting were:
Conduct awareness programs related to
cancer and HIV/AIDS for high school students; Visit cancer care centres to offer support and solace; Organise a Medical Camp focusing on detection of cancer; Encourage and promote fellowship among Menettes by organizing a picnic; Bring the Menettes together for an exclusive event of their own to showcase their talents in the form of Menettes’ Nite. The idea is to network among Y’s Menettes in the District and to come up with proactive ideas. These ideas can become a reality only with the help and support of all the menettes. I request all the menettes, especially the senior Y’s Menettes, to guide and support us in making this a reality.
Transition at the Top Level
Ymt Leena Kurien District Menettes Coordinator
FROM THE CLUBS
International President Ym Finn Pedersen adorns the IP-Elect’s lapel pin on Ym Philip Mathai watched by Immediate Past IP Ym Hirotoshi Fujii. The transition ceremony took place in Kochi on June 26 during the India Area Convention
Left: District Governor Ym Louis Paulose greets Ym K.T. Paul, newly-installed President of the YMC of Bangalore-Millennium. Officers of the YMCs of Carmalaram and of Silicon City were also installed the same day (17 July) in which the RD Ym N. Ramesh was the Chief Guest. Right: Installtion of the officers of the Down Town Club on 24 July For thcoming Y’Y’ss Events orthcoming
YMCs of Bangalore, Bangalore-Sunshine and Bangalore-IT Corridor, the Menettes Clubs of Sunshine and of Bangalore, and the Youth Clubs of Symbiosis and United were installed on 10 July by the DG Ym Louis Palulose. Sri Lukose Vallatharai, IAS, former Secretary to the Government of Karnataka (left) was the Chief Guest
Y’s Menettes (above) and Y’s Lings (below) of the YMC of Bangalore-Millennium render dance items at their Charter Nite celebrations on 17 July
11 September September:: Second Area Council meeting at Madurai 18 September September:: South India Regional Council Meeting at Chennai 25 September September:: Onam celebrations of Bangalore District II. Venue: St. Joseph’s Indian High School auditorium 16 October October:: Second District Council meeting
Outgoing India Area President Ym Philip Mathai collars the new Area President Ym Isaac Palathinkal after the latter’s installation at Kochi on June 26
Respectful Homage We pay our deepest respect to the departed soul of Ym T.M. Mathew, Y’s Men International Treasurer, who passed away on 24 July at Ernakulam.We also pray for the solace of the bereaved members of the family. Page 3
Bangalore Post
District Conference – 09 April 2011
THE INAUGURATION AND INSTALLATION: AP-E Ym Isaac Palathinkal lights the lamp accompanied by other dignitaries marking the inauguration of the District Conference. He administers the oath of office to Ym Louis Paulose’s jumbo cabinet.
TRANSFER OF ONUS: Incumbent DG Ym C.A. Joseph hands over the collar and gavel to Ym Louis Paulose. The new DG delivers his acceptance speech
GREETINGS: RD Ym Jacob Varghese, RDE Ym N. Ramesh, LRD Ym M.J. Mathews, LRD-E Ym Aby Abraham and PP Ym Peter George offer felicitations
Announcement Y’s Men Bangalore District II EDUCATION PROGRAMME in collaboration with
HINDUSTAN ACADEMY - BANGALORE The Academy has set apart six seats in its three-year Diploma programmes in select disciplines to be offered to the most needy students and has invited the constituent clubs of District II to recommend and sponsor such students for admission. The value of each scholarship offered by the Academy is Rs. 100,000 for the entire course. Clubs are to support/sponsor other expenses such as uniform, books and transportation of the sponsored candidate. The DG has institutionalised this into District Programme and is in talks with club leaders to adopt and support needy students. Y’s Men’s Club of Metro has club has hitherto recommended four students this year. The two remaining seats must be filled up by 20 August and clubs are requested to identify needy students and consider this as part of their community service. For details, please get in touch with the District Secretary Ym Raju PU. Edited and published by Ym Koshy Mathew (koshym@gmail.com / 98450-36147) for Bangalore District II of South India Region of Y’s Men International India Area. Printed at National Printing Press, Bangalore. For private circulation only.