Y’s Times BULLETIN OF Y’S MEN INTERNATIONAL INDIA AREA Vol. 1 No. 4 “To acknowledge the duty that accompanies every right”
From the Area President Dear Friends,
Y’Y’ss MEN INTERNA TIONAL INTERNATIONAL INDIA AREA 2010-11 Area President Ym Adv Philip Mathai Area Secretary Ym T. Thomas Area Treasurer Ym M. Isaac Area Bulletin Editor Ym K.C. Samuel Area Assistant Secretary Ym V.K. Joseph Area Assistant Treasurer Ym E. Jacob Kurian Associate Bulletin Editor Ym Koshy Mathew IP’s Theme
Once more we stand IP’s Slogan
Build a bridge to the future AP’s Theme
Be the light of the world AP’s slogan
Share our blessings in love
June 2011
While I bid adieu, my friends, as your Area President, I salute you for your cooperation love and affection and sincere support in all my activities to sustain and develop Y’sdom in Area India. In spite of the minor hiccups here and there, it was a period of hectic activities especially on the part of my Regional Directors, District Governors and the Club officials who did their best to preserve the values of Y’sdom. They proved their solidarity by elevating me to the topmost position in our movement. Hats off to all my friends in Y’sdom and my profound thanks to all who did their best in upholding the image of Indian Y’sdom. This year, as you know, my main stress was on membership conservation, community projects, International Projects and training of our members at all levels. By and large we could achieve creditable performance thanks to the untiring efforts of my RDs.
I am a student still and I am happy to learn than teach. It gives me a sense of satisfaction that my two important projects “Go-Green” and “Adoption of Poor but Brilliant Students” were well taken care of by our clubs all over the regions and both these projects turned out to be a great success. These projects were adopted for the future generations and I hope and pray my successors will continue these or other such projects to sustain our mother earth and equip the young ones to earn a decent livelihood. The love and affection shown to me during my term as Area President was overwhelming and I appeal to you for your whole-hearted support, cooperation and prayers during my tenure as International President. Please extend your whole-hearted support to my successor so that this movement may achieve greater glory to build a super image in our society. I commend all of you and your families to the grace of God. It is not on merit, but on God’s grace that we are what we are. A big thank you to all of you. With all good wishes for a meaningful and productive new Y’s year. Ym Adv. Philip Mathai Area President 2010-11
Editor’s Corner Y’s Movement Inspires Community Service There’s much to be learned from the Y’s movement that inspires community service in all its ramifications. It teaches life’s lessons by giving back to the community, building self-esteem and creating a proactive attitude towards many problems in the society. Y’s Men’s clubs in India have demonstrated their dedication and commitment to better the community at large through their selfless service. Many members have been active for years, and they are not strangers to helping others. It is time more Y’s Men invested a little more time and energy into making our community a better place to live in. For example, society benefits immensely from children who are taught at a young age to be conscious of their surroundings and to assist others who are less fortunate. The success of our AP’s twin theme – Go-Green and Adoption of students – has not only been widely appreciated nation-wide but also internationally. Kudos to Ym Philip Mathai for his creditable performance. It has been my honour to be the editor of the area bulletin in the last one year. It was a task entrusted to me by the AP and his team. I also thank all those who made my task easy, especially my associate, Ym Koshy Mathew. Ym K.C. Samuel Area Bulletin Editor
Y’s Times
Saving forests requires a change in lifestyle Environmental Declaration of IC2010 “We recognize the real threat to life due to the changing environment and limited availability of resources. All members are encouraged to help minimize the impact through their behavior and actions. Y’s Men International will be carbon neutral from 2010-11.” The above is the declaration agreed to by the participants at the Yokohama International Convention in 2010. The declaration states that Y’s Men International will take responsibility for the greenhouse gas emissions created by the travel of our leaders. The declartion calls for a change in our lifestyle. It was with this intention that the Area adopted the “Go Green” project and exhorted all members to think green. Over the last one year several clubs have embarked on planting saplings in schools, collegeFs and other locations, reports of some of them were carried in a previous issue of Y’s Times. This issue carries a couple of more project news, which escaped our attention ealrier. We also carry below an article that edifies us a little more on the benefits of greening our mind in this month of the World Environment Day, which was observed on June 5 worldwide. The UN has declared 2011 as the “Year of the Forest.” This article is abstracted from the UNEP website.
Editor If you ever wondered how it would be possible for you to save an entire forest then look no further than making simple lifestyle changes. Forests play multiple roles in our lives, including providing a source of livelihood, refuge for many species, and clean air for all. As a result of the growing global pollution levels forests have often come to be referred to as the ‘lungs of the earth’. This is particularly because deforestation and forest degradation account for nearly 20% of global greenhouse gas emissions, which forests would absorb if carefully managed.
Benefits of forests As a resource, forests provide many important natural resources, such as timber, fuel, rubber, paper and medicinal plants. Forests also help sustain the quality and availability of freshwater supplies. More than three quarters of the world’s accessible freshwater comes from forested catchments. Water quality declines with decreases in forest condition and cover, and natural hazards such as floods, landslides, and soil erosion have larger impacts. Climate change mitigation: It’s Page 2
Indigenous peoples, whilst contributing to the livelihoods of 1.6 billion people worldwide. Products and biodiversity: The impact of forests reaches even further. In many developing countries more than 80% of total energy consumed by people and industry derives from forests, such as fuel wood and charcoal. Trade in timber and other forest products, is estimated at almost 330 billion US Dollars a year. Use of the genetic diversity within forests enables the development of new medicines; progress in healthcare and science.
The numbers Forests cover 31% of total land area while at the same time supporting 80% of terrestrial biodiversity that live in them. Many of the world’s most threatened and endangered animals live in these forests, making them crucial to sustaining ecosystems. Not only animals live in the forests, as they also provide a home to more than 300 million people worldwide.
Rather shockingly, 36 million acres of natural forest are lost each year. Preserving forests throughout the world has to be in our collective consciousness so as to change our lifestyles.
What can be done Civil society can play a significant role by independently monitoring all parties involved, raising awareness on forests and supporting grassroots initiatives. Individuals can make wise premeditated choices over what products they will buy and only purchasing forest products that originate from sustainable sources. This means checking that furniture, wood, paper and other products you buy are verified as coming from legal sources. Most importantly, taking action on forests requires an ongoing commitment to changing lifestyle and therefore is not a one-off action. Your new lifestyle demands that you are forest-conscious in all your choices, consumption and actions.
“Go Green” Project
well known that forests play a key role in our battle against climate change; storing carbon and sucking in carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and locking it into their biomass. Products / benefits (water): But what’s less well known is that the products and services they provide are essential to every aspect of life. By regulating water for many of the world’s rivers, they help secure water quality, and supply nearly half of the world’s largest cities. They also help decrease the impacts of storms and floods, whilst helping control erosion. Biodiversity: As the most biologically diverse ecosystems on land, forests are home to more than half of terrestrial species, from the great apes to the smallest of creatures. Economics and livelihoods: They also provide homes, security and livelihoods for 60 million
LAUNCH OF PROJECT “GO GREEN”: PIP Ym Dr. Sukumaran inaugurated the project at the last Area Convention by handing over saplings to the five Regional Directors. It is reliably learnt that, since then, Y’s men have planted over
250,000 saplings in various parts of the country as part of the project.
Members of the YMC of Coonoor plant saplings in the city led by PRD Ym Subbu Rajubettan and Club President Ym Muruganandam.
Members of the YMC of WellingtonNilgiris just prior to the inauguration of the distribution of 10,000 saplings in the Niligiris area
Y’s Times
Transition
From the Clubs
SOUTH WEST INDIA REGION: AP Ym Philip Mathai installing Ym V.S. Radhakrishnan as the Regional Director for 2011-12 during the Regional Convention held at Kollam on 11th and 12th June 2011. He offers his greetings to the new RD (R)
Transition in Other Regions SOUTH INDIA REGION: Ym N. Ramesh of South Central District was installed RD at the Regional Convention held in Madurai on 11th and 12th June by AP-E Ym Isaac Palathinkal. He takes over from Ym Jacob Varghese. CENTRAL INDIA REGION: Yw Lakshmi handed over charge to Ym B.V. Narayana Rao of Hyderabd, who was installed RD by APEYm Isaac Palathinkal during the Regional Convention held at Hyderabad on 4th June 2011. MID WEST INDIA REGION: The new Regional Team under the leadership of Regional Director Ym. Adv. Jose Valothil was installed on 15th May 2011 at a colorful event held at the IMA House, Ernakulam. He takes over from Ym V.A. Thankachen. WEST INDIA REGION: RD Adv Michael handed over charge to Ym Pilson Louis who was installed Regional Director for 2011-12 during the Regional Convention held at Irinjalakuda on 4th and 5th June 2011. With this all Regions have completed the transition process and are ready to commence the new year’s activities soon after the Area Convention. We wish all incoming RDs a fruitful year.
Transition in Districts We also have information that trasition has taken place in almost all the 45 Districts that lie across the five Regions of India Area. We have a few pictures that we reproduce here.
Ym C.A. Joseph hands over the gavel to Ym Louis Palulose after he was installed DG of Bangalore District II
A PROUD SON RETURNS: AP and IP-E Ym Philip Mathai speaks on the occasion of the 40th anniversary of his first home club of three decades ago in the last week of May 2011. Seen on stage are (from L to R): Ymt Elizabeth Philip, DG Ym Abraham, Club President Ym George Philip, LRD Dr. T.G. Varghese and ISD Ym T.M.Jose
Free Training in Computers and Tailoring
Y’s Men’s Club of Vijayawada Town offers free training in computers and tailoring for economically sections. AP-E Ym Isaac Palathinkal inaugurated the 15th batch for free computer coaching on 9th January 2011 at the club office. The club has been allowed to house its free coaching centre for both computer and tailoring on the first and second floors of Gayathri Seva Samithi from February 2008 free of charges.
Y’s Spell “Lings” 2011 The Y’s Men’s Club of Cochin West conducted a spelling competition for school students at Hotel Abad, Cochin on 28th January 2011. There were written rounds to select
the 16 quarter finalists followed by oral rounds. Cash were awarded to the champion and for runnersup. The C.K. Joseph Memorial Ever Rolling Trophy was Sacred Heart CMI School, Thevara.
Ym Dr. P.J. Anoop congratulates Ym Velusaami after handing over his collar to be DG of West District (SIR)
BF Delegates from Australia
Newly-installed DG of Madras District, Ym Prof. C. Robin, who took over from Ym CP Premkumar (on his left) with his cabinet colleagues.
IPDG of District I of Mid West India Region Ym M.K. Ajith gives a warm hug to newly-installed DG Ym Jojo C. Joseph of Cochin West Club
BF Delegates Ym Russel Jones and Yw Jennifer Jones from the Y’s Service Club of Adelaide, Australia arrived India on 5 June. They spent four days in the garden city before proceeding to Madurai and Kollam to attend the Regional Conventions of SIR and SWIR on 11 and 12 June, respectively. They are scheduled to travel all the way up to Kannur before ariving in Cochin to attend the Area Convention. They will fly out of Cochin on 27 June 2011. We hope they have had a fruitful time in India. Page 3
Y’s Times
Snapshots from the Area Council Meeting at Chennai, 03 April 2011
Pledging loyalty to the nation
The AP offering his opening remarks
AP-E Ym Palthinkal and members paying respects to late RD Ym Narayanaswamy
Y’s Men’s Club of Mylapore and Madras District of South India Region greeting Y’s leaders PIP Ym Bashir, AP-E Ym Palathinkal, and ICM Ym M.K. Babu
PIP Ym Bashir releasing the bulletin on the request of ABE Ym KC Samuel and Associate ABE Ym Koshy Mathew. ICM Ym Anto offering his remarks to a rapt audience
RDs Ym Radhakrishnan (SWIR), Ym Thankachen (MWIR), Ym Jacob Varghese (SIR) and Ym Michael (WIR) briefing the Area Council of their activities
ISDs Ym AT George and Ym TM Jose and ASDs T.S. Varghese and Ym SS Tyagarajan apprise the Council of various activities under their portfolios
CONGRATS: South India Region honours those recently-elected to the international level. From left to right: RD Ym Anand Jacob Varghese presents International President-Elect Ym Philip Mathai with a citation after crowning him with the Mysore peta; Ymt Panchi Jose greets ICM-Elect Yw Susy Mathew; Madras DG Ym CP Premkumar greets ICM-E Ym Rabi Panigrahi, and Ym PRD Ym Jose Mani greets ICM-E Ym Dr. K.G. Varghese (All pictures on this page and of the installations of RDs of SWIR and MIR on page 3 are by Ym P.A. Mathews [a.k.a. Joy Punthala], Adoor) 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.
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