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

Area PresidentArea PresidentArea PresidentArea PresidentArea PresidentYm Adv Philip Mathai

Area SecretaryArea SecretaryArea SecretaryArea SecretaryArea SecretaryYm T. Thomas

Area TreasurerArea TreasurerArea TreasurerArea TreasurerArea TreasurerYm M. Isaac

Area Bulletin EditorArea Bulletin EditorArea Bulletin EditorArea Bulletin EditorArea Bulletin EditorYm K.C. Samuel

Area Assistant SecretaryArea Assistant SecretaryArea Assistant SecretaryArea Assistant SecretaryArea Assistant SecretaryYm V.K. Joseph

Area Assistant TreasurerArea Assistant TreasurerArea Assistant TreasurerArea Assistant TreasurerArea Assistant TreasurerYm E. Jacob Kurian

Associate Bulletin EditorAssociate Bulletin EditorAssociate Bulletin EditorAssociate Bulletin EditorAssociate Bulletin EditorYm Koshy Mathew

Y’Y’Y’Y’Y’s MENs MENs MENs MENs MENINTERNAINTERNAINTERNAINTERNAINTERNATIONALTIONALTIONALTIONALTIONALINDIA INDIA INDIA INDIA INDIA AREAAREAAREAAREAAREA2010-112010-112010-112010-112010-11

“To acknowledge the duty thataccompanies every right”

IP’s ThemeIP’s ThemeIP’s ThemeIP’s ThemeIP’s Theme

Once more we stand

IP’s SloganIP’s SloganIP’s SloganIP’s SloganIP’s Slogan

Build a bridge to the future

AP’s ThemeAP’s ThemeAP’s ThemeAP’s ThemeAP’s Theme

Be the light of the world

AP’s sloganAP’s sloganAP’s sloganAP’s sloganAP’s sloganShare our blessings in love

Y’s TimesBULLETIN OF Y’S MEN INTERNATIONAL

INDIA AREAVol. 1 No. 4 June 2011

Editor’s CornerEditor’s CornerEditor’s CornerEditor’s CornerEditor’s Corner

Dear Friends,

While I bid adieu, my friends, as your AreaPresident, I salute youfor your cooperationlove and affection andsincere support in allmy activities to sustainand develop Y’sdom inArea India. In spite ofthe minor hiccups hereand there, it was aperiod of hecticactivities especially onthe part of myRegional Directors,

District Governors and the Club officials whodid their best to preserve the values of Y’sdom.They proved their solidarity by elevating me tothe topmost position in our movement. Hats offto all my friends in Y’sdom and my profoundthanks to all who did their best in upholdingthe image of Indian Y’sdom.

This year, as you know, my main stress was onmembership conservation, community projects,International Projects and training of ourmembers at all levels. By and large we could achievecreditable performance thanks to the untiringefforts of my RDs.

I am a student still and I am happy to learn thanteach. It gives me a sense of satisfaction that mytwo important projects “Go-Green” and“Adoption of Poor but Brilliant Students” werewell taken care of by our clubs all over the regionsand both these projects turned out to be a greatsuccess. These projects were adopted for thefuture generations and I hope and pray mysuccessors will continue these or other suchprojects to sustain our mother earth and equipthe young ones to earn a decent livelihood.

The love and affection shown to me during myterm as Area President was overwhelming and Iappeal to you for your whole-hearted support,cooperation and prayers during my tenure asInternational President.

Please extend your whole-hearted support to mysuccessor so that this movement may achievegreater glory to build a super image in our society.

I commend all of you and your families to thegrace of God. It is not on merit, but on God’sgrace that we are what we are. A big thank you toall of you.

With all good wishes for a meaningful andproductive new Y’s year.

Ym Adv. Philip MathaiArea President 2010-11

Y’s Movement Inspires Community ServiceY’s Movement Inspires Community ServiceY’s Movement Inspires Community ServiceY’s Movement Inspires Community ServiceY’s Movement Inspires Community ServiceThere’s much to be learned from the Y’s movement that inspires communityservice in all its ramifications. It teaches life’s lessons by giving back to thecommunity, building self-esteem and creating a proactive attitude towards manyproblems in the society. Y’s Men’s clubs in India have demonstrated theirdedication and commitment to better the community at large through theirselfless service.Many members have been active for years, and they are not strangers to helping others. It is time moreY’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 consciousof 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 widelyappreciated nation-wide but also internationally. Kudos to Ym Philip Mathai for his creditableperformance.It has been my honour to be the editor of the area bulletin in the last one year. It was a task entrustedto 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. SamuelArea Bulletin Editor

Y’s Times

Page 2

Environmental Declaration of IC2010Environmental Declaration of IC2010Environmental Declaration of IC2010Environmental Declaration of IC2010Environmental Declaration of IC2010

“We recognize the real threat to life due to the changingenvironment and limited availability of resources. All membersare encouraged to help minimize the impact through theirbehavior and actions. Y’s Men International will be carbonneutral from 2010-11.”

The above is the declaration agreed to by the participants at the YokohamaInternational Convention in 2010. The declaration states that Y’s MenInternational will take responsibility for the greenhouse gas emissions createdby the travel of our leaders.

The declartion calls for a change in our lifestyle. It was with this intention that theArea adopted the “Go Green” project and exhorted all members to thinkgreen.

Over the last one year several clubs have embarked on planting saplings inschools, collegeFs and other locations, reports of some of them were carriedin a previous issue of Y’s Times. This issue carries a couple of more projectnews, which escaped our attention ealrier.

We also carry below an article that edifies us a little more on the benefits ofgreening our mind in this month of the World Environment Day, which wasobserved on June 5 worldwide. The UN has declared 2011 as the “Year ofthe Forest.” This article is abstracted from the UNEP website.

Editor

Saving forests requiresSaving forests requiresSaving forests requiresSaving forests requiresSaving forests requiresa change in lifestylea change in lifestylea change in lifestylea change in lifestylea change in lifestyle

“Go Green” Project“Go Green” Project“Go Green” Project“Go Green” Project“Go Green” Project

LAUNCH OF PROJECT “GO GREEN”: PIP Ym Dr. Sukumaran inaugurated theproject at the last Area Convention by handing over saplings to the five RegionalDirectors. It is reliably learnt that, since then, Y’s men have planted over250,000 saplings in various parts of the country as part of the project.

If you ever wondered how it wouldbe possible for you to save an entireforest then look no further thanmaking simple lifestyle changes.Forests play multiple roles in ourlives, including providing a sourceof livelihood, refuge for manyspecies, and clean air for all.

As a result of the growing globalpollution levels forests have oftencome to be referred to as the ‘lungsof the earth’. This is particularlybecause deforestation and forestdegradation account for nearly20% of global greenhouse gasemissions, which forests wouldabsorb if carefully managed.

Benefits of forestsAs a resource, forests provide manyimportant natural resources, suchas timber, fuel, rubber, paper andmedicinal plants. Forests also helpsustain the quality and availabilityof freshwater supplies. More thanthree quarters of the world’saccessible freshwater comes fromforested catchments. Waterquality declines with decreases inforest condition and cover, andnatural hazards such as floods,landslides, and soil erosion havelarger impacts.

Climate change mitigation: It’s

well known that forests play a keyrole in our battle against climatechange; storing carbon andsucking in carbon dioxide from theatmosphere and locking it intotheir biomass.

Products / benefits (water): Butwhat’s less well known is that theproducts and services they provideare essential to every aspect of life.By regulating water for many ofthe world’s rivers, they help securewater quality, and supply nearlyhalf of the world’s largest cities. They also help decrease theimpacts of storms and floods,whilst helping control erosion.

Biodiversity: As the mostbiologically diverse ecosystems onland, forests are home to morethan half of terrestrial species,from the great apes to the smallestof creatures.

Economics and livelihoods: Theyalso provide homes, security andlivelihoods for 60 million

Indigenous peoples, whilstcontributing to the livelihoods of1.6 billion people worldwide.

Products and biodiversity: Theimpact of forests reaches evenfurther. In many developingcountries more than 80% of totalenergy consumed by people andindustry derives from forests, suchas fuel wood and charcoal. Tradein timber and other forestproducts, is estimated at almost330 billion US Dollars a year. Useof the genetic diversity withinforests enables the development ofnew medicines; progress inhealthcare and science.

The numbers

Forests cover 31% of total landarea while at the same timesupporting 80% of terrestrialbiodiversity that live in them. Manyof the world’s most threatened andendangered animals live in theseforests, making them crucial tosustaining ecosystems. Not onlyanimals live in the forests, as theyalso provide a home to more than300 million people worldwide.

Rather shockingly, 36 millionacres of natural forest are lost eachyear. Preserving forests through-out the world has to be in ourcollective consciousness so as tochange our lifestyles.

What can be done

Civil society can play a significantrole by independently monitoringall parties involved, raisingawareness on forests andsupporting grassroots initiatives.

Individuals can make wisepremeditated choices over whatproducts they will buy and onlypurchasing forest products thatoriginate from sustainablesources. This means checking thatfurniture, wood, paper and otherproducts you buy are verified ascoming from legal sources.

Most importantly, taking action onforests requires an ongoingcommitment to changing lifestyleand therefore is not a one-offaction. Your new lifestyle demandsthat you are forest-conscious in allyour choices, consumption andactions.

Members of the YMC of Coonoor plantsaplings in the city led by PRD Ym

Subbu Rajubettan and Club PresidentYm Muruganandam.

Members of the YMC of Wellington-Nilgiris just prior to the inauguration of

the distribution of 10,000 saplings in theNiligiris area

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)

Y’s Times

Page 3

Transition in Other RegionsTransition in Other RegionsTransition in Other RegionsTransition in Other RegionsTransition in Other RegionsSOUTH INDIA REGION: Ym N. Ramesh of South Central Districtwas installed RD at the Regional Convention held in Madurai on11th and 12th June by AP-E Ym Isaac Palathinkal. He takes over fromYm Jacob Varghese.

CENTRAL INDIA REGION: Yw Lakshmi handed over charge toYm B.V. Narayana Rao of Hyderabd, who was installed RD by APE-Ym Isaac Palathinkal during the Regional Convention held atHyderabad on 4th June 2011.

MID WEST INDIA REGION: The new Regional Team under theleadership of Regional Director Ym. Adv. Jose Valothil was installed on15th 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 toYm Pilson Louis who was installed Regional Director for 2011-12during the Regional Convention held at Irinjalakuda on 4th and 5thJune 2011.

With this all Regions have completed the transition process and areready to commence the new year’s activities soon after the AreaConvention. We wish all incoming RDs a fruitful year.

Transition in DistrictsTransition in DistrictsTransition in DistrictsTransition in DistrictsTransition in DistrictsWe also have information that trasition has taken place in almost allthe 45 Districts that lie across the five Regions of India Area. We havea few pictures that we reproduce here.

TransitionTransitionTransitionTransitionTransition From the ClubsFrom the ClubsFrom the ClubsFrom the ClubsFrom the Clubs

BF Delegates from AustraliaBF Delegates Ym Russel Jones and Yw JenniferJones from the Y’s Service Club of Adelaide,Australia arrived India on 5 June. They spentfour days in the garden city before proceeding toMadurai and Kollam to attend the RegionalConventions of SIR and SWIR on 11 and 12June, respectively. They are scheduled to travel allthe way up to Kannur before ariving in Cochinto attend the Area Convention. They will fly outof Cochin on 27 June 2011. We hope they havehad a fruitful time in India.

Ym C.A. Joseph hands over the gavelto Ym Louis Palulose after he wasinstalled DG of Bangalore District II

Ym Dr. P.J. Anoop congratulates YmVelusaami after handing over his collar

to be DG of West District (SIR)

Newly-installed DG of Madras District,Ym Prof. C. Robin, who took over from

Ym CP Premkumar (on his left) withhis cabinet colleagues.

IPDG of District I of Mid West IndiaRegion Ym M.K. Ajith gives a warm

hug to newly-installed DG Ym Jojo C.Joseph of Cochin West Club

Y’s Spell “Lings” 2011

The Y’s Men’s Club of CochinWest conducted a spellingcompetition for school students atHotel Abad, Cochin on28th January 2011.There were written rounds to select

the 16 quarter finalists followed byoral rounds. Cash were awardedto the champion and for runners-up. The C.K. Joseph MemorialEver Rolling Trophy was SacredHeart CMI School, Thevara.

Free Training in Computers and Tailoring

Y’s Men’s Club of Vijayawada Town offers free training in computers and tailoring foreconomically sections. AP-E Ym Isaac Palathinkal inaugurated the 15th batch for freecomputer coaching on 9th January 2011 at the club office.The club has been allowed to house its free coaching centre for both computer andtailoring on the first and second floors of Gayathri Seva Samithi from February 2008 freeof charges.

A PROUD SON RETURNS: AP and IP-E Ym Philip Mathai speaks on the occasionof the 40th anniversary of his first home club of three decades ago in the last week ofMay 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

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

Snapshots from the Area Council Meeting at Chennai, 03 April 2011Snapshots from the Area Council Meeting at Chennai, 03 April 2011Snapshots from the Area Council Meeting at Chennai, 03 April 2011Snapshots from the Area Council Meeting at Chennai, 03 April 2011Snapshots from the Area Council Meeting at Chennai, 03 April 2011

The AP offering his opening remarksPledging loyalty to the nation 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

RDs Ym Radhakrishnan (SWIR), Ym Thankachen (MWIR), Ym Jacob Varghese (SIR) and Ym Michael (WIR) briefing the Area Council of their activities

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

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 InternationalPresident-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)