President to inaugurate 150-year celebrations of YMCA

New Delhi, Sep 26 (UNI) The 150th year celebrations of the Young Men Christian Association (YMCA) will be inaugurated by President Pratibha Patil here on Friday.

Being hosted by YMCA, New Delhi, which has carved out a unique niche in the Capital city through its multifarious programmes, projects and activities covering a broad spectrum, the 150-year celebrations will be attended by YMCA leaders from across the world.

Addressing a press conference in the Capital, YMCA General Secretary Joy Benjamin said the three-day event, which also marked completion of 80 years of its existence on Indian soil by the New Delhi center, would be attended by the president of the World Alliance of the YMCAs Martin Meizner, Deputy-President Samuel D Stephens, former president K M Philip, General Secretary, Asia and Pacific Alliance Yip Kok Choong and representatives of the YMCA movements of North America, Europe and Asia.

A song, dance and music show will be staged to mark the special occasion. The musical, with a cast of 100 comprising mainly students from various institutes of YMCA, will provide a glimpse into the inception of the YMCA movement at London in 1844 and will tell the story of its glorious history in India.

The celebrations would also focus on future strategies to make the YMCA socially relevant, operationally effective and responsive to the challenges faced by the society.

''A major deliberation during the conference would be our vision for the year 2020,'' Mr Benjamin said.

National Council of the YMCA General Secretary T Thomas, members of Prasar Bharati Board and Treasurer of YMCA, New Delhi George Verghese and prominent Anglo Indian leader G DCosta were also present at the press conference.

UNI