Chairmans Message
Dear Young Indians,
You are probably aware that YI was born out of a Himalayan adventure that brought a group of likeminded people together. As the young team faced nature’s challenges, they also discovered the power of ideating over campfires, brainstorming in rapids and coming up with solutions while actually living an experience! It set them thinking on how to realize the potential of young Indians and how to harness their power for the nation’s development; and thus was born YI.
Thereafter YI retreats became an annual event designed to break the barriers of body, mind and soul so that the YI leadership could imagine, dream, be inspired, make new pals, get bonded with each other and make the foundation deeper and stronger.
Our Guwahati and Indore Chapters in 2011 on “Truth about Tigers” and “Truth about Rhinos” were not only successful retreats but added to informed decision making on YI’s role in conserving the Tiger and Rhino population of our nation.
This year I am working with Chapter Chairs of Ahmedabad, Coimbatore, Kohima and Srinagar to host a series of retreats in offbeat locations in their respective states to bring alive the stunning multi level diversity of India. Under the guidance of subject matter experts, you will be exposed to issues concerning India’s nature, culture and geo-politics. We have made sure that each retreat will deliver a smashing good time with dramatic mind opening events awaiting your arrival! Most importantly you will bring back answers to several critical issues facing our country including: Is our Lion population healthy? What’s preventing UNDP from declaring Western Ghats as a World Heritage Site? Who are Naga’s, and how can we integrate them? And, how is geo-politics affecting the nature and culture of the Himalayan frontiers - the borderland of India, Pakistan and Tibet?
Mahesh, our Retreat Chair and Anupama, our Vice Chair and I are working on co-creating a framework to position YI Retreats as flagship events for members to bond, explore our country, engage in national issues and bring back experiences to strengthen our leadership capabilities. Yes, there are many more retreats in the years to come.
Shankar Vanavarayar
Chairman