YMCA

TOWARDS CULTURAL DEVELOPMENT
Early days
Before Independence Cultural forum meetings were held every Friday. Boys' Division work was responsible for organizing cultural events and recreational activities. Members' Nights, Guest Nights and Servants' Nights were regular events at the Y. A members' monthly magazine "Delhi Young Men" was a publication to report on New Delhi YMCA's cultural activities. Periodically organized after dinner musical evenings in Old Hostel were to keep inmates occupied.

In 1948 the New Delhi YMCA had organized Independence Day Mela on the first Independence Day anniversary. All denominations of Churches participated with great enthusiasm. General K M Cariappa, Commander in-chief was Patron and Sardar Bahadur Sir Sobha Singh presided over the organizing committee of the three-day carnival.

In Late 60s the New Delhi YMCA had started a series of programmes called the "Glimpses of India". The above programme was organized with the help of people coming from different States, with a view of sharing the culture typical of their States through music and dance. First of the series was the "Glimpses of Gujarat" which was held on 21st April. Later a series of such programmes included evenings on the Rajasthan, West Bengal Maharashtra, Mysore and Assam culture.

Yuv-Anjuman

For the firs time, the New Delhi YMCA brought together 291 youths from Indian YMCAs, colleges, institutions from all over the country to participate in Yuv-Anjuman, a national-level Youth Festival from 20 to 29 October 1985. The young people participated in music, painting, creative arts and crafts, public speaking, poetry and quiz contests. Mrs Margaret Alva, Minister for Sports, Youth Affairs & Women's Welfare was the Chief Guest at the valedictory function. The National youth Festival was a big success .The second YMCA National youth Festival Yuv-Anjuman was held in 1990, from 24 to 27 November, with 630 participants from 94 institutions and 12 States.

Yuv-Utsav

In 1992 a unique programme called Yuv-Utsav was introduced to bring children from the under-privileged colonies of society to a colourful three day Utsav. More than 200 children in the age group of 6-18 years, participated with great enthusiasm in competitions comprising Dramatics, Dances, Poetry, Painting, Quiz, etc. Since then it has become an annual feature.

Tribal Festival

As part of its ongoing multi disciplinary strategy to enrich and strengthen India's national fabric, the New Delhi YMCA organizes annually a daylong festival to provide glimpses of the indigenous and Tribal Culture in India. The first Tribal culture fest was held on 7th February 1993 with over 3000 tribals and urbanites witnessing the programme. Since then it has become an annual feature.

The main objective of such an endeavour is not only to create bonds and links of togetherness among the indigenous and tribal people who are residing in Delhi but also to promote the cultural talent of tribals and urbanites witnessing the programme. Since then it has become an annual feature.

Special annual events

Independence Day Celebration with under trials at Tihar Jail
Musical Concert performed by students of Y-School of Music
Christmas Concert performed by YMCA Choral Group
Honouring Christmas Students who excel in academics
Leadership camps, workshops, seminars and cultural shows.