NYM-2 at Patna: Enriching, Exciting, Enjoyable
(A detailed report sent in by a delegate, with inputs from many.)
One hundred and sixty young people between
the ages of 16 and 35 from our branches across the country came together in
Patna on 18, 19 and 20 May to participate in the National Youth Meet (NYM-2)
organized by The All-India Anglo-Indian Association and sponsored by The
All-India Anglo-Indian Education Institution, Don Bosco Academy, St Dominic
Savio’s High School and other generous well-wishers. NYM-1 was held in Kolkata
last year was also a huge success.
We are seeing a resurgence of our
community through our youth and the President-in-Chief Mr Barry O’Brien has clearly
elaborated on his vision: he has personally directed all branches to initiate
an Anglo-Indian youth movement across India. Here are some highlights of the
event.
- The most gracious hosts for the event were the Patna and Danapur branches, and two wonderful schools. The accommodation for the delegates was arranged at Don Bosco Academy, while the events were held at St. Dominic Savio’s High School.
- It was wonderful to see participation from small branches such as Devlali-Nasik (including delegates from Igatpuri) and Villupuram-Pondicherry. Delegates also came from the Chennai branches (George Town, Pallavaram, St Thomas Mount, Vepery), Trichy, Trivandrum, Nagpur, Vizag, Hyderabad-Secunderabad, Pune, Mumbai, Jamshedpur, Bhubaneswar, plus a huge contingent from Calcutta (including FAPS’ students), and the host branches Danapur and Patna.
- The Meet was packed with exciting events and enriching sessions - career counselling, mock interviews, group discussions, football, basketball, swimming, chess, carroms, talent contests, beauty and personality contests, motivational sessions, and loads of fun every evening.
- Friday evening kicked off with the inauguration at which the Archbishop of Patna was the Chief Guest. The speakers included Mr Alfred Derozario, ex MLA and founder of Don Bosco Academy; Mr Glen Galstaun, MLA and co-founder of St Dominic Savio’s High School; Dr Oscar Nigli, ex MLA and Professor of Economics, and Mr Rudy Woodman, former General Manager, Tata Motors. This was followed by a rocking Meet-and Greet party.
- Saturday evening’s events wrapped up with an out-of-this world marathon pool side party and a Hawaiin Prince and Princess contest. On the final day things came to a close with a stunning fashion show choreographed by Mumbai Branch’s Graham Heiden, AIAIAY Mentor (Special Events) – the models were our very own youth! As many as 24 of them walked the ramp, oozing confidence and style to the beats of Made in India – the showstopper before the classy Grand Ball.
- Clive Vanbuerle of Bangalore conducted an excellent session on ‘next generation professional competencies and job skills’. How beautifully he entwined the competencies that HR heads look for, into the natural strengths of Anglo-Indians! ‘Interesting, incredible and highly informative’ – that’s what the session was, and that’s why the young embers of the audience were kept involved and engaged.
- The President-in-Chief Barry O’Brien conducted a wonderful session on improving the public speaking skills of the young delegates and the audience witnessed transformations happen right there on stage in front of their eyes – many nervous youngsters who were holding a mike for the very first time, were brushing aside their mental block and stage fright and expressing themselves like never before!
- The final day, Sunday, began with a celebration of Holy Mass. We then saw the President-in-Chief in yet another avatar – that of a seasoned anchor! He moderated a wonderful discussion on fighting the odds and being successful in one’s life. Glen Galstaun, MLA, renowned Tattoo Artist, Russell Vanbuerle, and Clive VanBuerle, Global Head of a large product technology company in Bangalore, were invited to share their life journeys during this session. It was truly heart-warming and inspiring.
- The Grand Ball actually wound up at 5 am in the morning! It was an amazing all-night party – young Anglo-Indians in gowns and suits, gliding and jiving as they danced the night away. Just like a fairy tale – only this was truly happening! Right there in the hall, as a handful of adults looked on – with great joy! And pride!
- Among the adults were their Mentors who had accompanied them all the way from ‘home’ – so sporting, so friendly, fun-loving, caring, committed and on-their-toes. So Anglo-Indian!
- During the final sum up and vote of thanks, the President-in-chief reiterated that the focus was to build on the youth momentum gained through NYM 1 (held last year in Kolkata) and NYM-2. He also declared Mr. Eric de Rozario as the AIAIA Youth President for 2018-19. The AIAIAY national committee comprises: Vice Presidents – Shaentelle (Hyderabad-Secunderabad), Allan Narcis (Nagpur); Renelle Rosemeyer (Agra); Secretary – Dominic Xavier (Jamshedpur); Additional Secretary - Katelyn Nazareth (Bangalore). Other members of the team will be announced in due course.
- The names of the Youth Mentors were also announced. They are: North - Adrian Michael of Lucknow; South – Clive Vanbuerle of Bangalore; East – Ingrid Rozario of Calcutta; West – Shayne Macpherson of Pune.
- The winners of the Branch of the Meet trophies were: Calcutta Branch and Devlali-Nasik (including Igatpuri); Certificates of Participation were presented to all delegates; Certificates of Excellence were presented to those who excelled; and glittering medals, sponsored by the Mumbai Branch, were presented to 20 outstanding delegates.
The Meet was amazing and such a wonderful opportunity to meet, network and make friends with Anglo-Indians from across the country and the youth members who participated in NYM-2 had an experience of a lifetime!
It was also amazing to hear and experience stories of sacrifices, about Anglo-Indian kids from less fortunate backgrounds and orphans taken care of by some of our schools. And there in the crowd of truly talented boys and girls, young men and women, were students pursuing an engineering degree or a PhD., national level boxers and basketball players, an MMA fighter who is a businessman, a chartered accountant, a publishing executive, self-employed go-getters, IT professionals, teachers, students...
Clive Vanbuerle was spot on when he said: “The Anglo-Indian youth at NYM-2 busted the myth that the community was dwindling. In fact, we are alive and winning! Most youth delegates were achievers and champions and represent the future of our great community!”
Thank you, President-in-Chief, Sir, and Governing Body Members for the opportunity and experience of a lifetime, and a very special ‘thank you’ to our sponsors, as well as the de Rozario and Galstaun families; the hosts St. Dominic Savio’s High School and Don Bosco Academy; and the Presidents (Eric de Rozario and Glenda Galstaun), Committees and members of the Danapur and Patna Branches.
Here’s looking forward to NYM-3. Where is it? When is it? Tell me, tell us…please, tell us!