An intercollegiate oratorical contest was held on Saturday the 25th January 2003 at 3.00 p.m. at the YMCA under the auspices of YMCA Royapettah Toast Masters Club. The competition started with an invocation prayer by Mr. A. David Raj. The welcome address was given by Mr. A. Narayanan, President, Toast Masters Club. About 12 colleges from the city of Madras participated. 

The MOP Vaishnav College for Women won the First & Second Prizes as well as the Rolling Shield. Ms. Aiswarya Rao (First Prize), Ms. SreeLakshmi (Second Prize). Prizes were distributed by Mr. K.S. Balasubramanian of the Toast Masters Club. Participation certificates were distributed to all the participants. M. Jeevakumar, Secretary, YMCA Royapettah proposed the vote of thanks.

Prize winners and Guests    

Our annual concentrated effort to enroll Members was inaugurated on Wednesday, 29th January 2003 at YMCA Vepery by Mr. Pradeep V. Philip, I.P.S., DIG Intelligence, Govt. of Tamilnadu.
Mr. J.S. Jeyakardoss,President, welcomed the gathering. Mr. V. Arulkumar, Regional Chief, HUDCO, Campaign Commissioner, announced that the target for this year’s Campaign would be Rs. 40. Lakhs. Mr.Pradeep V. Philip, I.P.S., in his inaugural speech appreciated the various services rendered by the YMCA and encouraged all the Campaigners to work irrationally to achieve the target rationally. Dr. G. Ebinesan, General Secretary, YMCA Madras, presented the Campaign rules and it was accepted by all. Earlier Bro. John Joseph, Former President, Member of the Board, YMCA Madras, introduced the Chief Guest and Dr.G. Ebinesan, General Secretary, YMCA Madras, Introduced the Campaign Commissioner. The Branch Secretaries introduced their Deputy Commissioners and Campaigners. Vepery YMCA hall was packed with Campaigners from all the Branches. Mr. N.C. Williams, Hon. Treasurer, highlighted some of the major projects that would come up during this year for the benefit of the members at YMCA Royapettah and YMCA Vepery and proposed the vote of thanks.

Mr.Pradeep V.Philip inaugurated the

Membership Campaign by introducing

First Life Member of this year

Mrs.Cathrine Dhinakardoss.

Also seen in the picture are Mr.ArunKumar,

Campaign Commissioner and

Dr.G.Ebinesan,General Secretary

The Young and energetic team under the dynamic leadership of Mrs. Phil
Wisdom landed in Madras on 4th January 2003. The members of the spirited group
comprised of Ms. Phil Wisdom, Eve, Kevin, Ben, Philip, Susan, Rob, Cathy, Dayle and
Isaac. Soon after landing, they got down to business, by visiting Boys' Town, Kottivakkam and initiated their programme with a meeting headed by the President, Chairman and the Project Officer and the team to scrutinize some vital project presented to the team to consider financial help.

                                   Ms.Eve enjoying her work at the Boys Town

Some of the Projects which were approved and financed are, the elevating and formatting of roads near destitute home to overcome the water problem faced during rain. Construction of Rain Water harvesting tank to overcome water stagnation, demolition of old Water Tank which was in highly dilapidated condition and to replace with a new Syntex tank, Replacement of electrical lights and fans for destitute home and Chapel, Renovation of Sewage Tank in hostel, Renovation of Lockers at Destitute Home, Fixing of new mosquito net at Destitute home, Partition of Carpentry section for usage of Class room, dining tables for home etc. These Projects were graciously accepted and work is almost nearing completion.

Mrs. & Mr.Rob and Ms.Phil Wisdom in action