Mysuru/Mysore: The 30th anniversary of Youth Hostels Association of India (YHAI), Gangothri Unit, will be held at Sarada Vilas Centenary Hall in Krishnamurthypuram at 5 pm tomorrow (Jan.19).

Former Conservator of Forests and Director of Project Tiger-Bandipur H.C. Kantharaju will be the chief guest. Dr. K.C. Prashanth, DCF, Mysuru, H. Janardhan, Deputy Director of Tourism and Chava Subba Rao, Secretary,YHAI Karnataka State Branch, will be the guests of honour. YHAI Gangothri Unit Chairman Y.N. Rajendra will preside over the event.

Star of Mysore Editor-in-Chief K.B. Ganapathy, special invitee, will inaugurate a Special Photography Exhibition, organised as part of the celebrations. YHAI National Chairman S.Venkat Narayanan,YHAI New Delhi, Chief Executive Officer Roopesh K. Pande, YHAI Karnataka State Branch former Chairman and ex-MLC D. Madegowda and Nirmala Rajashekar Koti are the other special invitees.

The 100th issue of ‘Charana Gangothri’ newsletter of YHAI Gangothri Unit will be released and a Power Point Presentation (PPT) on YHAI Gangothri will be presented on the occasion.

Prior and post inauguration, there will be cultural programmes — 3 pm to 4.30 pm and 7 pm to 8 pm.

About Youth Hostel Movement: International Youth Hostel Movement was initiated in 1909 in Altena, Germany, by German school teacher Richard Schirrmann. Then 40 years later, in 1949, for the first time in South Asia, some enthusiasts from Mysore, following the footsteps of Richard Schirrmann, started a Youth Hostel in Mysuru, which was later shifted to New Delhi in the year 1955. 

Inspired by the activities of New Delhi Youth Hostel Association, which promotes participation of young, youth and old in national-level adventure programmes and trekking events, a group of adventurous youths in Mysuru laid foundation for an organisation — Youth Hostel Gangothri Unit, Mysuru. 

YHAI Gangothri Unit was  affiliated to National Office, New Delhi, in 1988, with the main interest and aim to organise and promote activities like trekking, cycling, nature study camps for children, rock climbing and other adventurous sports.

The Gangothri Unit since then has indulged not only in organising adventurous activities but also in social activities such as tree planting, medical camps, eco-friendly activities, cleaning campaign, celebration of national festivals, Founders Day, cultural activities etc.

 The Unit has been regularly conducting more than 50 programmes each year and has been recognised as one of the most successful units in Karnataka. Gangothri Unit now has more than 1,600 active members, of which 40 % are ladies. Members range from 10 years to 80 years of age and are students of colleges, people serving in Private and Government sectors, Doctors, Engineers, Industrialists, Businessmen and from all other walks of life. Such enrolled members have been enjoying the weekend activities organised by the Unit. Gangothri Unit has been strictly following all the laid down rules and regulations of National YHAI Office, while organising its programmes by prohibiting smoking, consumption of non-vegetarian food and alcoholic drinks.

At present, Gangothri Unit has its Office at No. 907, 3rd Main Road, New Kantharaja Urs Road, Saraswathipuram, Mysuru. Office remains open between 6 pm and 8 pm every day, except on Sundays and public holidays. Office can be contacted on Ph: 0821-2341419 or e-mail:  yhaigu [email protected]