33RD ANNUAL REGIONAL COUNCIL MEET OF YMCA-NEIR 2023
The 33rd Annual Regional Council Meet of the Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA), North East India Region was held under the theme ‘Leadership and Responsibility’ from 15th to 17th June 2023 at Livingstone Foundation International, Dimapur with Er. K. Lalsawmvela, Hony. General Secretary, Aizawl YMCA and Chairman, Regional Millenium Building Project, NEIR as the Guest of Honour and Mr. Geoffrey Yaden, Advisor, YMCA and Proprietor cum Chief Editor of Nagaland Post as the Special Guest. Though the Chairman, Regional Committee, YMCA-NEIR, Dr. R. Lalthangliana Thangtea who is also the Hon’ble Minister for Health & Family, Higher & Technical Education and Industries & Commerce, Govt. of Mizoram, could not attend the programme due to unavoidable circumstances, he sent his greetings and best wishes for the success of the Regional Meet.
The meet was hosted by YMCA Nagaland under the stewardship of its President, Dr. Andrew Ahoto Sema, who is also the Vice President of the North East India Regional Committee of YMCA and also the Co-opted National Board Member of the National Council of YMCAs. Young delegates from various YMCAs including Aizawl, Shillong, Dimapur, Nongtalang and Shangpung attended the meet where they were imparted with trainings on leadership and other key elements of YMCA and Y’s Men International. The Resource Persons on the occasion included Mr. A. L. Pariat, Regional Treasurer, NEIR, Ysm. Roshan J. Chirayath, Regional Director, Central India Regional Y’s Men International, Ysm. Wu Haan Choo David, Regional Director, North East, North East India Region, Y’s Men International, Mr. Joe RZ Thanga, Jt. Secretary, Aizawl YMCA, Regional Committee Member & National Board Member, National Council of YMCAs of India and Mrs. Ani Yepthomi, Director, Livingstone Foundation International.
The three day meet was attended by a host of other dignitaries including Mr. F. Rymbui, President, YMCA Nongtalang & Regional Committee Member, Mr. Shamir J. Thabah, Regional Secretary, NEIR, Miss. Palvidora Kharkongor, Chairperson, Women Forum, Regional Committee Member and Rev. C. Khonglah, Board Member, Jowai City YMCA.
Giving the key note address during the Inaugural Function of the Regional Meet on 15th of June 2023, the Guest of Honour, Er. K. Lalsawmvela touched on the key aspects of ‘leadership and responsibility’ especially in the context of Christian stewardship. He also highlighted the chief qualities that a good leader should possess which includes ‘Being a Provider’, ‘Protection and Security’, ‘Guidance and Direction’ and ‘Motivation and Encouragement’. The Welcome Address was delivered by Dr. Andrew Ahoto Sema, while a short speech was delivered by Mr. Geoffrey Yaden, Advisor who spoke in brief about the progress and growth of YMCA Nagaland and lauded the efforts and dedication of the President, YMCA Nagaland, in bringing about monumental changes in the field of YMCA, especially in Nagaland. The exhortation speech on the occasion was delivered by Mr. Joe RZ Thanga. Earlier, the invocation prayer was pronounced by Ms. Zhimoholi S. Zhimomi, Chaplain, LFI while a Special Number was presented by Mr. Gideon Sangma, Worship Leader, LFI. The inaugural function concluded with the Vote of Thanks proposed by Mr. Shamir J. Thabah.
The other highlights of the three-day event included training sessions on ‘Peace from Brokenness’, ‘Leadership and YMCA’ and ‘YMCA & Y’s Men relation in community building’, Regional Committee Members’ Meeting, Report Presentation by different YMCAs and Cultural Programmes. During the event the Regional Director, Central India Region, Y’s Men International also installed Dr. Andrew Ahoto Sema as the District Governor of District-3 (North East India Region), Y’s Men International and Mr. Sanjeev Momin as District Secretary.
