A timeless legacy honoured through thanksgiving, reflection, and a charge to the next generation of global citizens.
On Saturday, 6 June 2026, the historic halls of the YMCA Indian Student Hostel at 41 Fitzroy Square resonated with gratitude, music, and profound reflection as residents, students, and distinguished guests gathered to celebrate Founder’s Day. The Thanksgiving and Rededication Service marked 182 years since the inception of a global movement that continues to shape the lives of millions worldwide.
The event commenced with an elegant and warm welcome from Mr. Leonard Salins, the Chief Executive Officer and General Secretary of the Indian YMCA (Young Men’s Christian Association). In his opening address, Mr. Salins set a tone of humble stewardship, greeting the diverse gathering of international students and lifelong friends of the association who filled the hall to honour the legacy of Sir George Williams. On 6 June 1844, 22-year-old draper George Williams joined 11 friends to organise the first YMCA as a refuge from the hazards of London’s streets.
The service seamlessly blended solemnity with vibrant youth participation. Kevin, a resident student at the hostel, took to the podium to elegantly introduce the afternoon’s speakers. Demonstrating the rich creative and cultural talents cultivated within the residential community, two resident students subsequently enthralled the audience with moving renditions of devotional songs, beautifully grounding the celebration in the movement’s Christian roots.
The highlight of the afternoon was an inspiring keynote address delivered by Mr. Roy O’Shaughnessy, the National Chair of YMCA England & Wales. Traveling from his home in the historic city of York, Mr. O’Shaughnessy delivered a message tailored directly to the young minds in attendance. He spoke passionately about the dynamic and foundational role that youth play in sustaining the spirit of the organization, looking out at the rows of students and explicitly telling them that they are the future torchbearers tasked with carrying forward the YMCA’s global mission of service, inclusion, and community development.
The gathering also served as a meeting point for generations of leadership. Among the notable dignitaries in attendance was Mr. Jacob Abraham, the highly respected former Secretary of the Indian YMCA London, alongside numerous institutional friends and community leaders. The event concluded seamlessly with a vibrant high tea at 4:00 pm, providing a warm, interactive space for students and senior leadership to converse, share stories, and reinforce the enduring cross-cultural bonds that define the Fitzroy Square community.
The YMCA showcases the scale of the movement today, which serves over 65 million people across 120 countries regardless of age, race, gender, sexual orientation, or socio-economic background.
The Indian YMCA is a fully integrated part of the global YMCA movement.
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