CENTENARY CELEBRATION OF YOUTH HOSTELLING INTERNATIONAL & 60TH ANNIVERSARY OF YHA OF INDIA

The Theme of 'Centenary Celebrations of Youth Hostelling International & 60th Anniversary of YHAI of India' is 'Youth Hostelling for Peace & International Understanding' – a concept propagated by Dr. Harish K Saxena – National Chairman, Youth Hostels Association of India & Past President, International Youth Hostel Federation.

In Youth Hostel programmes, you are able to encounter people of different cultures, backgrounds, and experiences. Young participants and volunteers meet together from all parts of the world, regardless of region, race or religion. The friendships thus established makes a significant contribution to peace & international understanding as they are able to understand and appreciate different cultures & practices. It builds a healthy environment which promotes the tolerance and respect for everyone's right to peace and security, thereby reducing the intolerance.

A)  Height of Adventure

1. NATIONAL MOUNTAIN BIKING EXPEDITION:100 cyclists will undertake about 600 kms with world’s most hazardous and difficult terrain on Mountain Bikes starting from 19th August, 09 from Kullu – Manali to Leh – Khardung La..  They will cover this distance in 16 days climbing Rohtang Pass (13,051 ft. ht.) (3978mtr.), Bara Lacha Pass (16,040 ft. ht.) (4890 mtr), Lachung La Pass ( 16,600 ft. ht.) (5059 mtr.)   and Tanglang La Pass ( 17,582 ft.ht.) (5359 mtr.) and finally to Khardung La Pass (5,602 m) (18,380 feet) via Leh (Laddakh).
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2. NATIONAL MOTORCYCLE EXPEDITION:100 Motor Cyclists will also start from Delhi Youth Hostel covering the above passes and also reaching Khardung La Pass (18,380 ft. ht.) (5602 mtr.), the highest motorable road of the world via Kullu, Manali & Leh.  They will return back to Delhi via Kargil, Drass, Kashmir & Jammu.
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These two programmes involve a high degree of planning and execution with the help of number of volunteers.  Adequate safety precautions and medical assistance like Doctors, Ambulances and Oxygen Cylinders will be available. 

B) Environmental Protection Programmes will be undertaken to

1. Keep Rohtang Pass Clean – A drive to keep a popular but treacherous tourist destination clean.
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2. Keep Dal Lake Clean – A drive to keep a popular but deteriorating sweet water lake of Kashmir clean.
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C) Eco Friendly Trekking Programmes

Which also involve propagating love & care for animals &  nature will be undertaken.  These programmes are:

1. National Bullock Cart Trekking Expedition   View Details
2. National Elephant Trekking Expedition   View Details
3. National Horse Trekking Expedition   View Details
4. National Camel Cart Trekking Expedition   View Details

D) Cave Exploration Expeditions

Two Cave Explorations programmes will be undertaken in Central and North East India to explore the possibility of finding new caves of the stone age or later.  A documentary compilation will also be undertaken of the existing caves in India. 
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E) 60th Anneversary of YHA of India Celebration:

This programme will be held in Mysore (Karnataka, India) from where the Youth Hostel movement started in 1949 in India.
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F) Centenary Celebration of Youth Hostelling International:

A gala programme will be held in New Delhi in the month of December 2009 to culminate the organization of different special events during the year.
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G) National Chairman's Tour Programme for promoting Youth Hostelling for Peace and International Understanding:

Dr. Harish K. Saxena, National chairman has decided to visit 4 countries as a backpacker to promote the philosophy of Youth Hostelling for Peace and Understanding.
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