Dear member,

Greetings from Youth Hostels Association of India (YHAI).

Youth Hostels Association of India is one of the leading voluntary organisations and is one of the approved organisations for scheme for promotion of adventure sports and similar activities amongst Government employees by Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions. It has a chain of 24 State Branches and more than 250 Units in all over the country. YHAI is a membership based organisation and having more than 1.4 lacs life members and around 40000 annual, bi-annual members and more than 250+ institutional members. YHAI is affiliated to Hostelling International which is having 89 member countries and having 4000 Youth Hostels all over the world. YHAI is organising adventure activities all over the country and 20000+ participants from all corners of life are participating in our programmes every year. It has four own Youth Hostels and more than 150 Licensee Youth Hostels across the country.

It has been promoting education-oriented eco-tourism by conducting various adventure programmes in different parts of the country. A large number of adventure seeking youth from all parts of country have been participating in it. Apart from catering to the requirement of adventure loving youth it promotes the economic prosperity of the region. The Association conducts these programmes on non-commercial basis solely with the aim of inculcating a sense of adventure among the youth and also to expose the urban youth to the nature. In this way they are acquainted with the countryside as well as to the culture of the region.

YHAI is organising trekking, Mountaineering, Rock-Climbing, Cycling and Family Camping in Kullu Manali from April to June every year. In these programmes only, almost 7000 plus participants take part from different regions of the country. It is an amalgamation of Indian culture and gives impression of mini India.

YHAI is also associated with Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports since decades and working for the upliftment of the youth of the country. We would further like to apprise you that the following recognition is also granted by the Central and State Governments for fulfilling our mission and vision:

   Youth Hostel of Government of India at State Capital is having one representative of Youth Hostels Association of India in its Hostel Management Committee and YHAI is also receiving letters from the Hostels for attending the meeting.

   These Government Youth Hostels are enrolling YHAI members in their Hostels.

   The Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions is granting special casual leave to Government employees participating in Trekking Expeditions organised by Youth Hostels Association of India (Attached as Annexure "B").

   The Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions recognised YHAI Adventure activities and has included YHAI activities in the list of approved institutes/organisations for scheme for promotion of adventure sports and similar activities amongst Government employees.

   Many State Governments are providing discounts in forest entry fee and also in the hostels of the State Tourism departments.

   U.P., Karnataka and Madhya Pradesh State Governments are also providing special Casual Leave to their Employees to participating in YHAI Adventure activities.

YHAI is working for the youth and its members are mostly travelling around the year to explore India and avail the facility of Youth Hostels at affordable and budged rates. We are pleased that you just joined the Tourism department as Director also keeps interest in YHAI activities. Here in Jharkhand we are promoting YHAI activities which includes State adventure programmes, Participation of state youth in National adventure and other programmes besides other activities related to youth.

With regards,

Dr Nitin Madan Kulkarni, IAS

State President