I Remember of a small young boy several years ago who was always told because of his forgetfulness “you will surely forget your wife in the market place one day” I also recall of the same boy who had no dream or goals.
In one of the YCS/YSM Camps he was asked by a girl what books do you read? Not knowing what to say suddenly his father reading the book “James Hardly Chase” and up comes the reply “ I read the story book James Hardly Chase” and the girl who questioned laughs and says “ James Hardly Chase is not a story book it’s a novel.
Novel, the young boy stood shocked he does not know the difference between a story book and a novel.
Question..???
Yes it’s me James Sylvester
I also remember in another incident I was asked what is your goal in life? . Goal (I do not have nay) but in that age who will say no when all are saying I want to become so and so, so and so, I just closed my eyes dreamt, what I want to become and came the reply’ I want to become a lawyer, I want to manage people”. But in real life at that time I was not able to even talk to the girls nor was I able to speak for a few minutes on the stage. Big Dreams???
After so many years when I look back at my life, that young boy, who was not so bright in studies, who was always looked down as a simple and not so dynamic creature. Today what he is what a change.
Yes, it’s Me.
Today I have accomplished atleast a part of my dream. As soon as I completed my terms as National Team Member in 1986 I took up a job at the Krishna Oberoi Hotel as a personnel Assistant and in a span of seven years became the Personnel Manager of another hotel the Ramada Hotel Manohar, Yes as Personnel Manager I was incharge of taking care of people at work, be responsible and manage them (a part of my dream).
My other part of my dream to become a lawyer, I would like to inform that after my SSC I have done all my studies in the evening or through correspondence. While I was the National Team member I did my B.A through correspondence and while I was working at the Krishna oberoi and hotel viceroy I completed my diploma in Industrial Relations and Personal Management and also my LLB. Not satisfied with just working in the Hotel as a personal manager, I wanted to wear the Black gown. Yes that day also came in 1999 when I enrolled as an advocate. (My dream to become an advocate).
How did all this happen?
How did my life change?
I give all the credit to the YCS/YSM Movement.
YCS/YSM helped me to first of all THINK, to REFLECT.
I remember my animator telling us in one of our cell meetings “Keep your eyes open, You do not need a topic given by me to discuss, but if you keep your eyes open you will find so many topics around you to discuss and reflect”. Yes, my inspiration also was Sr. Jeanne Devos who I met for the first time in the Coonor Council in 1983 and she left a great image on my life.
My local situation and my surroundings helped me to reflect and to be an active agent of change. Seeing the change and development in me my family supported me very much. I remember in December 1983, I was to go to Madras to compile the report of the Coonor Council along with the National Team. To support myself and my family I used to do part-time job. On 5th of December 1983 at 10pm When I left for work and my family had gone for a movie, there was no one at home. And we do not know how, there was fire almost everything got burnt and destroyed. When my family came back from the movie they noticed everything the neighbours trying to put off the fire but no use, I reached back home the next morning to see nothing but burnt things. And the same day I was to leave for Madras. I decided not to go, but there my father said your are need there most, go we will manage and take care.
If there was no change in me which my family could witness, would my father have told me go for a YCS Meeting and say that is more important to you than this. My father knew me what I was developing in me, my personality, my approach, to myself and other, my involvement in my family, my relationship with the brothers and sisters, my neighbours and situations around me. Yes, I know my father noticed it, that is why in such a great disaster also he told me what my priority should be.
The movement has enabled me to enrich myself and to be an intimate part of my family. The change was reflected in my family and after me, my brother and sisters also became YCS/YSM members. My youngest sister Louisa Sylvester also became an active member of the National Team, she also attended the Asian Session held at Hong Kong.
In my parish and the Dioceses of Hyderabad, even today people know me as a YCS’er. Not Because of the activities that we did but because of the leadership YCS has given we were able to confront the evils that were going on in my parish.
When I was getting married my Archbishop asked me I hope you are marrying a YCS’er. Though I can’t call my wife a full YCS/YSMer but she also was a member for a very short period in Holy Family School, Secunderabad. Today, thanks to God and thanks to the YCS/YSM Movement I have a happy and healthy relationship with my wife and my in laws.
While In YCS/YSM we do a lot of activity, reflection, discussion because the atmosphere is such and also because we have an environment which helps us mould and be reflective and action oriented.
AFTER YCS/YSM WHAT? ARE WE ABLE TO LIVE AND CONTINUE THE WAY OF LIFE?
For me personally the YCS/YSM is in my blood, YCS/YSM has given me a new meaning for me, the new situation in my work place, the time when I am alone, the times when I am not recognized for all the services that I have done to the company, the cut throat competition atmosphere all around me, the struggle to earn money to sustain myself and my family. Many times in all these difficult situations we fail, YES, I also have fallen many at times but because of the continuity of the Review of Life in my life I am still able to sustain myself.
I do not bother or regret, about my failures, but I come out renewed and look for a new direction.
Today I am an active member of the Catholic Association of Hyderabad. I am the youngest person to hold the post of President of the Association, till now all senior or retired people held this post. I like to quote my Archbishop Dr. S. Arulappa who many time told the elder and older people, learn from James Sylvester, because he has trained through the methodology of YCSYSM movement he is trained to be a leader from the young age of 16.
Though I am very busy with my profession and my livelihood, still I cannot be quite, in my blood there is that spirit of YCS that never allows me to keep quite or not to respond. My free time is to spend for the activities of the Association and and also for the YCSYSM. In my work I see that I am an agent of Change.
When we came out of the YCS/YSM Movement I along with my friend formed a small team and used to meet often after our work in the evening, we used to meet at either at our home or in our restaurants and discuss about our jobs, our families and other matter. This continuity of cell life helped and enriched us.
On this occasion I like to thank all my animators and my friends in a special way remember my first animator Fr. K Charles, Fr. M C Michael who led me through the way of life, the present National Animator Fr. Prakash who had been a constant support to me to relive my YCS/YSM life and also my team member, Mary Margaret, Rosy Barrato and others.
LET YCS YSM LIVE LONG
LET US RELIVE AND CONTINUE THE MOVEMENT WHEREVER WE ARE
James Sylvester
Former National Treasurer
Presently National President of YCSYSM India Alumni