The £2.5 million extension to the YMCA Indian Student Hostel will be opened on Tuesday 29th of June at 5pm by HRH the Duke of Gloucester at its location in London’s Fitzroy Square.

On the Duke of Gloucester’s arrival the celebration, which commemorates the opening will begin and will consist of traditional Indian celebrations including a performance by a group of classical dancers from South India.

The hostel provides its residents with many different activities that encourage today’s youth societies such as counselling, career guidance, educational events, and a variety of sporting and recreational activities, and also runs an exchange programme. The hostel's restaurant boasts a regular appearance in Time-Out magazine’s list of top value-for–money eateries.

The YMCA Indian Student Hostel first opened in 1920 to accommodate Indian students who had come to London to broaden their fields of study. Since 1920, it stands as a strong symbol of Anglo-Indian co-operation, which continues to serve the youth of society, which provides affordable accommodation to travellers and guests. It has stood on its current location at London’s Fitzroy Square since March 1953.

The building work, which is being funded by the YMCA’s own resources, has now been completed on the 8500 sq ft extension. The new building will add a further 19 bedrooms and a modernised activity centre.

Jacob Abraham, General Secretary of the YMCA Indian Student Hostel says of the extension, “The new accommodation means better, cost-effective living facilities. The rooms will all be self-contained and cater for young people on a budget. It will allow us to hold more educational, social and cultural events.”