YMCA Secunderabad (Cultural Venue)

We hope you know the song. The YMCA really is a marvellous place, managing to pack so much into a not-large center.

Exhibition-cum-sales are a big hit here, and happen on a frequent basis. We have to mention the regular English Edition sales, where you can buy some nifty coffee table books at pretty reasonable prices. The Dastakar exhibition of saris and dress material is destined to be eternally crowded, while handicraft exhibitions from Pondicherry and Gujarat see their share of customers. Leather goods are another big seller, while one that never seems to do well is the furniture sale, usually because few people want hideous furniture in their home.

There's a whole bunch of classes available for every kind of enthusiast. Their summer camps are especially popular, priced reasonably and a great place for parents to get rid of their kids. The aerobic classes are very basic but excellent value for money (who needs Dinaz 's?), martial arts classes are always a good idea, and the guitar classes are well worth the effort.

The basketball court - now that's where it's all happening. There will always be someone dribbling and trying a fancy shot, missing and looking around sheepishly, but going on trying anyway. Basketball games, sometimes of the 'boys vs girls' variety, are regular features, but we won't tell you who usually wins because we all know that women are the superior gender and will one day rule the world.

At the best time of year, when Christmas is around the corner, the center has carol-singing classes for all those with snow in their hair and mistletoe in their eyes. A good voice is a bonus, but no one will grudge a croaky emittance, either.