‘With it’ musician now I.N. missionary head

Press, 12 August 1980, Page 24

‘With it’ musician now I.N. missionary head

Mr Ken Gnanakan is a missionary, and those who believe that behind every missionary there is an interesting story will not be disappointed. He was lead guitarist with the Trojans, India’s first beat group which hit the “charts” there about 15 years ago. "We played Beatles songs,” he said. While not renouncing the chords he used to play, he would rather talk about International Needs today. I.N. is a support organisation which arose from the Youth For Christ movement, to foster programmes in Third World countries.

During its six years it em Christians an idea of Ken’s work in third world countries,” said the New Zealand director (Mr M. Newth), who is accompanying his counterpart. Working with existing churches is a major role for International Needs workers in India.

“We are trying to encourage Christian young people to make a more positive contribution in their own country,” said Mr Gnanakan. Many were “in their own tittle groups” and needed to help others. The A.C.T.S. (Agriculture, Crafts, Trades and Studies) programme has proved successful. A minhas provided financial and

physical assistance to Christian workers in India, Nepal, Nigeria, Japan, Korea and other SouthEast Asian nations. International Needs, New Zealand, sponsors 29 workers in their own countries. Part of the group's work is to conduct ministries. It has financed schools and orphanages, given leadership training and embarked upon projects of “social concern,” according to Mr Gnanakan, who is executive director of International Needs, India.

“We believe the citizens of a country can do the job best,” he said, explaining the slogan “Nationals do the best job” that features on I.N.’s literature.

His group did not decry others though. Some

“rival” aid organisation personnel are on an International Needs executive in India.

Mr Gnanakan agreed that there were an abundance of aid groups in his country — “they arrive after every disaster” — but said International Needs, in despite of ias youth, has had no trouble in establishing credibility. “I travel around, and once they hear how we are doing our job doubts are eliminated.” He. is in New Zealand for the third, time, but it is his first trip in his present position. In 10 centres, including Christchurch, he will report on the progress made by the movement. “We hope to give Westistry of 1.N., it provides a

practical outlet for missionaries to reach the people.

There would never be a shortage of would-be Christians in the eyes of I.N. There are 15 million “faithful” in India, but that is just 2.5 per cent of the population. “We are stronger in South India because the north is predominantly Hindu.”

The programmes have not only received recognition from “ordinary folk.” The New Zealand High Commissioner in Bangladesh visited an International Needs vocational school recently, and, according to Mr Gnana-. kan, was so impressed that he had five muchneeded typewriters delivered the next day. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ Voluntary Agency Support Scheme recently presented 1.N., New Zealand, with $lO,OOO subsidy, the largest it has released. In light moments, Ken Gnanakan still sings to the people but in mellower fashion than his vocals of more than a decade ago. He is not embarrassed by his past — some still remember him as India’s first lead guitarist — but he does not use past fame to help him now.

And that music? “Well, I still enjoy it — occasionally,” he smiled.