EXPEDITION TO MATHA HILLS FOREST (PURULIA)

SUCCESS IS ONE PERCENT INSPIRATION AND NINETY-NINE PERCENT PERSPIRATION

12th - 17th January 2014: A report from Md. Zeeshan (Gold Award participant of Emmanuel Ministries, Calcutta) 

All the 17 Award aspirants (boys and girls) geared up with their rucksacks waiting expectantly to face the challenges that were before them. It was an evening with the entire community crowding before the bus to see their wards off to the Howrah station. We assembled at the Howrah Station and were joined by 15 awardees of Sri Sarada Math, Kolkata and 9 awardees of All Bengal's Women Union, Kolkata. We boarded the Adra Chakradarpur passenger at 11.30 and arrived at the Barabhum Station the next morning at 7.30 a.m. On the train we occupied our berths and sat together for a community meal.

At the campsite for about at least 17 km away from the Barabhum Station we together enjoyed the beautiful ambience of the Matha Hills forest.

Some participants were taken aback with the punctuality and the discipline which they feels that it is the most important crux of individual upbringing and development. Few participants took part in all the mountaineering activities even in adverse situations. Some participants were a bit too hesitant about the climbing activities, they endured in the last and was successful. During the day and right throughout the evening we were packed with loads of activities and some of it was very challenging.

Monkey crawling, the single rope bridge and the Burma Bridge were the highlights of the camp. Gaining vertical height to the Mathaburu Summit was a spectacular journey. It was to our amazement and wonder to learn the techniques of how to cook food without the use of utensils. This group activity encouraged everybody to do their bit, and work towards a common goal. An attentive and careful listening of stories of expedition to the Mt. Everest by IAYP Programme Manager, Bivujit Mukhoty actually made a difference in the awardees life. It was not a matter that how high he climbed, but it mattered most for him when he evacuated his fellow-climbers stranded and frost bitten on the mountains.

Md. Manzoor (Gold Award holder) also shared his memories of the days when he was just a novice and after acquiring the Gold Award he couldn't imagine that he would be in the same wave length along with the instructors, and how much the award programme has contributed considerably to his personality and character.

One of the most fascinating parts of this expedition was to witness the largeness of heart that was so clearly reflected among the instructors. Click for pictures

NATIONAL TRAINING WORKSHOP AT JODHAMAL PUBLIC SCHOOL, JAMMU

14th - 15th February 2014

The NAA organised a two-day National Training Workshop (NTW) at Jodhamal Public School, Jammu from 14th - 15th February 2014.  Twenty Award Leaders from 12 different institutions participated in the workshop.  The workshop was inaugurated by Kapil Bhalla (National Director) and Trilok Singh Bisht (Principal, Jodhamal Public School, Jammu).  Mr Bisht welcomed all the delegates and the lamp of knowledge was lit.  Kapil Bhalla introduced the NAA team and gave a brief on the Award Programme. 

Bivujit Mukhoty (Programme Manager) led the first session on the Award Philosophy and Framework. He detailed the importance of the four pillars of the Award i.e. Skills, Service, Physical Recreation and Adventurous Journey and the requirements for each section of the Award.  Pratibha Kumari Singh (Member, National Training Panel) led the Service section and explained the need for social inclusion in the Programme. This session was followed by the Skills Sections in which Bivujit Mukhoty explained the different Skills-related activities.  The Physical Recreation session was led by Kapil Bhalla, who involved the participants in a practical exercise which they enjoyed.  The last session for the day was on the Brand Guide in which Bivujit Mukhoty detailed the Branding guidelines in respect to the Award programme. 

The next day started with a review of the previous day's activities, followed by the sessions on Adventurous Journey and Risk Management mentored by Bivujit Mukhoty.  There was a session on Residential Project in which Kapil Bhalla detailed the project requirements for the Gold aspirants.  Bivujit Mukhoty also took sessions on Volunteering and the benefits of the Award.  In the post lunch session there was a review session which was followed by a Q&A session in which the participants raised queries that the NAA team resolved.  The workshop concluded with the presentation of the Certificates to the participants by Trilok Singh Bisht. Click for pictures

A VISIT TO EKPRAYAS - A SCHOOL FOR CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS

30th January 2014 - Cambridge International School, Phagwara: A report

On January 30, 2014 we - the Award participants of Cambridge International School, Phagwara visited Ek Prayas - A school for children with special needs, in Ludhiana. It was a pleasant surprise to see how the expectations of a simple place were replaced by the reality of a vibrant, heart warming, and welcoming environment. The teachers of the school introduced us to the children, who smiled with sparkling and curious eyes as we interacted with them. It isn't possible for these children to get the same education as other children, but they are provided with everything according to their needs. We met children who aspire to be cricketers, singers, dancers etc.. Some of the students amongst us had prepared a song and dance to entertain the children and help us get to know them and encourage their trust. As the activities progressed, we noticed them losing their reservations and approaching us more confidently and interacting with us. We were astonished to encounter such happy and lively kids who we could get along with easily. And we were even more surprised to see how they warmed up to us on our very first visit. Once we left the school, we really felt like we were leaving new friends behind. 

The experience was, without the shadow of a doubt one of the most rewarding and fulfilling. It was a day spent between fun and interactions; by the end of the visit, we had learned most of their names. It is an understatement to say that time passed quickly; when we realized we had to go, it was well after the time we had intended to leave. With some final words with their teachers, we parted with the promise to return and the eagerness to do so.

We can happily say that this visit would prove to be a milestone to our ultimate goal. Getting to know these wonderful children, in a sense, will help us achieve our goal of contributing to their education, which is the only real legacy any person could hope to leave to another. Not only that, we are also certain that we will be learning a lot from them as well, including experiences about life such as being grateful and being genuinely happy with what we have.

Last but not the least, we would like to give a special thanks to our Principal Mr. Jorawar Singh and teachers Ms. Manju Verma and Mr. Rajat Bhaskar for organizing this superlative visit to Ekprayas and for guiding us the entire way. Also thanks to Mrs.Samira Bector founder member and the staff of Ekprayas, for motivating us to interact with the children and encouraging us to be a positive role model in their lives. 

-- Rupinderjit Kaur (Bronze Award Holder)

Click for pictures

PROGRAMME MANAGER'S VISIT TO GOVERNMENT SCHOOLS OF PUNJAB

28th - 31st January 2014

The Award Programme was initiated by the Chief Minister Shri Prakash Singh Badal, who adopted the Programme for all government schools of Punjab. IAYP Programme Manager Bivujit Mukhoty visited the schools between 28th and 31st January 2014. Snehlata Ahuja (Dy. Director, Education Department of Punjab) and Ravinder Singh (District Education Officer) accompanied Bivujit Mukhoty during this trip. 

The tour commenced with a visit to a remote village, 40 kms from Bhatinda city, where the team visited the Government Sports School, Ghudda. The team met with the Principal and Award Leaders of the school to discuss the challenges in running the Award. The team visited two more schools, the Government Senior Secondary School and Adarsh Senior Secondary School, Bhagu and discussed the progress of Award Programme in these schools. 

The next visit was to the Govt. Senior Secondary School - Sivian, which was followed by Govt. Senior Secondary School - Talwandi and Govt. Senior Secondary School - Bhaipura. These three schools are running the Award Programme successfully and there is considerable enthusiasm about the programme among the Award Leaders and the participants.

At Muktser district the team stayed at the Home for the Old. They got an opportunity to interact with senior citizens, gaining a new perspective that the Home can provide ample opportunity for Gold aspirants to complete their Residential Project.

On the 30th the team visited 4 schools in Badal village - Mata Jaswant Kaur Memorial School, Dashmesh Girls Senior Secondary School, Govt. Senior Secondary School, Badal and Government Senior Secondary School (G) Maluka. 

On the 31st the team visited Govt. Senior Secondary School, Chann; Govt. Senior Secondary School, Lambi and Govt. Senior School (G), Gidderbaha. The Award programme had been initiated in these schools in the month of September 2013 and the Award aspirants have already participated in the domains of Skill, Physical Recreation and Service.

There was a keen response from this district as a majority of the students showed interest in the programme and were happy to be a part of it. Also the Award Leaders seemed enthusiastic and were positive to receive such an opportunity. The Programme Manager interacted with each of the participants and Award Leaders on an individual basis and cleared all their queries regarding the programme.

This project is sponsored by the Punjab government, highlighting their positive interest in the development and growth of the youth in their state. All the participants are from the rural areas of Punjab State and are enthusiastic about self-development and self realization; and this project is helping the youth to learn and follow a path of healthy development.

National Award Authority would like to thank to all staff of Govt. of Punjab Education Dept. for their true involvement in this Programme and special thanks to Ms Snehlata, Coordinator of IAYP, Edu Dept. Punjab for her enthusiastic and wholehearted supported for this Programme. Click for the pictures