Award Leader Reflections on the Award

Biswajit Ghosh, Principal of Rama Krishna Mission Blind Boys’ Academy, Kolkata

The most striking feature of the Award is that it is non-competitive, which infuses a sense of togetherness and selflessness among the youngsters, who generally face competition in every juncture of life. This not only helps the young adults bring out their best but also instills a sense of belonging to the society at large.

Adrija Chatterjee, Gold Award holder, IAYP Youth Representative 

“The Award lets us know ourselves and our latent potentials. It develops a desire in the young Awardee to push one’s own self a bit further to achieve something in life. Most of the girls in our institution have to endure a lot of external challenges and pressures to continue with the Award, but in the end, the achievement really pays for it. And as for myself, I think the Gold Award, or rather the Award Journey itself has been one of the most important achievements in my life.”

Earning while Learning

The Award Programme Foundation is supporting a skill development programme for the development of rural areas under the Gender Diversity Empowerment Project. Areas like Singur, Baladbandh, and Kumroguri are under this project. Through this project young girls learn skills like making handmade jewellery (earrings, bangles, clips and necklaces) by the paper quilling method and other paper craft skills. These products are also sent to various fairs, offices, and stalls for selling. The girls earn some money as after selling these items the profit is distributed equally among the girls. Through this financial help the girls are able to help their family for a better living.

Some Award Participants from Baladbandh village have chosen “Paper Making -- Pen Stand” as their Skill for the programme. They made different types of pen stands using paper. They were allowed to sell these products at Kredent Tower, Kolkata on 24th March, 2017. Senior HR Executive of Tata Business Support Service Smt. Shivani Goswami visited them and appreciated the work and creative ideas of the awardees. She decided to use these handmade pen stands as gifts for some activities of the company.

From January to March 2017 these Participants sold the items at different fairs and earned around ten thousand ruppes. This amount was equally distributed amont the 30 awardees of Baladbandh village. Through this initiative many families have benefited. The project is helping these girls to develop the skills and earn while they learn.

The International Gold Event (IGE) 2017

25th October – 30th October 2017 at Prague, Czech Republic The International Gold Event (IGE) has evolved over the years into an advanced training programme on soft skills, service projects and cultural exchange events, and now focusing on leadership development for its delegates. This year, this much-awaited event, IGE-2017 will be held in Prague, Czech Republic, on the theme of “Engaging a younger generation in our sustainable future”. The Foundation is working on creating a provocative programme, planning field visits to provide delegates with the opportunity to discuss the challenges faced by young people, and deciding the effective application of the Award for a sustainable future within their local, national, regional and global communities. Gold Award holders are encouraged to plan their applications to participate in this mega event. Application form is available here. More details on IGE-2017 can be obtained from www.intaward.org.

Award Leader Reflections on the Award

Prabhnoor Khurana, Confluence World School, Rudrapur 
"My experience so far has been full of learning in these two days of training. To say that I was in need of such a programme that would enhance my skills and provide a better understanding of youth empowerment, would not be incorrect. While attending the workshop there have been some queries and doubts, however, with the passage of time and working in the field, they would be resolved. I feel that this youth development programme provides a wonderful platform to hone skills, confidence level, team spirit, and leadership qualities of young ones. For me, in simple terms, IAYP represents leaving our comfort zone to get the best out of us."

Aasheesh Rawat, Snow Leopard Adventures Pvt. Ltd., Gurgaon 
"This is one of the best experiences of my life. I learned a lot from this two-day workshop. I feel this is a very useful programme for youth and their bright future. It enhances their level of service to the community, skills set, the level of confidence, and teamwork."

Plantation Drive

"A tree can supply a day’s oxygen for four people."

Nature has been one of the greatest sources of energy for living creatures. We are indeed blessed and privileged to reside in the heart of a wonderful, attractive and eco-friendly environment. Staying in this beautiful paradise proves to be extremely therapeutic and tranquilizing and also motivates one to give back to the environment what it gives us humans so generously and selflessly. Planting trees is one such act of contributing towards the greenery of our surroundings.

Armed with lots of enthusiasm, energy, and thankfulness, the Award participants from The Sagar School, Alwar, wholeheartedly invested time and energy in the plantation drive aimed at a clean and fresh environment. The participants planted these saplings with the hope that, with time, they will blossom into plants and trees, adding beauty to nature and providing food for animals.

The need of the hour is to sensitize people towards promoting afforestation and preventing deforestation to save the world. Click for pictures

Training Workshop for Trained Activity Service Providers for IAYP

The National Award Authority organized a two-day Training Workshop for Trained Activity Service Providers for IAYP & ITAP license and interested Award Leaders of YES Centres to operate Adventurous Journeys and Residential Projects. Eleven participants from nine institutions: The British Co-Ed High School, Patiala; The Aga Khan Academy, Hyderabad; Adventure Education Tours (Mumbai) Pvt.Ltd., Mumbai; Global Travellers Guild, Kolkata; Snow Leopard Adventures Pvt. Ltd., Gurgaon; Juniper Wings, Kolkata; Inside Passage, Dehra Dun and Holiday Moods Adventures Pvt Ltd., New Delhi participated in the workshop on 10th - 11th March 2017.

The workshop was a blend of field work, classroom lecture and demonstration, covering various aspects of the Adventurous Journey and the Residential Project, in which the participants gained knowledge of the need and requirements for the same. The evening session before the bonfire was on the Role of the Assessor and the Supervisor, a critical input for a successful Adventurous Journey.

Day two activities started with an Adventurous & Exploration Journey, where the participants took part in trekking and exploration. This session included the learning and demonstration of the Preliminary Training, Practice Journey and Qualifying Journey, followed by a drill on Recording and Management of the Diary. There were Q&A sessions where the participants shared their experience and the problems that they come across during the AJ, and the NAA Team helped them in finding solutions. The workshop was mentored by Bivujit Mukhoty (Programme Manager). and Priyank Kumar Gupta (Head IT & ORB) The workshop concluded with the presentation of certificates by the IAYP National Director. Click to view pictures

Award Leader Reflections on the Award

Prabhudatta Lenka, Hopetown Girls' School, Dehradun 

"The two-day YES workshop based on practical hands-on experience and visually memorable training material given to the Award Leaders proved to be a complete learning experience for me. I think with the effective way in which the training was imparted and all the sections explained, this becomes one of the best sessions that I have ever attended. I feel grateful."

Samrat Chakrabarty, Sports Coordinator, Oakridge International School, Visakhapatnam 

"The Award brings in diverse experiences for the most vulnerable and able generation, which gives them stability and proper direction. It connects them with all spheres unexplored to give them a first-hand experience. Also, the Award equally helps in building character and shaping the personality of young people."

Award Leader Reflections on the Award

Saiyed Moallim, French Teacher at Templeton Academy International, Naukuchiatal 
"IAYP in my view is an excellent software required to develop the present youth into the well managed and independent global citizen. Through this Programme, I feel we can help each and every young person regardless of their upbringing or surrounding. There is a lot of hope and possibility for better opportunities to be explored through this Platform."

Umed Singh, Snow Leopard Adventures Pvt. Ltd., Gurgaon 
"I have heard for the very first time about the IAYP Programme. I feel that that the Award provides immense opportunities for growth and development of Young people and makes them ready for their aspiring career and bright future. I am all eager to know more about the Award."

Adventurous Journey help gain confidence

Silver level Award participants from Olcott Memorial School, Chennai completed their Adventurous Journey from 27th - 29th January 2017. A brief report on their AJ.

Forty-three, Silver level Award participants assembled at the school campus with great excitement on 27th January 2017 by 5.30 am, looking forward to spending the next three days at Amirthi forest by taking part in trekking and other adventurous activities under their Adventurous Journey section of their Award Programme.

The enthusiastic group of participants left the school for Vellore. On reaching the forest, participants were grouped and allotted accommodation. They were briefed about the Adventurous Journey Section and activities by the mentors. The activities started with participants trekking a few kilometres before commencing the river crossing activity. Every participant participated in this activity with great enthusiasm and vigor. This was followed by a short trek to a nearby village where participants interacted with the villagers and learned about their lifestyle and culture. After dinner, they had a circle time where each of them was asked to share about themselves and showcase their individual talents before going to bed.

The following day began with a physical exercise session. After breakfast, the participants commenced their 7 km long trek up a hill to reach a village. They enjoyed the natural scenic beauty, the flora, and fauna of the place before interacting with the local community to know about their lifestyle.

The third day also began with physical exercise. This inculcated a sort of discipline among the participants. After breakfast, they trekked along the river to climb a small mountain using ropes and enjoyed the rappelling activity. The participants also took part to river crossing activity in the river before trekking back to their campsite.

This Adventurous Journey, away from their home and routines helped the participants to gain confidence, improve their interpersonal skill and personality development. On 29th the group headed back to Chennai with fond memories and with a boost their self-confidence. Click to view pictures

Award Leader Reflections on the Award

Jai Vir Singh, Snow Leopard Adventures Pvt. Ltd., Gurgaon 

"This Award Programme is very good for students since it helps in their overall development. I think the four sections of the Award: Service, Skills, Physical Recreation and Adventurous Journey, help students experience things and also try things out of their comfort zone, which is important for their growth and development. These sections provide them a choice to select the best option giving them a competitive advantage. The Award challenges them and teaches them how to set realistic goals and then achieve them."

Krushna Oh Behra, Templeton Academy International, Naukuchiatal 

"This Award Programme provides opportunities to youth where through experiential learning they learn what is good and what is bad for them. They learn what is important and unimportant for them. They understand what path to choose and how to move with confidence on the set path by setting the right goals. This programme is instrumental in their growth and leading them on the path of progress."

A Journey to Self-Discovery

A real contribution that makes a difference

Participants of Bawa Lalvani Public School (BLPS), Kapurthala (Punjab) have registered for the Bronze Level of the Awar

 
d and taken on a mission to make a real contribution to society and make a difference through their work. Ms. Ekta Dhawan, Principal, Bawa Lalvani Public School, Kapurthala, shares the report of the work undertaken by the Bronze level participants.

The Award is an exciting self-development programme available to all young people worldwide, equipping them with life skills and exposing them to make a difference to their lives and their 

communities. In one such endeavour to make a difference, the Bronze Award participants 

from BLPS have been devoting their time, love and care to the underprivileged children of village Kokalpur, Distt. Kapurthala. Each Award participant of the group has taken a pledge to make a difference to the life of at least one child of the village. These participants are enthusiastically engaged in teaching them, grooming them and also creating awareness among children about good health and well-being, a balanced diet, good toilet habits, air-borne diseases and water-borne diseases. They have been educating the village about different ways of administering first-aid in case of a snakebite, insect bite etc. They use their pocket money to buy things for their buddy in the village and make them feel responsible for their individual growth and development.

These engagements of Bronze level participants have not only made a difference in their levels of confidence and self esteem but has also made a difference in the lives of the children from the village. They look forward to meeting with their IAYP buddies and learning from them.

We are very grateful to IAYP for arousing in the young minds the urge to serve the community.