Cleanliness Drive - A Report

The Award participants of Sanjay Ghodawat International School, Atigre undertook the second phase of their cleanliness drive in the village of Hatkanangale (Maharashtra) in the Old Market Area on Saturday, September 9, 2017. All the 96 Bronze and 8 Silver participants were involved in this activity under the supervision of 15 mentors.

The purpose of the second phase of this cleanliness drive was to create more awareness among the villages regarding hygiene. The open drains which were cleaned during the last drive were not in a good condition, and the participants had a difficult task ahead of them as the drains were again filled with polythene bags and grass had sprouted around the drains. The Award participants convinced the villagers not to throw litter everywhere. They also discussed the negative impacts of poor hygiene on our health. The participants visited each home and shop of the area to spread awareness. It took nearly three hours to clean the drains. The work was appreciated by the villagers and the Sarpanch of the village. Click here for pictures

Award Leader Training (YES) Workshops

National Award Authority organised two Award Leader Training (YES) Workshops on September 8 - 9 and September 12 - 13, 2017.

The first workshop was organised at Vishwa Vidyapeeth Bengaluru on September 8 - 9, 2017. The workshop was attended by 18 participants from Mallya Aditi International School, Bengaluru; Oakridge Int. School, Bengaluru; Vishwa Vidyapeeth, Bengaluru; Karaumbiah's Academy for Learning & Sports, Gonikoppal, Coorg; BGS World School, Bengaluru and Sarala Birla Academy, Bengaluru. The workshop was led by Bivujit Mukhoty (Programme Manager), K S Birader (Member, National Training Panel); Teena Machaiah (Member, National Training Panel); and Priya Chengappa (Coorg Public School, Mysore).

The second workshop was organised on September 12 - 13, 2017 at Peevees Public School, Nilambur, Kerala. This workshop was attended by 8 participants from Peevees Public School Nilambur Kerala and Isha Home School, Velliangiri Foothills, Coimbatore. The workshop was led by Kapil Bhalla (National Director) and Bivujit Mukhoty (Programme Manager).

The workshops started with a session on introduction and expectations. There were sessions on Framework and Philosophy of the Award, followed by the four pillars of the Award, Residential Project, Risk Management, Benefits of Award and Brand Pack and Web resources. After completion of the workshop participants were recognised with certificates.

Programme Manager's Review Visit to Chennai

Bivujit Mukhoty (Programme Manager) visited Award Units of Chennai from September 14 - 16, 2017 to meet and review the Award progress at the YES Centres in Chennai. The Programme Manager visited TI Matriculation Higher Secondary School, Chennai; AMM Matriculation Higher Secondary School, Kotturpura; Chennai; Lalaji Memorial Omega International School, Kolapakka, Chennai; Crescent School, Chennai and Vidya Mandir Senior Secondary School, Chennai. The Programme Manager helped to resolve issues and clarify doubts of the Award Leaders, Award participants and other supporting staff of the YES Centres.

During the visit, the Programme Manager delivered an Award Orientation to Govt Higher Secondary School, Pennagar, Vellore and Vedavalli Vidyalaya Senior. Secondary School, Walajapet, Vellore. Bivujit Mukhoty was assisted by Sasikiran (Programme Officer) during his visit.

Save Paper, Save Plants Campaign

 The Award participants of DPS Megacity, Kolkata along with students of Eco Club took part in a campaign named “Save Paper Save Plants”. These are the initiatives taken by the participants to create a green environment:

• The papers were reused to make bags and envelopes which were sold during our Annual Carnival, the proceeds of which go towards charity through the Interact club.
• Economization of paper Both sides of the A4 size paper is used to prevent wastage. School circulars were also printed on the reverse side of used papers in order to economize the use of paper.
  
• All unused papers in the exercise books were taken out and bound to form new exercise books. These exercise books were handed over to the Interact Club to be distributed to the less privileged students in the community.
• Old exercise books of the students were collected by the participants and used to make pulp for handmade paper and then this pulp was mixed with water and spread on a piece of window screen to dry. On completion of drying this paper was painted by the students and used for board work in the classroom.
• The Award participants recycled used papers, bottles, cans and made beautiful folders, pen stands, show pieces etc., which were also used as gifts for distinguished guests who visited our school.

In conclusion, it can be said that DPS Megacity has truly followed the mantra of REUSE AND RECYCLE for the conservation of plants and contributed immensely to our planet Earth in reducing global warming.

A Success Story

My name is Priyanka Sarkar. I live in Chandannagar, Hooghly. My father serves tea at the station. With his meagre earning, we found it difficult to meet our daily needs. After my Higher Secondary Examination, I came to take admission at Sri Sarada Math Rasik Bhita with my aunt, for a basic computer course and Communicative English course. During this period of time, I came to know about the “International Award for Young People, India.” or the IAYP programme from Adrija Di in one of her classes. Then I enrolled myself into this programme and completed the Bronze and Silver awards. Now I am working for my Gold award. I could not complete my graduation due to my family's poor economic condition.

This spirit of IAYP took me to the Jadavpur University. There I went to pursue a diploma course in social work. I faced an interview for the admission. During the interview the interviewer asked me different questions about IAYP like, the reason for being a part of the programme, the functions of the programme, what I have gained from this programme and the changes which took place in my life while doing this programme, the reason of the skill section of IAYP etc. They also asked about Sri Sarada Math and Rasik Bhita; how Matajis help us, how do we perform the activities in the Math, what type of social work do they do etc. I also mentioned the regular activities of “Nibedita Bahini”, formed by a group of girls of Rasik Bhita, how it works, what type of work they do and so on. After this interview, I got the opportunity to begin the course there and after six months of I completed. Then I wanted to pursue MSW (Master in Social Work) but without a B.A degree it was not possible to do the course. Then I went to Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS) for admission. There I gave an entrance examination and faced another interview session. There they also asked about my past, about Sri Sarada math, IAYP, diploma course in Jadavpur, Nibedita Bahini etc. Then I finally got the opportunity to study at TISS. They also granted to pay half of my course fee because of my poor economic background. Now I am studying “Child Protection” for three years. All these steps of success were not possible if I had not been a student of Rasik Bhita and an awardee of IAYP. I am truly grateful towards them.