MEGALIT 2017

Literature: A collective experience of humanity

Award participants from DPS Megacity, Kolkata took part in a mega event on Literature called MEGALIT 2017. Atanu Chatterjee, Award Leader, is sharing a report of the event.

Adhering to the unique tradition of imparting and upholding knowledge through innovations and first-hand experiences, DPS Megacity, Kolkata, ushered in the second version of MEGALIT 2017 on the 8th and 9th of November, 2017 -- an educational initiative undertaken with the active collaboration of the Management, our respected Principal Mrs Indrani Sanyal, the teachers and the students. The Award participants who were actively involved witnessed the august presence of acclaimed contemporary Indian authors as Mr Ravinder Singh, Ms Devika Rangachari, Ms Harshikaa Udasi, Ms Swati Sengupta, Ms Deepa Agarwal, Ms Roopa Pai, Mr Rustom Dadachanji, Ms Priya Kuriyan, Ms Nandhika Nambi, Ms Natasha Sharma, Mr Terry O Brien, Ms Sharada Kolluru, Ms Anjum, Mr Zac O’Yeah and Ms. Bijal Vachharajani.

Through their versatility and interactive deliberations the visionaries encouraged the Award participants in an unhindered and uninhibited pursuit of honing their reading, comprehending and writing skills by exemplifying their own personal passion for literature.

Intending to assist the students to discover new ways of enriching their sensibilities, enabling them to achieve the status of ‘careful observers, critical thinkers and curious learners’ the mega event successfully culminated. Click here for the pictures

Orientation Programme for Students

At The Vikasa School, Tuticorin

A report by S. S. Sorna Kumar, Award Leader

An Orientation session of the International Award for Young People (IAYP) at The Vikasa School, was held on Monday, March 20, 2018, under the supervision of the Principal, Dr N. K. Charles. During the event, Mr Immanuel Cyril Jairaj, Vice-Principal (Non-Academic) introduced Mr Bivujit Mukhoty, Programme Manager, Award Programme Foundation, New Delhi, and Mr Sasikiran, Programme Assistant, IAYP, Chennai, to the gathering. Mr Bivujit Mukhoty's speech was inspiring and challenged our students. They have shown a good deal of enthusiasm to join the Award Programme. There was a video presentation of the Duke of Edinburgh Camp, in which various Service, Skills, Physical Recreation and Adventurous Journey related activities were highlighted. Mr Sasikiran motivated the students to join the Programme and emphasized that the Award earned by them will be helpful to pursue higher studies and might be useful during job interviews as well.

Mr Ganeshamoorthy, Co-Ordinator, Department of Physical Education of the School, honoured the guests with a bouquet. The orientation programme was concluded with a vote of thanks by Mr Mathew, English Co-Ordinator. The orientation programme motivated everyone, not only to enroll, but also to actively take part in rendering Service to the society, sharpening their Skills and Physical Recreation, and to enjoy Adventure. Click here for pictures

*** Adventurous Journey - A report

Thirty-nine Award participants of Lakshmi School, Madurai, along with five teachers, started their Adventurous Journey on July 21, 2017 to The Base Camp, Kaliyal Village, Kanyakumari District. After reaching the camp site, these participants setup their tents with the help of the mentors. In the afternoon the participants went for a short trek. After evening tea students started preparing for the cooking session. The group was divided into six and each group was assigned the task of making a different dish for dinner.

Next day after the morning yoga activities, the participants visited a rubber factory and rubber plantation site. Post lunch session was for the different Adventurous activities which include -- commando bridge, rope walk, river crossing, Burma bridge and other team building games. In the evening the participants visited Tirparappu waterfall.

Next day, after the morning routine and daily exercises, the participants performed some other team building activities. All activities were conducted under the supervision of trained professionals. It was a new learning for the participants. The group expressed how they felt close to nature in these three days. Staying in the tent was a new experience for the participants and they enjoyed it. Click here to see the glimpses of the camp

A journey full of experience and learning

Award participants of Sarala Birla Academy, Bangalore, completed their Adventurous Journey under the supervision of Award Leader K S Biradar in the month of February 2018. Gurusharan G -IAYP student representative, Nikunj Tulysan and Shorya Vardhan Singh are sharing their experience with us.

On 16 of Feb 2018 in the chilled early morning at 5:00 am we - Bronze, Silver and Gold

participants with our escorts left our school campus and headed towards Somvanpet, a place in northern Coorg. We reached our destination at our expected time. Post lunch we assemble on the ground nearby for the briefing about the place. We were then escorted by the owner of the farm, who gave us a brief insight about the plantations of fruit, vegetable and coffee. He explained to us about the various stages of the coffee plantation. We all had some team building activities where we enjoyed playing various games. The instructors briefed us about how to trek up and down the mountains or hills and described safety measures while trekking, such as: while trekking on the hill carry a stick and put a cross mark at every diversion point, so that the people coming slowly behind us would understand that their teammates have gone this way. After the tour of the area, we all enjoyed the bonfire after that and called it a day.

Next day in the early morning we had to go for an 18-km trek on the third highest peak of Karnataka - the Pushpagiri Hills. Everyone was very enthusiastic and excited about the trek. We all enjoyed the cool breeze in the morning while summiting the peak and the bliss of the hot sun while at the top and while coming down. The trek was rather challenging and gave us a lot of exposure and sense of determination, and we all had a wonderful experience while trekking. It was very challenging and difficult for a few of us but we all helped other team members climbing the hill. The hill took us through all types of terrains, forests and areas of rock steps where a few of us got bitten by the leeches over there and learnt to apply some salt over the wound. It was again quite challenging while coming down the hill. Some of us slipped and fell but all in all we enjoyed the trek. It was really a different kind of experience summiting one of the highest peaks. While we learnt a lot while trekking, everyone enjoyed to their fullest after the trek. After reaching our campsite, we played some team building games in the evening.

The next day everyone was very enthusiastic about the trek. We boarded our buses after having breakfast and then set off for the trekking destination with our group in-charge, Mr Karthik. After an hour we reached our destination: the Pushpagiri Hills. We set off to summit the highest peak of the hills. It was a 19kms trek and was challenging for a few people, but everyone was full of enthusiasm and excitement.

On the third day, Gold participants escorted by one teacher left in the morning towards the Irrapu Waterfalls, which was far away from our campsite. We trekked to reach the Waterfall and also come down. On reaching our campsite we were given guidelines about how to pitch a tent; it was a new experience for most of us and everyone learnt and enjoyed doing it. The Bronze and Silver participants went for a small trek to the nearby stream where we dipped in the cold water in the hot sun.

Next day the Bronze and Silver participants went back to the school with two escorts. The seven Gold participants went for a morning trek for around 8 km. Post breakfast they participated in zip lining, boating, rope balancing and many more adventure related activities. After completing all the activities they left the campsite and headed back to the school with a lot of experience and learning.

By this trek, we learnt that we should not give up at any point in our life. Challenge yourself and move forward, definitely, success will meet you. We also got to know a lot about each other as we cooperated and helped each other during the trek. It was overall a very memorable experience for all of us, including the teachers, escorts and the in-charge, and we look forward to more activities and trekking. Click here for more pictures

IAYP helped me see a new world

Bonnya Soren, a Gold Award holder from Sri Sarada Math, Baladbandh, sharing her life after Gold experience with us.

It was like a dream when I emerged for the very first time from all the barriers in my life. I belong to the tribal society in a remote village named Panisheola in Hooghly district. It was not easy for me to continue my Award journey, as girls are not allowed to do anything independently here. But when I started my Bronze level a new window opened in my life; very slowly I started believing in positive power and discovered a new confidence in myself. I faced many social hazards, but I didn't stop my journey. I completed my Gold Award in the year 2017 and in this year I got married at the age of 19. I thought now there is no hope for me in the Award. Lots of questions coursed through my mind: how can I convince my husband? how can I describe Award to my in-laws, and so on. But being a Gold Award holder I am confident and understand the utilities of the Award especially for girls. So I started a new journey in my new family, keeping a flag "IAYP India" in my hand. And at last I got success. My in-laws, husband and all my relatives are convinced by the new thoughts and visions of the Award Programme and I got another chance to start my journey as an instructor. Now I am not only a Gold Award Holder, but I am also a leader of my village. I participated in the camp of Matha Hills which was held from 13th Feb to 18th Feb, 2018 as a leader. I think I created an example for the tribes group in my village and it will help the next generation for developing their career in a new path. I am grateful to Sri Sarada Math Rasik Bhita and IAYP, India for giving me full support and helping me to see a new world that I couldn't even dream of before.