The Award in Action- Bawa Lalvani Public School, Kapurthala

Award participants from Bawa Lalvani Public School, Kapurthala

IAYP REPORT: VISIT TO LEPROSY HOME

Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much!

A group of young people from Bawa Lalvani Public School, Kapurthala, visited a leprosy home to play their part in providing voluntary service to the people affected by leprosy who are abandoned by their families and communities. The Award Participants arrived at the home early in the morning and were warmly welcomed by the staff and residents.

The participants were then divided into small groups and assigned different tasks, such as serving food, distributing medicines, and assisting the residents with their daily activities. They also spent time interacting with the residents, listening to their stories and learning about their experiences.

The young people also distributed food packets containing rice, vegetables, and fruits to the residents of the home. They also spent time interacting with the people and entertained them with songs, dance performances and games. They also brought along some board games and books, which the residents could use to cherish the moments.

The residents of the leprosy home were delighted to have the Award participants visit them. They appreciated the kindness and generosity and were grateful for the food and entertainment. The participants also had an enriching experience, learning about the lives of people affected by leprosy and the challenges they face in society.

Through their interactions, our Award participants gained a deeper understanding of the challenges faced by the residents of the Leprosy Home and the importance of social and voluntary service. They also learned about the measures taken by the staff members to ensure the well-being of the residents and the importance of empathy and compassion in serving the community. While sharing their experiences and insights, the young students expressed gratitude for the opportunity to serve the community and pledged to continue their efforts in making a positive impact on society.

Overall, the visit to the Leprosy Home was a valuable learning experience for the young people of BLPS. It not only helped them develop empathy and compassion but also instilled a sense of responsibility towards the less fortunate in society. The International Award for Young People has proven to be an effective platform for developing ethical and responsible citizens who are committed to making a positive impact on society.

IAYP has played an important role in making our students understand their responsibility towards society.

Thank you IAYP!

Dr. Ekta Dhawan
Principal
Bawa Lalvani Public School
Kapurthala

The Award in Action- Vidyamandir Senior Secondary School, Chennai

 Adventurous Journey of Award participants from Vidyamandir Senior Secondary School, Chennai

DAY 1:

On 24th March, last minute goodbyes’ and run through of packing checklists reverberated in the air as the Mangalore Express took off from Chennai Central Railway station in the late afternoon sun. We filled into the compartments exuberantly to chatter about our holiday plans while revelling in typical train delicacies and hot tea. The sky turned a resplendent orange as we feasted on our dinners. This was followed by hushed-up whispers and silent games played late into the night until we all succumbed to serene slumber.

DAY 2:

We arose early the next day and scrambled to get our suitcases to line up in the hustling and bustling Mangalore station. A 2 hour bus journey dominated by disco and dance took us to Didupe village, a tranquil landscape dotted with palm trees, gentle breeze and vivid creatures. After a quick freshen-up, we took jeeps and open trucks to arrive at our trekking site. Armed with only water and mango juice, the trek along the undulating terrain left us panting and exhausted in no time under the scorching sun. We witnessed nature at its best walking along the stony trail besieged by dense trees, crunched leaves and buzzing bees. The fact that someone would have our back in case of an untimely trip gave us some strength as we climbed further only to hear the distinct ripple of water in the enchanting Ermayi falls. The teeth clattering cold did not stand in our way as we jumped into the little pool for a much-needed bath. It was all fun and games until our feet stepped on the slimy moss. This was an experience to behold as no one had the heart to leave despite shivering profusely. Our tired legs somehow carried us back to the starting point, our homestay where we crashed into bed after an efficacious Karnataka meal in the warmth and glow of a merry bonfire.

DAY 3:

Loud groans and protests could be heard in the crack of dawn as we were woken up to embark on our next trek. This terrain was easier to ascend, albeit with sudden slopes and slippery shingle. In no time, the Kadamagundi falls was in sight in all its glory with crystal clear water cascading down its length. A nerve-racking climb on the mossy rocks took us to the ultimate shower of heaven. While the bullet-like drops were initially painful, it soon evolved into a mollifying back massage, one which no salon could ever give! Down below, a small fish gave us free pedicure while aquatic spiders hung unto our clothes inducing superfluous screams. On our way back, none of us complained about time or distance till the destination but instead exclaimed airily that the trek was a piece of cake. Surely, this trek had exposed our inner athletes! We reached the resort to get ready for the fireless cooking challenge. We were given onions, potatoes, buns, watermelons, rice flakes, salt, pepper and a bonfire and were asked to awaken our inner Masterchefs. The session ended with platters of burnt vegetables with an overdose of spices resulting in a realization that we would not survive two days in a forest and deep appreciation for our mothers( to be fair, there were a few exceptions).We relaxed for a while and joined the dance around a colossal bonfire. A scrumptious meal of dosa and pulao turned out to be the icing of the cake as we dropped off to sleep after an eventful day.

DAY 4:

Some of us were still packing at the eleventh hour the next day when we were called down for breakfast. Post the meal, we checked out of Navagraha homestay and bid adieu to Didupe as we took the bus to Mangalore. Some of us caught up on our lost sleep or sang along to the tunes played along the ride. We arrived at the Mahatobhaara Sri Mangaladevi Temple, famous for giving Mangalore its name. After offering our prayers to the deity of Mangladevi, we advanced towards the bus after engaging in a shopping spree of chips and cool drinks. We then proceeded towards the railway station after an enticing lunch, making our way towards our respective compartments. What followed was another typical, fun filled train journey fittingly spent recollecting our priceless memories and learnings from our adventures in the heart and soul of Karnataka, right here at Didupe, as the Mangalore express chugged along back towards Chennai.

The Award in Action- HAL New Public School, Bangalore.

 Adventurous Journey for Bronze level Award participants from HAL New Public School, Bangalore.

Trekking has always been a thrill and challenging activity for everyone.

Our 44 Bronze Award Aspirants of The International Award for Young People, India, along with four Award Leaders undertook an expedition and exploratory journey to the most alluring mountains of Western Ghats of India, Mullayangiri and Bababudangiri, Chikkamangalur, Karnataka, on 26th, 27th and 28th of March, 2023.

Mullayangiri is the highest peak in Karnataka with a height of 1930 m (6317 ft) from the sea level. A famous trekking trail runs between the eponymous peaks in this range with a pitch-dark cave having beautiful layers of
sedimentation. As a part of our expedition our Award participants were taken for a Mowgli walk inside the cave. They braved not only the slippery edges of onerous cliff but also the vehemence of midday sun. In the evening, the participants cooked various delicacies to showcase their newly acquired culinary skills, as a part of The Award Programme grooming.

On the second day, we walked almost a kilometer to the most serene lake of Hirekolale, where the young people pitched their tents and explored flora and fauna. Keeping in mind the spirit of The Award Programme, they engaged themselves in cleaning waste in and around the lake. Surrounded by coffee estate, Award participants were also able to witness the vast plantations. While returning they were given a yatra of the coffee museum in order to understand in depth about one specific flora. Last but not the least, this Adventurous Journey helped our Award participants to boost their confidence through various types of activities during the camp. They developed the skills of leadership, punctuality, honesty and togetherness, which are very important for young people to be well-rounded and sensitive people in the future.

Award Leaders Ms. Aarti Deshpande, Ms. Preet Kaur, Ms. Naik Kavitha Keshav and Ms. Brindha Ilangovan accompanied the Award participants on their Adventurous Journey.

The Award in Action- VIBGYOR High, NIBM, PUNE

 Adventure Journey for Silver level Award participants from VIBGYOR High, NIBM, PUNE.

Award participants from VIBGYOR High went to Monteria village for their Adventurous Journey as a part of their programme for silver level of The Award Programme from 9th to 11th March, 2023. This journey helped us to get engaged in challenging activities in a new environment with the chance to learn about team work and leadership. We had training sessions on things like how to tie different kinds of knots that would be useful when trekking, first aid essentials, etc. We also had multiple activities like exploring the nearby village and learning how things are done there and cooking in woods with what supplies we had packed or found in the woods. It allowed the entire group to learn how to work as a team and how to handle every important aspect of undertaking adventure trips.
We attended a 3-day Adventure trip in which our main objective was to trek to and explore Kondana caves. It was a 30-45 min drive to the base of the caves from our living quarters. Caves have many stupas which were excavated in the first century BC. The beautiful wooden pattern and the prayer hall along with other structures are still intact. We saw beautiful carvings on the walls of the caves and inscription in the prayer hall.
This Adventurous Journey developed our self-confidence and fitness levels. Under the supervision of the IAYP team, the Adventurous Journey was a learning experience along with fun, within a safe and secure setting.

Award Leader Training- New Delhi; March 31st and April 1st, 2023

On March 31st and April 1st, 2023 the National Award Authority organized an Award Leader Training at India Habitat Centre in New Delhi. Kapil Bhalla (National Director) and Bivujit Mukhoty (Programme Manager) led the two-day workshop, whose objective was to interact with Award Leaders from various schools and emphasize their role in the development of Award participants throughout their Award journey.

A total of 28 participants attended the Delhi Workshop, representing schools such as S.N Kansagra (Gujarat), The Mann (Delhi), O.P Jindal Modern (Hissar), B.D Somani International (Mumbai), The Lawrence School Lovedale & Sanawar, Dyal Singh Public (Jagadhari & Panipat), Maha Devi Birla World (Kolkata), Pinegrove (Dharampur), Selaqui International (Dehradun), Jayshree Periwal International (Rajasthan), Good Shepherd International (Ooty), Hopetown Girls (Dehradun), Medicaps (Indore), The Sagar School (Rajasthan), Pathways School (Noida), Ecole Globale International, Invictus International School (Amritsar) and Scindia Kanya Vidyalaya, Gwalior.

The training opened with an icebreaker before delving into an introduction to the Award Program - its philosophy, journey and framework; followed by discussions about its various aspects like Voluntary Service, Skills, Physical Recreation and Adventurous Journey; Risk Management; the benefits of the Program; and the Residential Project for Gold Level Awardees. The training consisted of group activities, presentations and discussions that helped Award Leaders to learn about the Award Programme in detail. 

Day 2 started with a review session and elaborate discussion on the Adventurous Journey and Residential Project. Achievements and impact of the various levels of the Award, benefit Brand Pack were also discussed with the Award Leaders. To wrap up, a comprehensive review activity was conducted to help participants retain key lessons learnt over two days that were also filled with engaging activities throughout.