Gold Award Ceremony 2018 - A brief note

This year's Special Gold Award Ceremony was organised on February 7, 2018 at the India International Centre, New Delhi. This Gold Award ceremony is dedicated to appreciating the milestones and the commitment of each participant. The day was dedicated to celebrate, enjoy and cherish their achievements with friends, family and the IAYP team.

We were honoured to have HRH The Prince Edward Earl of Wessex with us, who graced the occasion and presented the Gold Awards to all the successful participants. His Excellency Sir Dominic Asquith, High Commissioner of Britain to India also graced the Gold Award Ceremony.

The host and compere for the ceremony was Pratibha Kumari Singh, Award Leader and Member of the National Training Panel, who kept the audience engaged with her lively exchanges. She commenced the Gold Award Ceremony by welcoming HRH The Earl of Wessex, His Excellency Sir Dominic Asquith and all the Awardees, Award Leaders, Parents and other dignitaries. Mr. Kapil Bhalla (National Director) had the privilege to welcome the Chief Guest The HRH Earl of Wessex, HE Sir Dominic Asquith (High Commissioner of Britain), Himmat Kalsia (Chairman, APF), Dr. Sanat Kaul (Managing Trustee, APF), Siddharth Shriram (Member Trustee) and Dr. Kiran Martin (Member Trustee).

National Director Kapil Bhalla addressed the audience, sharing information of the progress of the Award. Kapil Bhalla highlighted the achievements of the Gender Diversity and Empowerment Project and Special Project at Ramskrishna Mission Blind Boys Academy, Kolkata, run by IAYP India.

The National Director's speech was followed by the Award Presentation Ceremony where the HRH Earl of Wessex handed the Gold Certificates to the participants.HRH facilitated 28 Gold Awardees from across the country.

In his inspiring words, HRH congratulated all the Awardees for their success. He explained to the participants that this is not their individual success, this is actually a team effort in which their mentors, Award Leaders and many volunteers are involved. They should feel themselves a bit taller and should feel proud to have achieved this Award.

HRH graciously spared some time to chat with the participants, Principals, Award Leaders, Volunteers and Parents.

Himmat Kalsia, Chairman, APF proposed the Vote of Thanks at the end of the ceremony.

The IAYP team thank HRH The Earl of Wessex, His Excellency Sir Dominic Asquith, Award Holders, Award Leaders, Principals, Parents, Guardians and our Trustees for being there to make this Gold Award Ceremony a success. For Gold Award Ceremony pictures, please click here.

Congratulations and Thank You

A big round of applause to all Gold Award Achievers, Award Leaders and Volunteers. Our thanks to all stakeholders who made the special Gold Award Ceremony 2018 a huge success. Thank you, HRH Prince Edward and Sir Dominic Asquith for gracing the ceremony.

HRH Prince Edward

Just walk a few inches tall and just feel a little bit proud of what you have done, because friends of yours can say that we can do this, but the difference is that you know you can.

HRH Prince Edward, The Earl of Wessex, to Gold Awardees at Delhi, India

The Honorable Sir Dominic Asquith KCMG

The Honourable Sir Dominic Asquith KCMG is a British diplomat and former Ambassador to Iraq, Egypt, and Libya. He is currently the British High Commissioner to India, since March 2016. Sir Dominic will be accompanying HRH throughout the Royal Visit.

We welcome His Excellency to the Gold Award Ceremony.

HRH The Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex KG GCVO

HRH The Earl of Wessex is Chair of Trustees of The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award Foundation. He is a Gold Award holder.

We welcome his Royal Highness to the Gold Award Ceremony.

The Foundation's Communications Team Visit India

IAYP India welcomes members of the communication team: Marianna Davis and Emma Fisher from The Duke of Edinburgh's International Award Foundation. The Team is visiting India from 15th January to 22nd January 2017.

During their stay in India, the team visited NAZ Foundation's community site and the Adventurous Journey Camp organised for participants of JCB Sponsored Government Schools in Delhi. Subsequently, they plan to visit Emmanuelle Ministries Kolkata, Sharda Math and Ramakrishna Blind Boys' Academy, Kolkata; and ISPG-assisted Gender Diversity Empowerment Project, Kolkata.

On the first day of the visit, the team met with the Award Leaders of NAZ Foundation and witnessed the Award in action, empowering young girls as part of NAZ India Goal Project. On the 17th the team visited Rocksports Camp, Tikkling where the NAA organised an Adventurous Journey Camp for Bronze participants and met and interacted with Md. Imran and Tilak Raj, both Gold Award Holders, volunteering for the Award.

More events are lined up and the members of IAYP India and The Foundation are excited and look forward to understanding the functioning of the Award from different angles and dimensions.

IAYP India is positive that this visit will help build a more effective communication channel. For news updates on the communication team, check this space for detailed reports.

The Duchess of Cambridge shares her DofE experience

Did you know that HRH The Duchess of Cambridge is a Gold Award holder? Read about what her DofE experience.

"I started my Duke of Edinburgh's Award while I was at Marlborough College, completing my Bronze before getting my Gold Award while I was in the sixth form. The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award is such a great way for young people to grow in confidence, learn new skills, work as part of a team and have great fun along the way. While getting my Gold Award was challenging at times, it is one of my most memorable experiences from growing up, and I could not recommend it more highly."