IGE 2014 Adrija's Diary - Part 1

International Gold Event 2014 Korea was an occasion where 75 individuals from 43 countries came together to drive forward the Award’s growth and development in the coming years under the theme of “Leadership for a transformed Award”.

Adrija (5th from Left) with her team members.

It was indeed a memorable day when I got the news from Mr. Bivujit Mukhoty that I have been selected for International Gold Event, 2014. Since 2006 I have been involved with the Award Programme through the special project named Sri Sarada Math, Rasik Bhita. I felt so fortunate to have travelled in air for the first time and it was really a special moment in my life.

We worked with multinational group of participants with whom we visited different places in Korea to gain insight into the Korean culture. It was during these trips that we came face to face with the diverse challenges faced by Award Leaders within the Korean society. Our trainings were all activity based and were conducted by Mr. John May (Secretary General, The Duke of Edinburg’s International Award Foundation), Rob Oliphant (Regional Programme Manager, Asia Pacific) and Tim Smith (Head of Operations Support and Service Development). Through the sessions we learnt how to work in a team, work as a leader and developed skills for setting up social projects. 

At the end of the global event we prepared a presentation on what we had learnt during the course of the event and were asked to present it to a panel headed by the Earl of Wessex, Prince Edward and many other officials from the International Body of Duke of Edinburg’s Award. Our topic of presentation was based on Environment for which we visited Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) and Otter Research Centres in Hwacheon. It was a red letter day in my life when I came to the DMZ as it was an unbelievable experience standing with the South Korean soldiers. Before coming to IGE I had no knowledge of otters and their importance in our environment. 

India at Glasgow 2014

216-strong team of Indian sportspersons bagged 15 gold, 30 silver & 19 bronze for a total haul of 64 medals to finish fifth overall behind table-toppers England followed by Australia, Canada and hosts Scotland.

India had finished second behind Australia in the 2010 Delhi edition but considering that some disciplines, from which the hosts had won medals, were either dropped or pruned down in Glasgow, it was a great performance by the Indians in the recently concluded Glasgow Games.

As expected, India collected maximum medals from shooting as the marksmen bagged 17 medals including four Golds. The wrestlers though had the maximum gold count (5 gold) with 13 overall medals.

The weightlifters performed above expectations as they bagged 12 medals (3 gold) with India topping the tally in that sport. In judo, India won their biggest haul of four medals  surpassing the two each they had won in both 1990 and 2002.

In hockey, India won their second consecutive silver in the Games after being outclassed by Olympic and world champions Australia 4-0 in the final.

Badminton was another sport which brought the nation laurels with four medals, with one gold bagged by Parupalli Kashyap.

Dipika Pallikal and Joshana Chinappa created history by winning India's first ever gold medal in CWG squash.

These Glasgow games sets a perfect platform for India to prove their worth again and may be go a notch above to win more gold medals at Gold Coast 2018 games. We at International Award for Young People India will continue to take initiatives through our Physical Recreation domain, as we have done for so many years to make India a power house in world sports.

Medal data credit: NDTV Sports

Gold Award Ceremony 2014

On July 7, 2014 International Award for Young People India recognized the hard work, will and strength of

eighty Gold Award winners from across India. The Gold Award Ceremony 2014 was an event to experience and witness the excitement and happiness of youngsters from various schools and foundations who had successfully completed their Gold Award level. 

Former Chief Election Commissioner of India Dr. SY Quraishi had consented to be our chief guest for the event. The event started with our National Director Kapil Bhalla giving a brief report on what IAYP did in the past year and also explained what IAYP India stands for. Mr. Bhalla also took a moment to explain to our Gold Award winners, how this achievement is just the stepping stone for a brighter future and how the Award will help them in their journey. 

The report by our National Director was followed by speeches from our International Gold Event Seoul participants Anwesha Ghosh and Ankit Durga, they utilized their time on the stage by sharing their experience of the Award and how it has transformed their lives for a better future. This was followed by tabla performance by two students from GD Goenka World School, Gurgaon, which left the audience at India International Centre mesmerized.

Finally came the time which each of our eighty participants had been eagerly waiting for, the Annual Gold Award Felicitation Ceremony. Our chief guest Dr. Quraishi presented each participant with Gold Award certificate, badge and tie/scarf. Along with the Gold Award winners, fifteen Award Leaders were also recognized for their long term contribution towards IAYP. 

Dr. SY Quraishi then addressed the audience, where our honorable chief guest talked about his journey through the Ministry of Youth Affairs and various other topics including, Indian Youths and their role towards growth of our country. Then a vote of thanks was delivered by the Chairman of Award Programme Foundation Trust Mr. Himmat Kalsia.

The event ended with a group photograph, where each participant displayed their achievement and shared their excitement and happiness with each other. All in all it was a run away success.