Award Leader Training (YES) Workshop

Award Training Centre, New Delhi

An Award Leader Training Workshop was organised on 23rd - 24th February, 2018 at the Award Training Centre, New Delhi. The workshop was attended by 18 participants from Billabong High International School, Kanpur; Mayo College Girls' School, Ajmer; Sri Sri Academy, Kolkata; Sunbeam English School, Varanasi; Sunbeam Suncity (Schools & Hotels), Varanasi; Vidyagyan School-Sikandrabad, District-Bulandshahr; Mayoor School, Ajmer; Oakridge International School,Bachupally, Hyderabad; St Teresa School - Indirapuram, Ghaziabad; MM International School, Jabalpur; and C. L. Gupta World School, Moradabad.

The workshop 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, Brand Pack and ORB. The workshop was led by Bivujit Mukhoty (Programme Manager), Priyank Kumar Gupta (Head IT and ORB), Ranjana Rai (Member NTP) and Pallavi Gill (Member, National Training Panel and India Youth Rep). Click here for the pictures

Welcoming New Team Members

We are happy to welcome Pallavi Gill (IGE Rep), Bhagyasree Sengupta and Sasi Kiran to IAYP India team as Programme Assistants. Pallavi is based at New Delhi and will support the Institutions in Northern India. Bhagyasree Sengupta is based at Kolkata and will support Eastern India. Sasi Kiran is based at Chennai and will be supporting Southern India. Contact details of all three are given in Contact Us below.

My Experience with IAYP

Khushi K Shah, a Silver Award holder from The Bhawanipur Gujarati Education Society School, Kolkata received his Silver Award from John May - Secretary-General on 7th December 017. Khushi is sharing her Award experience with us.

I just heard a cracking sound and fell to the ground while playing Cricket Match. I had a major fracture and had to undergo a knee surgery in the month of February. After the operation, the pain of physiotherapy did not affect me much but I was tensed whether I would be able to complete my Silver level of IAYP or not! I was not able to walk properly for a month because of the four screws in my knee joint. IAYP has taught me to remain positive, to pursue and to develop perseverance. I was determined to stand, to walk and to be normal, before the operation. I have attended all my Aerobics classes and my guide made my exercises in the beginning by sitting. She always highlighted positivity and kept stimulating me to perform in all four levels of IAYP as well as in academics. I never was thought of undertaking

two expeditions within six months of my operation but I did both of them successfully. I walked like a tortoise but was happy to cover all the aspects of the adventurous journey.

The day I received the Certificate from Mr. John May, I thought that’s my reward to struggle against all odds. He told us the story of a bird who thought of flying and I felt the same when I wanted to fly like a bird while lying on a hospital bed. IAYP is my soul mate, who makes me feel happy within, enhances my confidence; ignites my mind and moral. It is my driving force of life. My Award Leader always tells us to remember the proverb “A friend in need is a friend indeed”. Now I believe to the fullest that the Programme of IAYP is my best friend who has supported me to come out from the agony of pain through a journey of willpower and motivation. It made me more focused to improve myself.

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.