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.

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.

Gold Award Ceremony 2017 - A brief note

This year's Gold Award Ceremony was organised on 20th July 2017 at the India International Centre, New Delhi. The National Award Authority (NAA) took immense pride in felicitating the Gold Award Holders, Award Leaders and Volunteers. 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.

This year the National Award Authority was privileged to invite Dr Vivek Raghavan, Chief Technology Officer, Team Indus as the Chief Guest and Sue Walker, Asia Pacific Regional Director of The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award, who graced the occasion with their presence.

The host and compere for the ceremony was Ranjana Rai, 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 the Chief Guest and all the Awardees, Award Leaders and Parents. Mr. Kapil Bhalla, National Director, had the privilege to welcome the Chief Guest Dr. Vivek Raghavan, Regional Director Asia Pacific Sue Walker, Himmat Kalsia (Chairman, APF), Dr. Sanat Kaul (Managing Trustee, APF), Vinay Sheel Oberoi (Member Trustee) and Vice Admiral SP Govil (Retd.) Former Trustee and National Chairman. This welcome address was followed by honouring the school principals who were there to grace the occasion. Mr Bhalla welcomed and congratulated Naina Lakhanpal, Principal, Him Academy, Vikas Nagar, Hamirpur; Dr R. D. Thakur, Principal, K.C. Public School, Jammu; Vivek Gautam, Principal, OP Jindal School, Raigarh; Skand Bali, Principal, G D Goenka World School, Gurugram; Major General TPS Waraich, Director, Yadavindra Public School, Mohali; Vikaram Singh, Bursar, Yadavindra Public School, Patiala; Jorawar Singh, Principal, Cambridge International School, Phagwara; Aditya Kumar Sharma, Principal, SYNA International School, Katni and Wing Cdr Ranjit Kumar Mandal for their invaluable support and contribution to the Award Programme, and presented them the Friendship Badge.

A variety of entertainment performances were presented by Award Participants, commencing with a group dance by Award participants of ISPG sponsored Special Project at Sri Sarada Math, Baladband, West Bengal. This was followed by a solo classical dance performance by Shubhangee Goel, Award Participant from Delhi Public School, NTPC Vidyut Nagar.

Sharing some of the memorable and life transforming moments from the diaries of Gold Awardees, which will inspire the Gold Award achievers, is another important event, and Pallavi Gill and Md Imran, both Gold Award Holders, who are representing India at the International Gold Event, 2017 to be held from 25th October – 30th October 2017 at Prague, Czech Republic shared their life transforming experiences with the house.

National Director Kapil Bhalla addressed the audience, sharing information of the progress of the Award. He outlined future plans that have been designed to spread the Award Programme to untouched areas of the country. Kapil Bhalla also highlighted the achievements of the Gender Diversity and Empowerment Project run by IAYP India under ISPG Grant.

The National Director's speech was followed by the Award Presentation Ceremony where the Chief Guest Dr Vivek Raghavan handed the Gold Certificates to the participants while Sue Walker honoured a select group of Award Leaders with Special and Voluntary Service Meritorious Certificates.

The Chief Guest, in his speech, congratulated all the Awardees and Award Leaders for their success. Sharing some life experiences, the story behind participating in Google Lunar X Prize, and other details about #harindiankamoonshot with the audience.

The Gold Award Holders of Sri Sarada Math presented Rakhi to the guests. These Rakhis were made by the participants under the Skill Development programme of ISPG sponsored Gender Diversity Empowerment Project at Sri Sarada Math, Baladband, West Bengal.

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

The IAYP thank the Chief Guest, Regional Director, 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.

Award Leader Training (YES) Workshop

Award Training Centre, New Delhi

An Award Leader Training Workshop was organised on 11th - 12th August 2017 at the Award Training Centre, New Delhi. The workshop was attended by 17 participants from Renok Adventures LLP, New Delhi; Sree Vidyanikethan International School, Tirupati; Sapphire International School, Ranchi; Lancers International School, Gurugram; Chanderbala Modi Academy, Ankleshwar; Vidya Sanskar International School, Faridabad; Pathways World School, Gurugram; Indirapuram Public School, Indirapuram, Ghaziabad; INME Learning, Gurugram; Indian School of Management & Entrepreneurship, Mumbai; ITM Global School, Gwalior; The Ardee School, Gurugram; and J P International School, Greater Noida.

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 and Brand Pack and Web resources. The workshop was led by Kapil Bhalla (National Director), Bivujit Mukhoty (Programme Manager), Priyank Kumar Gupta (Head IT and ORB) and Pratibha Kumari Singh (Member, National Training Panel). After completion of the workshop participants were recognised with certificates. Mr. Jorawar Singh, Principal Cambridge International School, Phagwara graced the facilitation ceremony and honoured the Award Leaders. Click here for the pictures

IGE Rep - Md Imran

I belong to a middle class family that lives near a slum area in Kolkata, West Bengal. When I was at karate school, my friends urged me to get into the International Award for Young People. My friends advised me that the Award programme would give me an opportunity to engage with my community and my surroundings, and would help me to improve my community and society. I looked forward to acquiring a better knowledge of skills, social and physical activities; above all, I wanted to be a part of a programme that encouraged the youth. In the year 2004 I received my Bronze Award and in the year 2010, I received my Gold Award from the Vice President of India. I have thoroughly enjoyed completing all the sections during my Award journey. I also attended an Award Leader Training Workshop in Purukul, Dehradun in the year 2011. I have been a part of a video film made by a group of journalists who came from the International Award Foundation (IAF) in the UK to visit the Special Projects Units at Ramakrishna Mission Blind Boys' Academy, Emmanuel Ministries and Sir Syed group of schools, Kolkata. I have participated in many camps organised for these Special Project Units and intellectually challenged Awardees and blind boys. During the six-year journey from Bronze to Gold my life and my vision have changed. The Award made me, and gave me knowledge, skill, and mental strength as well as broad-minded thinking. I think in this past year the Award educated me to live like a good human being, with all the powers in my hands and ability to perform skills, the humanity and compassion for doing service and an appropriate vision with good thoughts and ideas. The Award gives us the opportunity to grip the chance to continue life after Gold, but I have made my own choice: I love nature, mountains, mountain-hacking and mountain climbing so I started to give a professional shape to my mountaineering career. I have completed my basic, advanced and method of instructions course from one of the finest institutes, NIM with A grading. Still, I am continuing my support to the Award by mentoring for the Adventurous Journey organised by NAA for the Special Projects participants. In the year 2016 I become a member of the National Training Panel. I have the enthusiasm to be a part of the Award and continue my pursuit of excellence and service to this amazing Award programme.

Steps towards Service

Sidhartha Sen Gupta from Miles Bronson Residential School (MBRS), Borjhar, Guwahati is sharing a report on the Service Section.

Award participants along with Award Leaders and Mentors from MBRS visited the Missionaries of Charity, Old Age Home in Khanamukh, Guwahati on 15th June 2016 as a part of their Service project. We all were very curious and excited to visit the people over there. We had a good interactive session with the residents of the Old Age Home. We were touched by the sensitive attitudes of these homeless older people, who shared their thoughts and feelings with all of us. Indeed, they poured their hearts out and we were all touched by their stories. They made us feel a kinship, as if we are also a part of their life! We have learned that it’s the adaptability to the environment that is one of the strongest characteristics of a human being. The people we visited there were the epitome of camaraderie, united although all were from different backgrounds, they were happy and ready to lead a better life.

We were amazed to see that through our interaction many hearts were rejuvenated! They treated us as their own children by forgetting their sorrows and worries. It was a fabulous experience to see how happy they all were and made us realise that grandparents and parents are gifts of God, which should be preserved with love and care.

We promised them to visit again and again on a regular basis. We are thankful to our school fraternity for their whole hearted support and guidance and also for bestowing us an opportunity to extend ourselves to others’ needs, to turn their ‘Tears into Smiles’.

The Programme Creates Great Leaders

Pathways World School, Aravali organised a special IAYP assembly to honour and recognise the Bronze participants. Samanata Prashant and Mansi Agarwal, Bronze Award holders share the report with us.

The International Award for Young People, India (IAYP) delivering the The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award was introduced to the students of Grade 9 in November 2016. Sixty-five students enrolled for the Bronze Level of the Award – which is also the entry level. The programme requires successful completion of the four components of Skills, Adventurous Journey, Service and Physical Recreation. The Bronze Award journey culminated in our achievements not only being carried out but also diligently recorded and meticulously validated by our adult mentors and then approved by the IAYP office. The manifestation of this elaborate exercise was in the form of the IAYP Assembly, which was a special occasion to recognise our skills/achievements.

The room was filled with bliss and excitement as all the awardees walked proudly onto the stage with their Certificates and Badges. After receiving the certificates, there were performances by the students of Grade 9. Displaying great talent, a few of the Award recipients enlightened the crowd with their experience of this journey. The enthralling musical performances, mesmerising dance and mind blowing beatboxing left the crowd spell bound. The proud Award holders will soon continue to take a step forward to achieve the Silver Level. We were congratulated by our Director and Principal motivating us to further take forward this journey and achieve Silver and Gold in the coming years ahead.

This programme brings up great leaders and teaches them to train themselves into independent and balanced individuals. At the Bronze level, we completed 4 components, which required a lot of persistence, effort and willingness. Here at Pathways World School, we get different opportunities to complete all these aspects by unleashing the Adventurous side in us by being a part of the Annual Adventure Camps. As we have Physical education lessons, the students worked on their sport for their physical activity component. For the Service component, the student chooses various ways through which they could help the community and do good for their society. Some students helped keep the school building clean during the breaks, some taught the underprivileged, while others helped in the library and most of us also worked at the Eye camp. Nonetheless, all of them learned something new and it was a good exposure. For Skills, students choose their hobbies and the field they are interested in and worked on them.

We feel really blessed to be offered the Award Programme which has an international recognition and has instilled in us great leadership skills. This was a great platform to showcase our talent in the best way forward.

Football Rani (Queen)

Kalyani Chakraborty, Award Leader Manav Vikash High School, Jharkhand (Special Project) sharing an inspiring story of Rani Ravidas - her journey to become the Football Queen.

Rani Ravidas is a well-known name for football lovers of Jharkhand. Rani represents the Jharkhand Women Football Team.

Rani comes from a small village, Nautandi, near Telco Town, Jamshedpur. Rani’s father Dal Gobinda Ravidas is a farmer and mother Reboti Ravidas is a housewife. Rani is the fourth daughter out of the seven children: five daughters, and two sons. Rani’s sisters married long ago, but Rani refused to marry so that she could complete her studies and fulfill her passion of playing football.

Rani’s love for football started when she was only 10 years old. She started playing football with the boys of her locality. The people of her village did not accept it and questioned how a girl could play football. Rani’s family also worried about her passion, but her mother knew that she is different than other girls and encouraged her to play the game. Her mother told her to “be a good player, be a big personality." Rani's only encouragement was her mother's inspiration. Her mother might not have heard the expression “Women empowerment” but she felt it and expressed it completely. This was a big support for Rani and she decided to do what she wants to do. She started practicing football’s cut and throw every day, and that has made all the difference. She says, “From the very beginning I was quite determined that if I chose a correct and a rational path the others around me would have to change, not I.”

She completed her Matric from Manav Vikas High School in 2012. Nautandi, her village is very far from the school and is not connected to the metallic road. Despite the many difficulties Rani faced, she was very regular at school, her motivation being to complete her studies and practice football.

Rani enrolled in the Award programme in 2010 for the Bronze Level. She successfully achieved the Bronze and has now started her Gold Award journey. Currently, she is studying for her under-grad at Graduate College in Jamshedpur.

Rani looks like a very easy going village girl, but she has a spark. She did not compromise her passion to poverty, illiteracy, and superstitions. She has a very strong will power. Rani’s iron will and mental toughness characterise her. One day, during her under-grad course, she set off to Dibrugarh for the Inter-University Women Football Competition. During the competition she got the news that her mother had fallen seriously ill and was asking her to come back home to be with her during her last few hours. Rani knew that if she stayed back, her team would lose the match. She took her mother's permission and blessings and went for the match. As she reached Dibrugarh the next day, she got the news of her mother’s demise. This was the saddest moment in her life. But this brave girl gathered courage and played her best. The Jharkhand Women Team won the match. Rani says, “I played with only one thought, that I have promised my mother that we will win. I have to give my best to win the match and I did so.”

Rani is a very busy footballer. She has represented her university and state in different competitions. Everyone knows that if Rani is on the team, the Jharkhand’s Women Football team would be the winning side. Rani is now preparing herself for the upcoming Federation Cup.

Rani has become a role model for girls in her village Nautandi, and she is now called Football Rani (Queen).

Gold Award Ceremony 2017 - July 20th

 

Achieving a Gold Award is one of the biggest milestones of your life. It shows that you have the ability, focus and determination to achieve your set goals and pursue them with passion and perseverance. It shows that you have done your share to achieve all-round development and at the same time are open to learn from what the future has to offer. Therefore, it is imperative that you celebrate this achievement with others and The Gold Award Ceremony is designed to celebrate this achievement of yours.

We are happy to announce that the Annual Gold Award Ceremony 2017 will be organised on July 20, 2017 at India International Centre, New Delhi.

We cordially invite you to join this celebration and you will soon receive an invite to GAC 2017. It goes without saying that your presence will make this event memorable and successful.

Please note that the last date for Record Book submission is 5th June, 2017.

Showcasing IAYP at ST Mary’s School, Safdarjung Enclave

St. Mary's School, Safdarjung Enclave, Delhi organises biannual IAYP Showcasing. This year the event was organised on 23rd February 2017. Tanishakha Singh, Bronze Award, shares a report on this event.

At St. Mary’s Safdarjung Enclave, Delhi, IAYP is equivalent to celebrating a variety of skill sets, and the biannual showcasing is the time when all IAYP Participants come together to showcase their spirit and valour. On 23rd February, 2017, we came together and co-created this space to collaborate and represent our newly learned skills sets, our immersion with the community, and our physical fitness through various creative means.

To celebrate this occasion with us we had Prof Sumangala Damodaran, Dean of the School of Development Studies, Ambedkar University, Delhi and Mr. Kapil Bhalla, National Director, IAYP. The different clubs used a designated space within the school campus, and they used this creatively to depict their learning. To boost our motivation, our parents were also present.

The presentations were all done by the students and so was the coordination, ushering and compering, therefore, this gave us an idea the idea that not only helped to hone our leadership skills but also student participation and teamwork. The ushers Devanshi Sharma and Deepti Ghosh led the gathering of guests to various locations to display the work.

The photography club had displayed various pictures clicked by the students and Silver level Participant Chirag Wadhwa led the group in explaining the meaning of various photographs; we received wide acclaim from the guests. The physical recreation group presented a rare display of kinaesthetic and psychomotor abilities clubbed with complex coordination.

The crafts clubs had used simple media to depict illustrations in the works of Devdutt Patnaik, it was interesting to see the works displayed through folders that were very handy for usage. The painting group had presented some interesting creations on one of the school walls and the young artists explained its importance to all. The sculpture skills group presented their creations, which were amazingly carved out faces. The faces were presented in a very interesting manner by the group.

The western music group, Hindustani vocals and instrumental and dance clubs made their presentation in the auditorium. Bronze Awards and Silver Award Participants Retika, Nitiksha and Juveriya were instrumental in binding together the various club performances and presentations.  The Hindustani vocals and instrumentals presented a very motivating song by Indian People’s Theatre Association.

The community service group had presented a very impacting and strong play on the farmers’ issue, which is highly relevant to the current context; the most hard hitting lines were, “we all aspire to become, doctors etc, but we do not realise that it is farmers that we need the most for our sustainability.” This way they stressed on the need for dealing with the farmer suicides and debates. The ecology club had set up an assortment of techniques to spread organic lifestyle, for instance, there was a demonstration of extracting rose syrup and using the same for flavouring rassgulla. These techniques are highly useful for arresting climate change and environmental degradation.

Later our guest of honour Prof. Damodaran, who is a prominent figure in the performance arts circle led the group to sing “jhoom jhoom ke nacho gao” which was highly motivating for us. At the end we were served some wonderful dishes made by the cooking club.

The showcasing gave a great impetus to our energy and more and motivated us to continue to aspire for larger and more challenging goals. Click here for pictures....

Award Leader Reflections on the Award

Mayank, Snow Leopard Adventures Pvt. Ltd., Gurgaon 

"I had absolutely no idea what this Award was all about before I joined it. I credit the organisation that I have been associated with that led me to join this Award Programme as an Award Leader. I can firmly say that the things I do in my life are similar with the working of IAYP, but now that I have received my Award Leader Training, I understand and appreciate the programme."

Pramjeet Kaur, TGT Science, Sat Paul Mittal School, Ludhiana 

"Attending this two-day IAYP workshop was an enlightening experience for me. As teachers and educators, it's very easy for us to make complaints about the issues faced by us in classroom settings. But after attending this workshop, I feel that most of the issues could be addressed if we can empower, equip and engage our students through this Programme. I feel, through this Programme, the youth will not only be able to identify their own potential and hone their skills to sustain livelihood but would also be able to channelise their energies collectively to lead the whole nation on the path of progress. This programme would give the right platform to channelise the youth of India and provide them the opportunities for growth."

Award Leader Reflections on the Award

Ritu Bhargava from Chinar Public School, Alwar spoke about how the Award helps young people discover themselves and unleash their potential. 

"Attending this workshop has really been very enlightening for me to understand how harnessing young people's energy could bring transformational changes in them, and is a constructive use of time. I firmly believe that if I can make young people of my area associated with the Award, they would be better, improved people and it will not only help them find their means of learning but also help them discover themselves and realise their potential to achieve a higher sense of satisfaction and allow them to lead a better life. It will definitely inculcate in them a sense of responsibility towards society and its needs."