IGE Diary - Pallavi Gill

The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award held its 50th International Gold Event in Prague, the Czech Republic from the 25th to the 30th of October. I was fortunate enough to represent the International Award for Young People, India at this meet.

Beginning with the opening ceremony, to the finale closing ceremony, my journey at IGE has been a huge learning experience. My team of six and I worked on the Project named, ‘Let’s overcome barriers!’ We worked on how the Award could be incorporated to improve the lives of individuals with spinal cord injuries. The organization that we visited for our fieldwork was Centrum Paraple. The world-class facilities and peaceful ambience at the organization was overwhelming. Studying their organization and also playing wheelchair rugby and football taught us of the challenges one faces on a wheelchair. And, after our hours of dedication into the project, our project was selected among the three winning project proposals! From gulping down breakfast at 6:30 am, to rushing to hop on and off the local transportation in the city, to late night discussions on project presentation and report, IGE has taught me so many valuable virtues such as teamwork, leadership, time management and most importantly, to have fun and challenge myself.

I would like to thank The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award Foundation for providing us, the Gold Award Holders of various countries, the platform to enlighten ourselves with various skills during the IGE; The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award Czech Republic, for their undivided care and support that made our stay throughout the IGE comfortable; and IAYP India, for providing me with this opportunity to represent the organization.

 

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.

IGE Rep - Pallavi Gill

My Award journey began when I was in standard 9. The thing that attracted me the most about this Award is that there is no competition. Achievements are usually recognized till the third position in most events. But, not in the Award. The Award recognizes an individual's improvement and hard work according to their capabilities. Due to the Award I began playing sports and soon I excelled in it. Academics was my weakness. I was constantly advised by my worried parents and teachers to work on my studies as my Board Examinations were coming up. That was until I excelled in my Board Examination too. I am presently studying in Delhi University and I have been scoring a First Division in all my papers. The Award teaches you qualities that are unmeasurable, such as perseverance, hard work, time management, confidence, etc. And, when these qualities are imbibed, they make us grow. The Award develops not only us but also the community. I have achieved the Bronze, Silver and Gold Award. But my journey doesn't end there, I began interning at the Award office in New Delhi, and soon became an Award Leader and now I am a member of the National Training Panel. Even after I completed my Gold Award, I still had many fears, such as my fear of speaking. At a National Training Workshop, I was suddenly asked to speak. A thousand excuses came into my head to walk away. Until a tiny voice in my head said, “Why don't you give it a try?” I stammered. I shivered. I was scared. But, that's what the Award teaches us, make a thousand mistakes if you have to, but never give up! And this is what the Award has taught me, to challenge my fears!

The International Gold Event (IGE) 2017

25th October – 30th October 2017 at Prague, Czech Republic The International Gold Event (IGE) has evolved over the years into an advanced training programme on soft skills, service projects and cultural exchange events, and now focusing on leadership development for its delegates. This year, this much-awaited event, IGE-2017 will be held in Prague, Czech Republic, on the theme of “Engaging a younger generation in our sustainable future”. The Foundation is working on creating a provocative programme, planning field visits to provide delegates with the opportunity to discuss the challenges faced by young people, and deciding the effective application of the Award for a sustainable future within their local, national, regional and global communities. Gold Award holders are encouraged to plan their applications to participate in this mega event. Application form is available here. More details on IGE-2017 can be obtained from www.intaward.org.