Chemistry behind the success of Award Programme

Neelam Lohiya, Award Leader and a research scholar from Ansal University, Gurgaon is explaining her Chemical Mantra behind the success of the Award Programme.

When collision between the molecules in a chemical reaction takes place, the kinetic energy is utilized to break the necessary bonds so that new bonds can be formed and a new element is formed.

This new element in life was formed when I joined IAYP. I am Neelam Lohiya, a chemistry teacher. My classroom lectures revolve around periodic tables, formulae and chemical reactions. However, I got this opportunity to explore a new chemistry between me and my students, with IAYP; I got associated with the Award in 2012 as a volunteer and Award Leader.

I received a new approach to look at my students, their hidden potential, my subject and over all teaching methods. I felt very strongly that real learning takes place outside the classroom when students are exposed to face challenges and work in teams. While books provide them theory to read, being with them on IAYP trips, excursions, nature walk or volunteering work, allowed me to test their problem solving, team building, critical thinking, communication and listening skills as part of their experiential learning.

The confused, doubtful faces of the younger lot in my classes suddenly looked happy, joyful and exploratory when going on Adventure trips or engaged in the Service section. Whereas earlier they were not ready to absorb the lessons, now they started practicing a skill regularly and I found they were better involved in classroom lectures. In fact, besides my passion for the subject, I also got connected with my interest in craft, environment friendly campaigns, food adulteration projects and first aid services. I found this programme leading to a holistic development of the youth because those who were glued to their books, when they started spending time in the gym, and playing in the grounds for one hour per week as part of their physical recreation, found another world of happiness, meaning to their life and their approach towards learning itself changed.

To me, IAYP in short means Youth Empowerment and Nation Building. Because this is how the success chemistry of IAYP works:

Service+ Skills+ Adventurous Journey+ Physical Recreation+ Residential Project=IAYP

IAYP+ Youth+ Experiential Learning=Success

Success=Nation Building

Award Leader Training (YES) Workshop

The International Award for Young People India organized a two-day Award Leader training workshop on 30th - 31st March 2016 at the Award Training Centre, New Delhi for 19 participants from various Institutions including Birla Vidya Mandir, Nainital; Chinar Public School, Alwar; GD Goenka World School, Gurgaon; Hamro Sankalp Welfare Society, Guwahati; Jodhamal Public School, Jammu; KD Ambani Vidyamandir, Jam Nagar; Mata Jai Kaur Public School, New Delhi; Pinegrove School, Solan; Raphael (for the differently abled), Dehra dun; Selaqui International School, Dehra Dun and The Doon School, Dehra Dun.

In this experience sharing workshop, over the span of two days, the participants were given in-depth knowledge regarding the four domains of the programme i.e. Skills, Service, Physical Recreation and Adventurous Journey and also the Residential Project for the Gold Award Programme. The participants were also introduced to the technical aspects of the programme, which included Risk Management and Online Record Book (ORB).

The workshop was delivered by Kapil Bhalla (National Director), Bivujit Mukhoty (Programme Manager), Priyank Kumar Gupta (Head IT & ORB), Ranjana Rai (Member, National Training Panel) and Pallavi Gill (Member, National Training Panel). The programme concluded with the presentation of participation certificates to the participants by Kapil Bhalla. Click for pictures

My Passion for Music

Utsav Sharma, a Bronze level participant from Amity International School, Vasundhara, Ghaziabad shares how the Award Programme helped him to explore his hidden passion for music and talent for playing the keyboard.

I have always had a passion for playing musical instruments and was encouraged to play an instrument even when I was a child. But somehow or the other, I never developed my talent, nor did I grab any opportunity that came my way. With IAYP coming in my life, everything else changed for the better. For the Skills section of the Award, I decided to take up keyboard playing, since it was my favourite musical instrument. And even before I started taking my first keyboard lesson, I felt the magnetic pull of eighty-eight black and white keys on my fingers.

During the IAYP programme, I received a lot of support and encouragement from my mentors and teachers and learnt how to set my goals and achieve them through consistent and continuous efforts. While earlier I had plenty of free time (which I just wasted), but now, for me, every second counts and I have come to value my time and its usage. I not only enjoy the time spend in learning the keyboard, but I also look forward to attaining my Award and learning a lot of things which will help me in my future. I am very thankful to this Award programme and my school for providing me an opportunity to grow and refine my talent. With the help of this programme, I am confident that I will achieve many milestones which I couldn't have managed on my own. Thank you IAYP for helping me to value myself!

Award Leader Training (YES) Workshop at Award Training Centre, New Delhi

The National Award Authority organized an Award Leader Training Workshop at the Award Training Centre, New Delhi on January 22-23, 2015. The participants included delegates from Sarala Birla Gyan Jyoti, Guwahati, Assam; Kothari International School, Noida, Uttar Pradesh; Him Academy Public School, Hiranagar, Himachal Pradesh; Purukul Youth Development Society, Dehra Dun, Uttarakhand and DLF Public School, Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh. Kapil Bhalla (National Director) started the workshop with an ice-breaking session and then introduced the Award to the participants. Over a span of two days the participants were given in-depth knowledge regarding the four domains of the programme i.e. Skills, Service, Physical Recreation and Adventurous Journey and also the Residential Project for the Gold Award Programme. The participants were also introduced to the technical aspect of the programme, which included Risk Management and Branding. Bivujit Mukhoty (Programme Manager), Priyank Kumar Gupta (Head IT and ORB), Ranjana Rai (Member NTP) and Pallavi Gill (Member NTP) lead the workshop for two days.  The trainers shared their own experience as trainers and Award Leaders and had an engaging discussion with the participants. Click for pictures

Happy Republic Day

Life is a mixture of all colors
And 3 colors means a lot to us
Saffron for courage and sacrifice
White for peace and purity
Green for growth and prosperity
I am proud to be an Indian
A part of such a glorious shining nation