Magnum Opus - Perspective of Journey

Subrat Sharma, Gold Awardee from Jodhamal Public School, Jammu shares his Award Journey from scratch to finish.

“Don’t live life as it is meant to be lived; instead, change its course to harsh and the mildest of condition and then you will see the wonders of life. I remember my thoughts about the Award were limited when I first heard about it. But believing that it would take me to this height was something beyond my imagination. Now as I write about it, I’d try to create the same magic IAYP created in my life."

I still recall that winter morning when I heard the good news that my school had become the first YES Centre in the State. You might think that there was nothing so happening about it, but being the representative of the school I believed that each thing would count. The people would notice my being a part of something big and life changing, though certainly with time they might forget about it but those who would be inspired by what I earn and learn out of it would enroll and benefit by the Award and would always remember.

After that day I thought twice about enrolling myself in the Award programme. I still remember next morning when my dad read the news of my school's becoming a YES Centre and adding a feather in its cap, he turned to me and asked me to be a part of it. His idea was that it would enhance his son's personality making him a good citizen of the country. And the International Award for Young People team and the school boards had already envisioned something that my dad had thought of.

My journey for the Silver Award had begun long before I filled up my book with my life transforming experiences. I took different activities in each section of the Award like skill, service, adventurous journey and physical recreation and it was difficult for me to understand at that time that I was leading myself to a better future. I got my Silver Award successfully after completing all the sections and now I have mastered them but the confidence those learnings created in me is something everlasting and indelible. All the institutions need to realize the fact that if they want their children to shine one day then they should shape their future in a manner when their children leave the school they should attain the highest level of confidence and skill set which becomes an asset to the society.

The day I started my Silver Award journey I realized that it would help me to inculcate all those values that a leader needs to have. And the Gold Award journey helped me to master those skills further. The service I did was like a job for me and the physical recreation activity had that passion which teamwork teaches. I chose football and got an opportunity to be a part of two CBSE clusters and many inter house and inter school matches. I not just learned some brilliant skills but also inculcated certain qualities that shaped my personality for lifelong victory. A different thing which I also mastered during my Residential Project, was how one should handle problems in society. The school had already adopted a village named Ismailpur Khothe in Bishna, Jammu. There I spent a day less than a week and learned how to milk a cow, played cricket with the people, shared with them how science is a leading subject, taught them a few languages, their basics and encouraged them to learn English. Also being in outskirts for that time period, learning things, taking decisions on my own made me a responsible child. There were several adventures which removed my fear and also helped me in developing a sense of team work, kindness, being helpful to others. I have now learned that the Duke of Edinburgh Award has been the best source of learning values, knowing how to be fearless, gaining maturity and adding countless valuable experiences for every youth who has enrolled for it from all around the world. I personally believe that parents should not have a second thought about enrolling their child in the Award. Board members of different institutions should benefit their students with these kinds of activities for wholesome development of their institution and certainly one day the students would be thankful to them for it is something that turns one into an altogether better version of themselves.

The day was special when I received my Gold Award although I was anxious and was flooded with many thoughts. How changed was I in terms of all that I had inculcated? Was I the same? Or had I still to grow and learn more within? Finding answers to these questions I lead my way to the hall, stepping onto the stairs, looking at the stage where I would be standing in a while receiving my award; that feeling was something I can’t put into words though I’m sure it’s something everyone would want to be a part of.

It was a memorable day for me when I received my Gold Award from Raja Randhir Singh Ji, former Olympic-level trap and skeet shooter and now the sports administrator. He is currently the sole representative of India in the International Olympic Committee. He is also the recipient of the prestigious Arjuna Award in 1979.

IAYP has sharpened my personality and my skills way beyond my own imagination. I am thankful to IAYP and would want to be a part of it all my life.

IAYP Adventure Camp To Koti (Kufri)

Bronze and Silver Award participants from Jodhamal Public School, Jammu completed their Adventurous Journey at Koti (Kufri) in Himachal Pradesh from 24th to 29th of March 2016. Vandana and Poonam, two mentors from the school share a report about their Award Journey with us.

In our interconnected and wired world, the youth is increasingly tethered to their digital devices, working tirelessly to maintain their digital profiles. As social as these exercises may seem, they are in fact becoming more of a way to isolate oneself and stunt social interactivity, rather than as a tool to encourage it. An Adventure camp, with a meaningful purpose and a goal, was the finest idea which was planned for their respite and change in their outlook of the world.

This camp was organized for the Bronze and Silver level participants along with other students of classes VII-IX to Koti (Kufri) in Himachal Pradesh.

On 24th March, 78 students including 18 Award participants escorted by 8 mentors under the supervision of S. Ganguly left the premises of Jodhamal Public School at 10 PM, to reach Chandigarh at 5:30 the next morning. With a sumptuous breakfast at Chandigarh, the team moved ahead for Koti, which took almost four and a half hours.

The camp in Koti was set amidst the lush green hilly areas and had the most amazing panoramic view. Swiss Tents were set up to provide a conducive environment for the participants. Various activities were designed in camp to have fun and provide direct learning experiences. Spaced out within a span of 4 days the participants enjoyed a new found independence away from home and beyond regular text books.

The participants were taken for mountain trekking approximately 2200ft above the sea level. The Trainers first gave an enlightening lecture on various adventure activities, rope courses, equipment usage, tent pitching and trekking and then demonstrated use of various equipment’s during mountain trekking and setting up a tent. The Adventure camp shifts the focus away from the individual, and teaches campers to be more selfless and become better team players.

Learning team and individual goal setting, conflict resolution, and overcoming challenge have led to improved individual confidence and self-worth. Campers like Ishita Sharma of Silver Level and Ashwin Suri of Bronze Level expressed their feelings of increased self-confidence, and a stronger sense of their own individuality.

The participants were given thrilling and unforgettable experiences of different adventure activities like Burma Bridge crossing, Bamboo Bridge crossing, Commando Bridge, Bush craft, Zip line, Jumaring, Rope Valley crossing, night trekking and camp fire. Every activity tried the strength and flexibility of the participants and taught them to sustain themselves in the toughest conditions and improved their endurance levels.

We all heard participants proudly exclaim, “Look what can I do!” This proclamation of accomplishment came from doing something they hadn't done before and gained the confidence to do it again. Participants and mentors alike build their self-esteem and self confidence by challenging their fears and doubts and winning in this adventurous journey.

A short leisure trip was also organized to Shimla (Mall Road) where the participants discovered and bought various Indian articrafts in the Lakkad bazaar.

These adventure camp activities have led to decrease in childhood adjustments, anxiety issues, and social inhibitions that manifest themselves silently in the child. By the culmination of the camp we had unfurled various leaders among the youth. Many had learnt teamwork and all possible phobias were done away with. Parents affirmed this camp to be a wholesome experience for their wards and wanted them to be a part of such activities in the future on a more consistent basis. Click for Pictures

My Days with the Award

The Young People of today are vocal. They want to talk about their experiences, their likes and dislikes and interests. The Award Programme encourages Young People to speak their minds. Let us hear from Dev Suri, Gold Award Holder about his experiences...

I am immensely grateful to my school Jodhamal Public School, Jammu for initiating me and motivating me to participate in the IAYP programme. After going through assorted adventurous journeys, village visits, conducting events and developing distinct skills I was beginning to see myself as a teacher or trainer in the IT sector.

It was a memorable day for me when I received the prestigious Gold Award in 2014 at Delhi, awarded by former Chief Election Commissioner of India, Dr SY Qureshi .Throughout the programme I welcomed the exposure to different lifestyles via the village visits and developed a positive perspective towards the development of society - overcoming the negative attitude that I had earlier. I realized that it is programmes like the IAYP that really make the difference and challenge others with the question: "If we can, then why can't you?", thus creating a web of people who care for preserving the ecosystem. I myself motivate others to take up this programme which helps in the development of life skills and as a way to render services to the society at a young age.

All around us we see that the growing corruption, scams, violence and other issues have created pessimism in people; but these are the people who mostly stand and stare. It is time for the young minds of our nation to take some action by being a part of this programme, for nurturing optimism towards the eradication of such evils, for developing a character or combination of skills and emotions that will create better human beings as light of hope for our planet. It is necessary to realign our perspective towards life and to find the meaning of our existence in the ecosystem, to strive for the betterment of our future and conservation of environment and its inhabitants, and this is where the IAYP programme has definitely helped me, because a change of perspective is all it takes to see the light.

IAYP Award Ceremony and Workshop at Jodhamal Public School

On 23rd May 2015 Award Presentation Ceremony for The International Award for Young People (IAYP) was held in Jodhamal Public School, Jammu. The honourable chief guest Bivujit Mukhoty (Programme Manager Award Programme Foundation) was welcomed by Trilok Singh Bist (Principal) along with Monika Sethi (Vice -Principal). Shallu Sharma (School coordinator for IAYP) introduced the chief guest, who inspite of the busy schedule consented to grace the occasion, which was succeeded by the invocation and welcome note by the IAYP students followed by knowledgeable and inspiring address by the chief guest wherein he highlighted the importance and impact of the award on youth. He emphasized that the sole objective of the award is character building and empowerment of youth so that they develop ability, focus and determination for any type of achievement and to face any challenge in the real world. The chief guest facilitated and appreciated the four silver and sixteen bronze awardees. The award ceremony was followed by the various cultural items prepared by IAYP students. They presented enchanting dance performances, inspiring and motivating nukkad natak on women empowerment and exhibited thought provoking paintings. Their work was appreciated by all and had instill desire, confidence and enthusiasm in the minds of aspiring students to join IAYP.  The programme was concluded by vote of thanks by Shallu Sharma.  Bivujit Mukhoty and Shallu Sharma also introduced the Award Programme to the new aspirants and briefed the Award philosophy and structure to them. The entire workshop had instilled desire, confidence and enthusiasm among the new participants.  Click here for more pictures

Experience of IAYP...

Shivani Verma, from Jodhamal Public School, Jammu shares her Silver Journey experience with the Award family.
Since childhood I have been interested in painting and it was thanks to the IAYP that I had a platform to display my talent which was widely appreciated by my teachers. I have always been a shy person but participating in the IAYP programme helped me overcome my shyness and also prove my worth as a good artist. IAYP activities helped me hone all spheres of my personality from my speaking skills to confidence level.  So, I am really thankful for this great opportunity through which I discovered my true potential as a person as well as an artist.
Even the adventure camps opened new horizons for me because of which I came closer to nature, capturing through my paintings, the beauty that I saw around me. I hope you appreciate my paintings and feelings behind it.  And the credit obviously goes to IAYP. IAYP taught me to "Dream big and be realistic because the sky has no limit".

Returning home

Ayushi Atri, Silver Award holder from Jodhamal Public School, Jammu took up painting as her Skill.  Ayushi shared some of her paintings with us.  In her own words, Ayushi describes one of the paintings which she is sharing with the Award family.
This beautiful piece of art describes the scene after sunset..... when all the birds and other creatures are returning to their homes after the sunset....... this painting tells us the importance of home when all the creatures return to their homes after a full day of hard work for their family. Everyone feels a sense of safety in their home...... so this painting tells us the importance of shelter for every creature through a midnight scene after dusk when all the birds are flying back to their shelter, taking food or to meet their loved ones.

Click here to see more paintings