NATIONAL TRAINING WORKSHOP AT JODHAMAL PUBLIC SCHOOL, JAMMU

14th - 15th February 2014

The NAA organised a two-day National Training Workshop (NTW) at Jodhamal Public School, Jammu from 14th - 15th February 2014.  Twenty Award Leaders from 12 different institutions participated in the workshop.  The workshop was inaugurated by Kapil Bhalla (National Director) and Trilok Singh Bisht (Principal, Jodhamal Public School, Jammu).  Mr Bisht welcomed all the delegates and the lamp of knowledge was lit.  Kapil Bhalla introduced the NAA team and gave a brief on the Award Programme. 

Bivujit Mukhoty (Programme Manager) led the first session on the Award Philosophy and Framework. He detailed the importance of the four pillars of the Award i.e. Skills, Service, Physical Recreation and Adventurous Journey and the requirements for each section of the Award.  Pratibha Kumari Singh (Member, National Training Panel) led the Service section and explained the need for social inclusion in the Programme. This session was followed by the Skills Sections in which Bivujit Mukhoty explained the different Skills-related activities.  The Physical Recreation session was led by Kapil Bhalla, who involved the participants in a practical exercise which they enjoyed.  The last session for the day was on the Brand Guide in which Bivujit Mukhoty detailed the Branding guidelines in respect to the Award programme. 

The next day started with a review of the previous day's activities, followed by the sessions on Adventurous Journey and Risk Management mentored by Bivujit Mukhoty.  There was a session on Residential Project in which Kapil Bhalla detailed the project requirements for the Gold aspirants.  Bivujit Mukhoty also took sessions on Volunteering and the benefits of the Award.  In the post lunch session there was a review session which was followed by a Q&A session in which the participants raised queries that the NAA team resolved.  The workshop concluded with the presentation of the Certificates to the participants by Trilok Singh Bisht. Click for pictures

A VISIT TO EKPRAYAS - A SCHOOL FOR CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS

30th January 2014 - Cambridge International School, Phagwara: A report

On January 30, 2014 we - the Award participants of Cambridge International School, Phagwara visited Ek Prayas - A school for children with special needs, in Ludhiana. It was a pleasant surprise to see how the expectations of a simple place were replaced by the reality of a vibrant, heart warming, and welcoming environment. The teachers of the school introduced us to the children, who smiled with sparkling and curious eyes as we interacted with them. It isn't possible for these children to get the same education as other children, but they are provided with everything according to their needs. We met children who aspire to be cricketers, singers, dancers etc.. Some of the students amongst us had prepared a song and dance to entertain the children and help us get to know them and encourage their trust. As the activities progressed, we noticed them losing their reservations and approaching us more confidently and interacting with us. We were astonished to encounter such happy and lively kids who we could get along with easily. And we were even more surprised to see how they warmed up to us on our very first visit. Once we left the school, we really felt like we were leaving new friends behind. 

The experience was, without the shadow of a doubt one of the most rewarding and fulfilling. It was a day spent between fun and interactions; by the end of the visit, we had learned most of their names. It is an understatement to say that time passed quickly; when we realized we had to go, it was well after the time we had intended to leave. With some final words with their teachers, we parted with the promise to return and the eagerness to do so.

We can happily say that this visit would prove to be a milestone to our ultimate goal. Getting to know these wonderful children, in a sense, will help us achieve our goal of contributing to their education, which is the only real legacy any person could hope to leave to another. Not only that, we are also certain that we will be learning a lot from them as well, including experiences about life such as being grateful and being genuinely happy with what we have.

Last but not the least, we would like to give a special thanks to our Principal Mr. Jorawar Singh and teachers Ms. Manju Verma and Mr. Rajat Bhaskar for organizing this superlative visit to Ekprayas and for guiding us the entire way. Also thanks to Mrs.Samira Bector founder member and the staff of Ekprayas, for motivating us to interact with the children and encouraging us to be a positive role model in their lives. 

-- Rupinderjit Kaur (Bronze Award Holder)

Click for pictures

PROGRAMME MANAGER'S VISIT TO GOVERNMENT SCHOOLS OF PUNJAB

28th - 31st January 2014

The Award Programme was initiated by the Chief Minister Shri Prakash Singh Badal, who adopted the Programme for all government schools of Punjab. IAYP Programme Manager Bivujit Mukhoty visited the schools between 28th and 31st January 2014. Snehlata Ahuja (Dy. Director, Education Department of Punjab) and Ravinder Singh (District Education Officer) accompanied Bivujit Mukhoty during this trip. 

The tour commenced with a visit to a remote village, 40 kms from Bhatinda city, where the team visited the Government Sports School, Ghudda. The team met with the Principal and Award Leaders of the school to discuss the challenges in running the Award. The team visited two more schools, the Government Senior Secondary School and Adarsh Senior Secondary School, Bhagu and discussed the progress of Award Programme in these schools. 

The next visit was to the Govt. Senior Secondary School - Sivian, which was followed by Govt. Senior Secondary School - Talwandi and Govt. Senior Secondary School - Bhaipura. These three schools are running the Award Programme successfully and there is considerable enthusiasm about the programme among the Award Leaders and the participants.

At Muktser district the team stayed at the Home for the Old. They got an opportunity to interact with senior citizens, gaining a new perspective that the Home can provide ample opportunity for Gold aspirants to complete their Residential Project.

On the 30th the team visited 4 schools in Badal village - Mata Jaswant Kaur Memorial School, Dashmesh Girls Senior Secondary School, Govt. Senior Secondary School, Badal and Government Senior Secondary School (G) Maluka. 

On the 31st the team visited Govt. Senior Secondary School, Chann; Govt. Senior Secondary School, Lambi and Govt. Senior School (G), Gidderbaha. The Award programme had been initiated in these schools in the month of September 2013 and the Award aspirants have already participated in the domains of Skill, Physical Recreation and Service.

There was a keen response from this district as a majority of the students showed interest in the programme and were happy to be a part of it. Also the Award Leaders seemed enthusiastic and were positive to receive such an opportunity. The Programme Manager interacted with each of the participants and Award Leaders on an individual basis and cleared all their queries regarding the programme.

This project is sponsored by the Punjab government, highlighting their positive interest in the development and growth of the youth in their state. All the participants are from the rural areas of Punjab State and are enthusiastic about self-development and self realization; and this project is helping the youth to learn and follow a path of healthy development.

National Award Authority would like to thank to all staff of Govt. of Punjab Education Dept. for their true involvement in this Programme and special thanks to Ms Snehlata, Coordinator of IAYP, Edu Dept. Punjab for her enthusiastic and wholehearted supported for this Programme. Click for the pictures

AWARD LEADER (YES) TRAINING WORKSHOP

23rd - 24th January 2014 at Award Training Centre, New Delhi

The NAA organised a two-day Award Leaders training workshop at Award Training Centre, New Delhi, on 23rd and 24th January 2014. Participating in the workshop were nine 9 delegates from Yadavindra Public School, Mohali; Scindia Kanya Vidyalaya, Gwalior; Adventure 1 Zone, Mumbai; Delhi Public School, Saket, New Delhi; Indirapuram Public School, Ghaziabad; National Award Authority and NAZ Foundation. 

National Director Kapil Bhalla conducted the initial session with an introduction to the Award, highlighting aspects relating to About, Doing, Delivering and Supporting the Award. He also emphasized the role and importance of the Award Leaders in delivering the Award.

Bivujit Mukhoty (Programme Manager) started the next session with the 'Ice Breaking' exercise in which participants introduced themselves and shared their expectations from the training workshop. This icebreaker helped the participants to know each other and get an idea of their background and to learn from the diversity.The session was followed by the Philosophy of the Award and the Award Framework which was explained by the Programme Manager with the help of detailed presentations. These presentations helped the delegates to understand the essence and ethos of the Award.

Next, Kapil Bhalla took a session on the Service Section, in which participants were encouraged to brainstorm for different possible service activities respective to their interest and areas. The participants designed several interesting activities and demonstrated a brief plan of action for perform them. The Skills section was another session which all the participants enjoyed. Mentored by Bivujit Mukhoty, the participants performed individual skills to demonstrate their area of interest. Next, Bivujit Mukhoty described the challenges that Award aspirants face during their Award Journey and how to resolve them.

The last session for the day was Physical Recreation. Kapil Bhalla led the session and organised a group activity for the participants which they enjoyed a lot. Mr Bhalla explained the need of the Physical Recreation in an individual's life and its importance in the Award.

The next day the workshop started with the Adventurous Journey. Bivujit Mukhoty explained the key features of the section. This was followed by a session on Risk Management. The Programme Manager explained the different risks and measures to reduce them. The session was followed by a session on Residential Projects. There were sessions on Branding Guidelines, Volunteering and Benefits of the Award. 

There was a Q&A session in which the participants discussed different challenges which participants face during their Award Journey. All the queries were discussed and resolved by the National Director and the Programme Manager. Click for the pictures

ADVENTUROUS JOURNEY CAMP AT MATHA HILL, WEST BENGAL

13th – 16th January 2014: A Report

An Adventurous Journey Camp was conducted at the Matha Hills, Purulia, West Bengal from 13-16th January 2014 for the socially and economically marginalized youth. The camp was attended by 43 Award participants including 5 Gold, 14 Silver and 24 Bronze aspirants from All Bengal Women's Union Home, Kolkata; Emmanuel Ministries, Kolkata and Sri Sarada Math, Kolkata. The camp was organised and executed by National Award Authority under the supervision of Bivujit Mukhoty (Programme Manager) with the support of the instructors from The Institute of Climbers and Nature lovers (ICNL). Md. Manjur, a Gold holder from Emmanuel Ministries also very kindly volunteered during the camp.  

On 13th January the camp started with a briefing session by the instructors about the camp. The participants then marched for a short trek through the Matha forest to the footsteps of Matha hills. The post lunch session began with a practical class on equipment used in mountaineering and knot making. 

The next session was on tent pitching. Pitching a tent is an integral part of camp life. The campers learnt how to pitch a tent as well as the names and shapes of different tents and where to pitch. They also learnt tent manners and etiquette! In the evening session, the instructor conducted a session on Camping and its impact on a camper's social life. This was followed by a session on Mountain ethics and objectives. The participants got their views and queries clarified by Mr. Mukhoty.

Early the next morning, all the participants took part in a session on physical exercise. This was followed by a session where participants got basic information about climbing. The team gathered at different rock faces for rock climbing basics. Under the able guidance of ICNL instructors, the participants learnt different features of the rock faces and the techniques of basic rock climbing with and without ropes. The students climbed different types of rocks successfully. After the rock climbing session Mr. Mukhoty took a session on nature study on the way back to the camp. He described the features and the topography of the Matha Forest including the flora and fauna. The post lunch session started at 2.30 pm. when the team moved for a practical session on making different types of rope bridges like Single Rope Bridge and Burma Bridge - suited to various situations for crossing rivers and gorges. They crossed a tiny stream after making a rope bridge independently.

The evening session started with a theoretical class on Mountain manners / hazards and its remedies. The participants learnt how to observe and enjoy the beauty of Mother Nature without harming the environment. The ICNL instructors took a session on planning an expedition. That was a vital class for all the campers. The participants learnt how to make a plan, how to budget an expedition, how to select the team, how to get logistic supports, what to take, what to avoid etc. This interactive session was enjoyed thoroughly by the participants. 

On 15th morning after attending the physical exercise session and breakfast the team trekked to reach a rock face located just under Math Hilltop, at an altitude of 1800 ft. The participants climbed up the 300 ft rock face with the help of west harness ropes, crabs, descender and crash helmets. The feeling of reaching the top was as though they were on the top of Everest! 

This was followed by a rappelling session, one of the most attractive and fun filled sessions and the participants were very excited. A practical class on river crossing (Tyrolean Traverse) and monkey crawling was designed for the participants. The participants participated wholeheartedly in the class, learned a lot and demonstrated the technique in front of all the instructors. There was a practical class on self cooking. Participants learnt how to make fire and how to cook without utensils if they were to survive in a jungle, stranded in the midst of forest or rocky hills. 

The evening session was the most awaited and enjoyable camp fire. The participants organised a colourful cultural programme. Participants performed recitation, song, mimicry, mime and dance. 

The last day of the Camp was full of activities. Early morning the participants started climbing to Matha Top (665 mts). The participants took part in Chimney Climbing on the top of the Matha hill under the supervision of instructors. The team crossed several mountain obstacles in an unusual route. The students felt the magnitude of nature when they heard different sounds came from different birds and other creatures. The participants also took part in the cleaning drive at the top of Matha Hill. They collected and burnt out the waste left over by the pilgrims who came there on the occasion of Makar Sakranti. On their return the participants wound-up the camp site and cleaned the temporary kitchen and toilet and the camp area. Around 5 pm the team left the campsite and departed for Kolkata.  Click for pictures