Testimonial : Kanika Issar

About me

My name is Kanika Issar and I am 19 years old. I received my Gold Award in May 2010 in New Delhi, India, from the Vice-President at the time- Mr. Hamid Ansari. Today, I am in Riga and I am volunteering to work with the Award program in Latvia. How I ended up coming here is an interesting story.

Meeting new friends

In 2009, I went to Russia (Petrozavodsk) for my Gold Residential Project. There I made friends with Austra and Varis Salmins who had come to the Award camp from Latvia. In 2010, they sent me an invitation to come to the Latvian Award camp, Eldorado. I was very excited for having been given this opportunity and I immediately began to fill out all the paper work for a visa. Unfortunately, the embassy gave me my visa two days after the camp had started and it did not make sense to come so far for half the camp. I was very disappointed and I did not plan on coming to Latvia anytime soon.

Friends for life

In 2011, I went to the USA to continue my studies at university, and I have now completed my first year. While trying to decide what I wanted to do for my summer holidays, I emailed Austra and decided to come to Latvia and work with the Award program in the Eldorado 2012 camp. Austra, Varis and their family very kindly offered to host me for my entire stay of two and a half months!  Meeting them at Riga airport, three years after the camp, it was a beautiful feeling to know that I made friends who I will treasure for a lifetime through an Award camp. I have been in Latvia for a month now and I volunteer at an organization called Apeirons. There I learn about people with disabilities and make several different projects and videos to increase awareness about the organization.

Giving back to the Award

When I was given a form to join the Award in class 8, I am happy I didn’t make a paper plane from it but instead filled it out and submitted it, because the Award program has taught me so many things, given me so many experiences and has shaped who I am today. It’s exciting to discover similarities through the Award with people all over the world. Since I have gained so much from the Award, I decided to spend my summers volunteering with the Award and give back. I am looking forward to Eldorado 2012 – I have the opportunity to learn about Latvian traditions and, most importantly, about Latvian youth today. I plan to share my culture and experiences, and help to make it another successful Award camp.

Source : http://www.intaward.org/about-the-award/Testimonials/Kanika-Issar/

CONGRATULATIONS SURABHI VAIDYA!

Surabhi Vaidya is one of the most energetic and promising interns at the National Award Authority office. The entire team at the office congratulates her for completing one year with the Award. 

Over the course of one year she has worked assuming various roles - as a Volunteer, Mentor, Communications Intern, Programme Intern, Trainer, and Award Leader. She has worked closely with the Programme and the Communications team and has also helped in designing as well as conducting Training workshops for Award Leaders, YES Managers, and Volunteers.

Having true leadership qualities, she was selected to attend the Training for Trainers workshop held in Manila in February 2012 and was also selected to represent IAYP India at the recently held Spiti Annual Gold Solar Project in June 2012 in Spiti Valley.

When asked about her experience, Surabhi exclaims: "The Award has not only taught me how to challenge myself at every step in my life, but has also given me the confidence to stand in front of a group of people and express myself. Today, it is one of the best platforms young people have, to develop themselves and their skill set. It has truly been a major catalyst to get me where I am today. And I will always be thankful to the Award for making me what I am today."

JOYS OF COMMUNITY LIVING IN THE CAMP

IAYP Expedition from Silver aspirants of Coorg Public School, Mysore - A report by Teena Machaiah (Award Leader) 

"We live in a wonderful world that is full of beauty, charm and adventure. There is no end to the adventures that we can have if only we seek them with our eyes open." - Jawaharlal Nehru.
The silver aspirants of the Duke of Edinburgh's Award Scheme experienced the joys of community living in the camp at Bittangala on 15th and 16th September, 2012. A group of 40 members accompanied by 5 teachers - Mr. Satish, Mr. Vijay, Mrs. Teena Machaiah, Mrs. Vinutha Bopanna and Mrs. Krithika Devata enthusiastically participated in the camp activities organised in the pristine lap of nature.
The expedition included trekking in the forest confines, where the group spent two nights. Besides cooking their own food, there were exciting adventures activities such as Rock Rappeling, Zip Line Crossing, Jumer Hang, Monkey Crawling, X Target Reach, Rope Walk and team building activities.
This camp played a vital role in unearthing the skills of students and taught them valuable lessons about teamwork, self reliance, perseverance, sharing and the joys of simple living. We owe our debt of gratitude to Mr. Chengappa, Honorary Secretary and Col. Bharath, Vice President (Administration) of Coorg Institute of Adventure Sports for all their help and support for the success of this camp.

Click to see more photos

The International Award Programme in India - E-weekly - 03 October 2012

Vol IV, Issue 159                                                 The Award Weekly                                               03 October 2012

JOYS OF COMMUNITY LIVING IN THE CAMP IAYP Expedition from Silver aspirants of Coorg Public School, Mysore - A report by Teena Machaiah (Award Leader)  "We live in a wonderful world that is full of beauty, charm and adventure. There is no end to the adventures that we can have if only we seek them with our eyes open." - Jawaharlal Nehru. The silver aspirants of the Duke of Edinburgh's Award Scheme experienced the joys of community living in the camp at Bittangala on 15th and 16th September, 2012. A group of 40 members accompanied by 5 teachers - Mr. Satish, Mr. Vijay, Mrs. Teena Machaiah, Mrs. Vinutha Bopanna and Mrs. Krithika Devata enthusiastically participated in the camp activities organised in the pristine lap of nature.  The expedition included trekking in the forest confines, where the group spent two nights. Besides cooking their own food, there were exciting adventures activities such as Rock Rappeling, Zip Line Crossing, Jumer Hang, Monkey Crawling, X Target Reach, Rope Walk and team building activities. This camp played a vital role in unearthing the skills of students and taught them valuable lessons about teamwork, self reliance, perseverance, sharing and the joys of simple living. We owe our debt of gratitude to Mr. Chengappa, Honorary Secretary and Col. Bharath, Vice President (Administration) of Coorg Institute of Adventure Sports for all their help and support for the success of this camp. CONGRATULATIONS SURABHI VAIDYA! Surabhi Vaidya is one of the most energetic and promising interns at the National Award Authority office. The entire team at the office congratulates her for completing one year with the Award. Over the course of one year she has worked assuming various roles - as a Volunteer, Mentor, Communications Intern, Programme Intern, Trainer, and Award Leader. She has worked closely with the Programme and the Communications team and has also helped in designing as well as conducting Training workshops for Award Leaders, YES Managers, and Volunteers. Having true leadership qualities, she was selected to attend the Training for Trainers workshop held in Manila in February 2012 and was also selected to represent IAYP India at the recently held Spiti Annual Gold Solar Project in June 2012 in Spiti Valley. When asked about her experience, Surabhi exclaims: "The Award has not only taught me how to challenge myself at every step in my life, but has also given me the confidence to stand in front of a group of people and express myself. Today, it is one of the best platforms young people have, to develop themselves and their skill set. It has truly been a major catalyst to get me where I am today. And I will always be thankful to the Award for making me what I am today." INTERNATIONAL SPORT FOR DEVELOPMENT - PHOTO COMPETITION International Sports for Development is currently running a photo competition for all official partners.  The winner of the competition will have their photo exhibited at the International Sports for Development office in Australia and receive some great Australian Sports Commission merchandise.  Click for more details YOUTH ENGAGING SOCIETY (YES) NEWS Welcoming new institutions to the Youth Engaging Society (YES) Family We welcome Vidya Sanskar International School, Faridabad (Haryana) as new YES Centres, and wish them every success. Our YES Centres in India are strategic allies in promoting the all-inclusive growth of The Award. more details YES FAQ A new series of Frequently Asked Questions, which the IAYP India team will answer. Q.: Why Residential Projects for Gold? A.: The Aim of the Residential Projects for the Gold Award is to broaden the participant's outlook and horizons through involvement with others in a residential setting. It gives Gold participants a shared, purposeful experience with people who are not their usual companions. NATIONAL AWARD OFFICE NEWS Updated phone numbers National Award Authority Office in Delhi Phone : +91 11 4108 7062 and Telefax : +91 11 26497164. Programme Manager - Bivujit Mukhoty's  Mob: +91 9310133900,  email: programme@dofe.in  IAYP India @ Social Networks - New Links Check the new links to the Social Networks for latest updates at Award. SKIING AT INME Learn to ski with Inme this winter at Solang Nala, Manali. This programme for 13-16-year-olds has been designed for learning how to ski. It is being run by professionals who are National Level Skiers and have represented India in various competitions. We start with an introduction to skiing and its equipment. Participants learn how to balance themselves, turn, and do straight runs followed by lots of time on the slopes. The programme ends with the children participating in The Great Shalom Race! Dates : 25th - 31st December, 2012 For registration call Nipun (9899122595) Click for more details EVENTS IN FOCUS- Contact  the Comms Team for details  12th - 13th October 2012 - YES Training Workshop 6 at Award Training Centre, NAA Office, New Delhi 21st - 25th November 2012 - Forum 2012 at Malta 16th - 18th December 2012 - NTW 3 at Good Shepherd International School, Ootacamund.   Home | About The Award | Award in India |  Award Philosophy

Copyright The International Award for Young People India 2012. All Rights Reserved. Member: The Duke of Edinburgh's International Award Association This e-mail and its attachments (if any) are confidential and intended solely for the addressee, and may be privileged or exempt from disclosure under applicable law.  If you are not the addressee, or have received this e-mail in error, please notify the sender immediately, delete it from your system and do not copy, disclose or otherwise act upon any part of this e-mail or its attachments. IAYP India does not accept any liability for any losses from infected email transmissions, attachments with viruses or other defects.

For more information visit www.iayp.in Contact the Communications Team with updates, photos, feedback and more.

Service and its Impact

Bronze Awardee, Harsh Agarwal , shares with us how the service he undertook while pursuing his bronze award changed his life

Capturing something means creating your identity, which symbolizes your presence. When a photographer captures the things which are overlooked and not demanded by the general public are then only preferred to be the art works for the purpose of decorum for their houses. Indications get inclined towards giving life to the neglected. For a photographer it’s not only about colors or objects in particular but what matters from the wider perspective is the whole subject.

Similarly our lives throw situations upon us, which puts us forward to care for the world as the whole. Despite judging human race, it’s more a matter of extending a helping hand to the needy like Tibetan Refugees, whom I helped throughout in weaving the coat materials and also sieving the food grains. It was an immense pleasure for me. It filled my heart to the core during those days. It was intellectually engaging and an eye-opening learning experience for me. Those days made me realize the actual value of life. That is, the place where life truly prevails and humans interact.

I observed a very silent atmosphere which pushed me to think that people care for each other and so a new habitat for them inexistence.

Thank You Indian Award For Young People for showering this opportunity on me.

You proved that-“Born of emotions has a source behind it.--Harsh”