AWARD INDIA | Year 20 - Issue 1 - March 2016 | THE INTERNATIONAL AWARD FOR YOUNG PEOPLE From the Editor’s Desk Dear Readers, It has been a full year since we have returned from the International Gold Event in Seoul, Korea. All the Youth Representatives have been handed over important responsibilities. This has made it possible for us to remain connected to Youth representatives from around the world. But what is more important to achieve through such exercises is to realize that the Award Programme is global in nature. Often times while discussing about issues that we are facing on a regular basis, we regular that India's internal Problems are quite similar to problems that youth are facing all over the world. For people who are involves, most days go past by their thinking that they are not being heard. Maybe it is true. But maybe it is not. Over the past few months, in several conversations with students and Award Participants from all over the country, I realized that the Award programme provides a very effective medium for the youth to feel worthy and channelize their restless energy. Through stories that have come in for this issue of Award India and others that we couldn't cover here, we could like to thank all our youth participants for working hard towards building a strong nation. Anwesha Ghosh IGE Representative Nature: A Commitment to Preserve and Nurture - A report by Manju Verma (Award Leader) ward participants of Cambridge International School Phagwara, in their commitment to preserve and nurture nature, moved a step forward by adopting a local park in Phagwara city. The school took this Ainitiative in a collaborative effort with the residents of Urban Estate Phagwara to improve and maintain the park. Mr. Som Prakash, MLA Phagwara City, inaugurated the event. He motivated the participants to follow the Swachh Bharat Abhiyaan to keep the city, state and nation clean. This initiative was further supported by residents and community members who will volunteer their time to improve the chosen park. All the IAYP participants and members present there pledged to keep the park clean and work on a variety of projects including planting and maintaining flower beds; maintaining the trails and paths; painting and caring for park structures; cleaning up litter; planting, mulching, and watering trees; and ensuring the park is well maintained. The Award participants also pledged to visit the park every Sunday. An inspirational song "Zariya" sung by the students of Cambridge International School strengthened the spirit of the movement. Principal Jorawar Singh encouraged the students to preserve nature for our future generations. Pankaj Gautam, a leading businessman of the town and a great social activist also motivated the students to plant more trees. The event was initiated under the guidance of Anita Somprakash, Jaswinder Kaur (MC), K. S. Bains (Managing Director CIS), Jorawar Singh (Principal), Amarjeet Singh (Administrator), Pankaj Gautam, members of Urban Estate Phagwara, staff and students of Cambridge International School Phagwara. Award India Adventurous Journey for Gold and Silver Level Gold and Silver participants of The Cathedral & John Connon School, Mumbai completed their Adventurous Journey at Bhimashankar and Khopoli. A report from the Award Leader follows. he IAYP Gold and Silver Level Adventurous Journey camp was held from 8th to 11th October, 2015 at Khopoli and Bhimashankar. Forty-nine Gold and Silver level participants, accompanied by the Award Leader, left for Khopoli. On Treaching Khopoli, the participants were given sessions on rope knots, how to handle various equipment and pitch tents. These sessions were lively, informative and helped refresh everyone's memory of these vitally important skills for safety and survival. Early morning on the 9th of October, all the participants embarked on a trek to Bhimashankar. They were all transported to Khandas village by bus and then began the ascent from there. The trek was challenging and exciting; there were several spots that seemed impossible to climb but with the correct attitude and skill, all the participants were able to manoeuvre their way through the forest. Everyone was determined to complete the trek and reach the peak of the hill. After seven hours with a lot of encouragement from the team leaders, the group finally made it to the top. The trek was exhausting but it helped improve the participants' fitness and build their communication and coordination skills. In the evening, the participants were divided into groups and took part in different team building games. In the first game, the participants had to form a circle and pass a hoola-hoop around the circle without breaking it. The games became more difficult as they progressed; in the last game, all the team members were blindfolded and the group leaders had to help them form a square. These games enabled the participants to think on their feet and prepared them for life-threatening situations. On the morning of the 10th of October, the participants did some light exercise and then took a bus to the Bhimashankar temple. It was a beautiful historic monument that offered an insight into Hindu religion and culture. In the evening the participants undertook a few adventure activities. Both net climbing and jhummaring were good exercise; these activities also allowed the participants to put to good use the knowledge they had acquired about equipment and rope knots. The morning of the 11th was spent in some light exercise followed by lectures and a feedback session, after which everyone departed for Mumbai. All in all, the camp was challenging and tiring but it was a memorable and enjoyable experience. Explore Spiti, be a part of Solar Conservation Project 2016 Residential Project and Adventurous Journey for Gold Participants 10th - 25th June, 2016: Spiti, Northern Himalayas, India Gold Award participants from around the globe are welcome to apply for the two-weeks Solar Conservation Project at Monastery, Spiti. Organised by Ecosphere in collaboration with IAYP India, the project is one of its kind, combining an Adventurous Journey and Gold Residential Project exclusively for Gold Award participants. During this journey the Award participants will participate in the actual construction of the Solar Bath and the setup of a Solar Water Geyser (Evacuated Tube Condenser) or a Greenhouse and will be assisted by a dedicated team with a qualified mason and representative from Ecosphere. The construction period will be 7 to 8 days. The trip combines work and pleasure. During this trip the Award participants will also be visiting some of the highest villages in the world, going on a high- altitude trek, visiting some ancient monasteries dating back over 1000 years and taking a yak/horse safari and mountain bike. Traditional homestays further enrich the experience by giving an authentic understanding of the life and culture in a Spitian home. For detailed information write to [email protected] (Registrations Open till 15th April 2016) Award India Showcasing the IAYP Programme St. Mary's School, Safdarjung Enclave, New Delhi showcased the IAYP programme for the parents/guardians and the students of the school. Jyoti Fotedar, Award Leader reports on the event. AYP showcasing happens twice a year. It is a time of great enthusiasm. Our IAYP is divided into many clubs and all the clubs gear up to showcase in front of an audience which comprises of parents and fellow batch Imates. Showcasing also brings out the best in us. For many aspirants it is a platform to tap the hidden skills and make themselves proud and gain self confidence. For many it is to enhance their leadership quality and their organizing skills. Each level of Bronze, Silver and Gold have different levels of skill building program that takes place in these clubs. Parents are awestruck as they have never seen their children ever perform in these areas. Some of the views from the Award Aspirants are "Being a part of organizing team, the experience I got was one like no other. It taught me time management, co- ordination, humility and gratitude in welcoming the guests. "Showcasing has always brought out the best in me. First time I did showcasing I was part of the Physical Recreation and I learnt rock climbing. Next I was in western music and I learnt to play base guitar. It was a wonderful experience. "The IAYP has always been a platform to learn, enhance and show the hidden skills that we generally have no courage to tap. Award India Skill Development through IAYP A report by Adrija Chatterjee he Award Programme Foundation supports the Skill development programme for the development of rural areas under the Gender Diversity Empowerment TProject. Areas like Singur, Baladbandh, Kumroguri are under this project. Through this project young girls learn Skills like making handmade jewellery (earrings, bangles, clips and necklaces) by the paper quilling method. These products are sent to different fairs, offices, and stalls for selling. The girls also earn some money as after selling these items the profit is distributed equally to the girls. Through this financial help the girls help their family for a better living standard. Some girls go to the remote areas of the village for teaching local children. Recently Rasik Bhita Chatrimangal organised a stall in their office premises at "M-junction", where these handmade products brought in a good profit, and people appreciated the beautiful work of the girls. Through this initiative many families have benefited. The project helps these girls to develop their skills and earn while they learn. This is what they have to say.... Ninety-eight Award participants (32 Silver and 66 Bronze) from The Sanskar Valley School, Bhopal completed their Adventurous Journey from 16th - 22nd October 2015 at Rishikesh Neelkanth area.