Vol IX, Issue 06                            The Award Weekly                            08 February 2017

Srishti Agarwal, a Silver Level Award participant from Billabong High International School, Bhopal completed her Adventurous Journey at Rishikesh. Here, Srishti is sharing her experience of interacting with nature.

I was born in the urban jungle. A silent addition to our modernized civilization hurling through chaos and drowning in the hoots and honks of the 21st century. The cement, the concrete, the bricks, the skyscrapers taller than trees, the pollution encasing the stars and a patch of grass that we called ‘nature’. The city ran in my veins deeper than blood.

But, years later when I turned 16, I went for my IAYP Adventurous Journey camp in Rishikesh and spent about a week there. It was actually a ‘back to nature’ initiative, which seems my worst nightmare, as I chose to describe it. Away from the city, completely detached from ‘life’ was not my idea of either a ‘frolic’ or a ‘serene’ outing. Yet, what has to be done, needs to be done. And so I left Bhopal for Hardwar, with a heavy heart and a weary sigh. The train journey was brimming with boredom but it was lesser of the two evils as the stay would surely be far more torturous.

The morning that we, the seventy Award participants along with 5 mentors, reached Haridwar was by far the most uneventful day, for the remaining time was spent in commuting to the camp site -- beside the Ganges and surrounded by thick forests. I truly felt ‘caged’, like a person left in isolation, who can shout all he wants, but in the end, it’s him speaking to a void. But as nightfall approached, something changed. Sitting by the fire, reading a book, (yes, indeed!) Waiting for the cell phone reception, I noticed for the first time in the sky, a constellation, Aries. The stars, those plain asteroids, shone brighter than any light and the moon was stupendously beautiful, bathing our campsite in the light I can only describe as ethereal. Not a sound was heard, apart from the easy wind and the rustle of leaves. There, in that moment, I felt the closest to peaceful. Perhaps it was the state of my mind, drunk with fatigue as I was or there actually was a connect that I could feel to that evening sky and the never-ending forest. Click here to read full article ..... Click here for more pictures

IAYP organised a two-day National Training Workshop (NTW) on 2nd and 3rd February 2017 at the Award Training Centre, New Delhi. Thirteen participants from seven institutions, Hopetown Girls' School, Dehradun; Oakridge International School, Visakhapatnam; Chinar Public School, Alwar; Confluence World School, Rudrapur; Sat Paul Mittal School, Ludhiana; Snow Leopard Adventures Pvt. Ltd., Gurgaon, and Templeton Academy International, Naukuchiatal attended the workshop.

During the workshop, Ritu Bhargava from Chinar Public School, Alwar spoke about how the Award helps young people discover themselves and unleash their potential. "Attending this workshop has really been very enlightening for me to understand how harnessing young people's energy could bring transformational changes in them, and is a constructive use of time. I firmly believe that if I can make young people of my area associated with the Award, they would be better, improved people and it will not only help them find their means of learning but also help them discover themselves and realise their potential to achieve a higher sense of satisfaction and allow them to lead a better life. It will definitely inculcate in them a sense of responsibility towards society and its needs."

This workshop underscored the importance of this Leading Youth Programme for the development of youth, channelising their energy, shaping their personality and building their character by engaging them through different sections of the Award and preparing them for a bright future. Click here for pictures...

Residential Project and Adventurous Journey for Gold Participants, 2nd - 17th June, 2017, Spiti, Northern Himalayas, India

Gold Award participants from around the globe are welcome to apply for the two-weeks Solar Conservation Project at Spiti, Himachal Pradesh, 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 of well-qualified masons and the representative from Ecosphere. The construction period will be 7 to 8 days. The trip will be an amalgam of work, learning 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 will further enrich the experience by giving an authentic understanding of the life and culture in a Spitian home. Detailed information can be obtained from here. If you are interested in being a part of Soler Conservation Project, download application form from here.

25th October – 30th October 2017 at Prague, Czech Republic

We welcome Rungta International School, Raipur, Chattisgarh as new a YES Centres, and wish them every success.

YES Centres in India are strategic allies in promoting the all-inclusive growth of The Award. Click for updated list

The aim of partnering is to harness the potential and to encourage young people to grow from their own strengths. Individuals and organisations are welcome to partner with the Award Programme Foundation, and help develop the Programme. Click to visit the Partners page

Update
The following Trained Activity Providers are no longer licensed for IAYP Adventurous Journey.

IAYP India Office in Delhi
Phone: +91 11 4108 7062 and Telefax: +91 11 26497164

Programme Manager - Bivujit Mukhoty
Mob: +91 9310133900, email: programme@dofe.in / bivujit@dofe.in

Head IT & ORB - Priyank Kumar Gupta
Mob: +91 9719408779, email: priyank@dofe.in

Communications Manager
Tel.: +91 11 26497164, email: communication@dofe.in

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

Connect with us on