An International Youth Leadership Award camp was
organized between 12 - 18th November to gear the youth towards facing the challenges of
the new millenium. Virtualpune reports.
Little old Pune was the center for a RYLA for international students from all around the
world. Organized by the Rotary Club of Pune East and Pune Ganeshkhind, it was a seven-day
camp for boys and girls between the age- group of 18 and 25. With the basic purpose of
helping the youth to face the challenges of the millenium, the camp was directed towards
developing in the youth, leadership qualities.
Held at Balewadi, the camp had around 140 students from all over- Brazil,Belgium,Germany,
United States, Kenya, Yemen, Nepal, Bangladesh, Switzerland, Japan, China, Mongolia,
Vietnam, Mauritius and of course apna desis mainly from Pune, Nasik, Aurangabad and
Calcutta. The day began everyday at seven with yoga which was inaugurated by Padamshree
BKS Iyengar and then taught meticulously by his disciples. Followed by breakfast which was
always healthy and filling, the participants then were enlightened on various topics and
challenges and then divided into groups for a discussion in which every student was made
to participate. Excellent speakers such as BSKS Chopra and Kalyan Vardhe had the audience
captivated and motivated to a great extent After a vegetarian but all the same delicious
lunch there was yet another discussion. Some of the various topics dealt with were ' How
to be a community leader', ' Proactive citizenship', ' Wealth and Values', and ' Success
and Happiness '. The latest with information technologies, religon and moral values,
participants were made to see things in the right perspective. Public speaking was given
special importance and there were a lot of first timers who made their first attempt at
speaking in front of a crowd. The camp succeeded in boosting the confidence of many and
everyone emerged as different individuals. Some of the topics were a bit heavy to deal
with but was all in all well received by the participants. After long hours of serious
talks there was always some entertainment either a quiz or some theatre games, something
to keep the youngsters busy.
Specially organized was a trek to Singhad, rappelling and rock climbing and water games at
Plazer Point. A day filled with exciting activities that really managed to get some of our
delicate darlings really exhausted.
140 students, both boys and girls all in one hostel….. Sounds interesting? Well, our
dear Rotarians made sure that there was absolutely and positively no hanky- panky and it
was strictly lights off at 10.30 PM; no exceptions made. Youngsters must be youngsters and
as we saw, it interaction was one of the chief aims. Well, as they say all fun begins once
the lights are off… |
