Union Minister Presents Peace Awards, Meets International IYPF delegates

Chandigarh, September 27, 2014: Young delegates from around the world reached Chandigarh to participate in the 9th International Youth Peace Fest (IYPF 2014). Union Minister of State for Sports & Youth Affairs, Sarbananda Sonowal was the Chief Guest and  Kirron Kher, Member Parliament presided over the event held at KB DAV Sr.Sec. School, Sector 7B here today to welcome the delegates. Besides honouring four educationinsts with Peace Awards, the minister also released a new slogan “Let’s Do More” for the ‘IYPF2014’.
Over 300 delegates from USA, UK, Taiwan, Mongolia, Uganda, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh, Thailand, Malaysia, Syria, Indonesia, Taiwan, Lebanon, Nigeria, Zimbabwe, Iran, Ghana, Egypt, Russia, Uganda, Bhutan and different states of India are participating in the IYPF2014 along with many other prominent personalities like IYPF Brand Ambassador American Gandhi Bernie Meyer, Dr Hasmukh Purshottam Dawda, Peace Ambassador, Chairman, Dawda Group, Uganda, the legendary peace activist and living spirit of Mahatma Gandhi Dr SN Subba Rao, Dr Latha Pillai, Director, Rajiv Gandhi National Institute of Youth Development (RGNIYD), Anthony Carlisle and Lilian from Garden of Hope Foundation, Taiwan, Irina Smirenko and Daria from from Moscow Youth Multifunctional Center, Russia, many elected young councilors and social leaders from Sri Lanka and social activists from Pakistan too.
Sarbananda Sonowal, Union Minister along with Kirron Kher also presented this year’s ‘Peace Awards’, to four distinguished teachers of tricity namely Sr. Maria Swati A.C., Principal, Carmel Convent School, Chandigarh; Raj Bala, Principal, Government Model Sr. Sec. School, Sector 37D, Chandigarh; Krit Serai, Principal, Satluj Public School, Panchkula and Rosy Sharma, Principal, DAV Public Sr. Sec. School, Mohali. The awards are presented annually by Yuvsatta and Kailash Bahl Memorial Trust to educationists promoting seeds of value based education inculcating in young minds the spirit of Ahimsa (nonviolence), volunteering and love for mankind.
Addressing the gathering on the occasion  Sarbananda Sonowal said, “Government has recently launched National Youth Policy 2014 for development and empowerment of youth in an integrated manner. The Department of Youth Affairs is in the process of formulating a new Scheme called “National Young Leaders Programme” for development of leadership skills among the youth and contributing to nation building activities by voluntary work including Shramdaan. Skills and knowledge are the driving forces of economic growth and social development of any country and we are working to provide marketable skills to the entire youth population of the country.”
Appreciating the holding of annual International Youth Peace Fest in Chandigarh, Sonowal added that he is strong votary of strong international understanding and good relations especially with our neighboring countries and promised his all out support to promote the efforts of uniting young people across the world by volunteers of Yuvsatta.  
Welcoming the minister, Kirron Kher shared that Mr Sonowal is considered to be one the most popular leaders in Assam having long career in public life since his days as a student leader and with a young grassroot leader like him at the helm of affairs in Ministry of Youth, Sport & Skill Development & Entrepreneurship, one can expect good times and number of opportunities for the young people ahead.
Today’s programme was jointly organised by  Yuvsatta, Rajiv Gandhi National Institute of Youth Development - Regional Centre, Chandigarh, State Cell-NSS, Education Department, Chandigarh Administration, KB DAV Sr. Sec. Public School, Sector 7B & Dr GC Mishra Memorial Educational and Charitable Trust, Chandigarh.
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Day 2 : September 28, Sunday
Main Auditorium, GGD SD College, Sector 32, Chandigarh
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09.45 - 10.45 AM: Special Meditation Session on ‘Importance & benefits of inner peace and ways to cultivate it.’ By a Senior Monk; Monk Phra Parsura of World Peace Initiative Foundation Thailand www.peacerevolution.net; http://www.wpifoundation.org
11 AM – 1 PM:  Inaugural session:
 
-      Formal inauguration of IYPF 2014 by Ms Sminu Jindal, MD, Jindal Saw Limited and Founder Svayam-an initiative of Sminu Jindal CharitableTrust.
 
-      Presentation of ‘Global Youth ICON Awards’ to two distinguished youth ICONS.
 
-    Address by Br. Indra Udayana of Ashram Gandhi Puri, Bali, Indonesia
-      Punjabi folk dance of ‘Malwai Giddha’
 
-     Address by Dr. Latha Pillai, Director, Rajiv Gandhi National Institute of Youth Development (RGNIYD), Tamilnadu
 
-      Presidential remarks by Dr. Hasmukh Purshottam Dawda, Ambassador for Peace & Visionary of Uganda
 
-      National anthem by School Band of Carmel Convent School, Chandigarh.

DETAILS OF PEACE AWARDEES 2013-14
 Sister Maria Swati AC, Principal, Carmel Covent School, Chandigarh

An embodiment of service, sacrifice and commitment to the cause of education for all. Sr. Maria Swati is a real example of service before self. At her School you’ll find young students excelling in academics along with sports, community services, causes of green living, peace and harmony. With an active and vibrant Peace Club she was awarded in the past by  8th Indy Education award as one of best Girls school in 2014, Mahila Shakti shiromani award, Vidya gold award for outstanding achievement and best Principal trophy by science Olympiad Foundation are few example of her leadership.

The award is sponsored by Dr. Satinder Dhillon an educationist of repute….

Raj Bala, Principal, Govt. Model Sr. Sec. School, Sector-37 D, Chandigarh
Mrs. Raj Bala had created a perfect example of inclusive environment at her School without any discrimination. Her School is having perfect blending of rural & urban culture. Living example of promoting Humanitarian values by arranging regular Blood donation Camps, tree plantation in school and other places, helping needy by providing shoes & other articles, awareness & action programmes on curbing the menance of Female foeticide, lookigg after the welkfare of each & every employee of her School, sharing values of labour in experiential way with children are some of the hallmarks of her style of running a School with excellence in providing education, especially to the  marginalized.

The award is Sponsored by Kailash Bahl Memorial Trust

Krit Serai, Principal, Satluj Public School, Panchkula
Someone said ‘A person who displays good sportsmanship always plays fair and by the rules. They make an effort to treat opponents, teammates, coaches &referees with respect’ ’and we believe that this character is also reflected when you deal with people in real life. Sutluj school has taken various initiatives to promote sportsmanship. Organizing 12th open Sutlej tennis tournament and Cricket academy of school are few example of this building peace inward & outward. An opportunity like exposure of children in voting processes is helping school to build citizenship. Regular cultural exchange programmes with Nepal, Canada, Singapore and French community & experiences sharing of world culture by them helped school community to understand one world one culture idea & spirit of global citizenship.
Being one of the top school in digital learning, organizing mentoring & experience sharing workshop for principals of 120 schools and formative assessment workshop are few  examples of Mr. Krit Serai’s strong Leadership.

The Award is Sponsored by another distinguishededucationist Swarn Sardana
 Rosy Sharma, Principal, DAV Public Sr. Sec. School, Chandigarh
Under her able guidance Rosy Sharma had facilitated students to introspect themselves in order to accentuate their potential for learning, thus enabling them to reach the summit of success through paramount endeavours so as to shoulder the responsibilities as good citizens & human beings. An important aspect of her work is social commitments towards society. It is very important to inculcate empathy towards under privileged children, senior citizens, work for environment preservation and sensitize young minds for active citizenship which the Peace Club of their School is known for.
The award is sponsored  by a teacher & educationist Astinder Kaur

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