Hosted Ronnie Screwvala, MD of Disney-UTV India

On August 5^th, 2013 over 400 students, principals, and faculty from throughout 18 locations of LEAD regions assembled at the Deshpande Foundation in Hubli to celebrate the momentous LEAD6 Kickoff event.  RonnieScrewvala, Zarina Mehta Screwvala, Gururaj Deshpande, and Jaishree Deshpande appeared as Guests of Honor to further motivate the LEADers on their future initiatives.


 The preparations of the event were on from last two days and the excited leaders/volunteers worked day night for the preparation and to showcase their creative work. All the leaders who were selected to showcase their leadership projects were very much curious and attentive to host the guests and to explain them about them about their work that they have done for the community development. 

15 of LEAD5’s most unique and impactful projects from throughout different regions were displayed in the project stalls.  To maximize participation from guests and students alike, A LEAD tree was placed outside near the project stalls.  On this tree, students wrote special messages on paper leaves, which they stuck to the tree.  At the end of the day, the LEAD tree’s branches were full of student’s names and messages of favorite LEAD memories.All the guests, students and faculties visited the stalls and appreciated the work of young leaders.

LEAD6 Kickoff was packed with excitement and creativity. Each Guest of Honor entered the auditorium wearing the signature blue LEAD tshirts, and they lit candles on the stage before taking their seats in the audience. My colleagues Deepashree and Vijay anchored the event.

The program began with an introduction about LEAD by me and I share the LEAD journey of last 5 years and the major achievements. It was followed by a LEAD Journey video There were faculties, students and mentors who shared about the positive impact LEAD has had. The audience also got the chance to hear from the LEADers themselves; four students reflected on their leadership journeys, and proudly told about how LEAD had really helped them positively transform as individuals. In between the student and faculty reflections, students performed a "Say No To Drugs" dance, as well as a powerful mime that demonstrated the emotional and societal trauma caused by women harassment.

which highlighted the major projects and achievements since LEAD began five years ago.

My mentor Vivek Pawar (Founder and Chairman, Sankalp Semiconductor), who has collaborated with LEAD for several events, spoke about his admiration for the LEAD Program.  He said, “For the last two years, I have observed youth in LEAD.  After 6-8 months, I could already see the transforming.”

Towards the end of the program, the Guests of Honor were invited on the stage.  Ronnie and Zarina were presented with a LEAD memento, and each Guest of Honor was presented with a handcrafted card made by the LEAD students. 

Ronnie inspired the crowd by urging the students to persevere with their ideas and aspirations.  He told the LEADers, “The biggest ideas start small.  Keep up your confidence, and your idea will be your candle, your light.”  He also added, “Leave all of your fears behind.  If you want to be a leader, of course you will have challenges.  Believe only in yourself”.  Zarina, said that she was most impressed by LEAD’s slogan, “Complaints start with ‘they’, solutions start with ‘I”.  She said, “I love that you all actually want to have action that transforms into something real.  Enough complaining and blaming other people.  If you want to change the world, then you have to do something.”

 

 The program concluded with the “Kickoff” in which the Guests of Honor and LEAD students painted a blank canvas.  The action of painting the blank canvas demonstrates the teamwork, creativity, creation, and inspiration that our LEADers embody. The Guests of Honor also unveiled and signed a LEAD banner and wrote messages for the LEAD Program. 

 

 Our LEAD students are now energized to do bigger, better things in the upcoming year.  We can't wait to see the changes that LEADers will create in their communities, and within themselves!

 

 

 Source: dcselead.blogspot.in

Launch of LEAD Gulbarga

It was early morning on 29th July when I reached Gulbarga, a city that is situated in the north of Karnataka state of India. This region is also called as Hyderabad Karnataka as it touches the boundaries of Hyderabad dynasty.

The Hindu: state publication

The day was to officially launch of LEAD (LEaders Accelerating Development) a youth leadership moment. At 10:00 am it was everything set for the press meet and there was a wait of few remaining media persons of the city. My team of this region, Ms. Kavita Kawalgi and Mr. Vikram Patil were all prepared with all the logistic arrangements.

I along with my colleague Kavita were on the front to face the questions of media people. After I announced about the LEAD it was the time for media and they started one by one. I really appreciate the senior reporter of The Hindu who had lot many questions for me to answer and rest media persons were busy in taking note of each point that is coming out of my mouth. I was very much sure that each word of mine will be public so had to be very much conscious as it was an official meet where I was representing my organization and the program that is too much close to my heart.

Interaction with media representatives

Few electronic media representatives were there along with their video cameras and mikes to record everything. Front face facing cameras, dozen of senior media persons and being the center point target for each.... it was not at all hesitating or fear to me rather I was enjoying this moment.

My colleagues were very confident on me they were in full confidence that I can handle it very well. After the media conference they asked me... " how many media conferences you have faced earlier???"... and I could only smile...
Kavita told, "Today I realized that how tough questions media people ask and very much direct like an operation... attack... attack."
I reply calmly, " media want to show the real picture to their readers whatever they could get and to get it they may go in detail... "

Each media representative was smiling face while leaving from the conference hall.

Orientation at N.V. College, Gulbarga

The half of the rest day and next day was very much packed in meeting principals, faculties and students, taking orientations for students and faculties to explain about the LEAD and how they can realize and develop their leadership potential on this platform.
Enjoyed the time at Gulbarga.

Hosting Development Dialogue & Yuva Summit 2013

Deshpande Foundation’s Development Dialogue (DD) that gives a platform to participate, share, listen, meet, network, learn, make the best moments of life and absolutely enjoy. I was continuously part of five DDs and each time each was really meaningful and learning to me being as an organizer and host. Hosting DD is like hosting the marriage of a sister where each moment one has to be attentive with lot of humbleness and courtesy for all who are hosting and absolutely for guests. 

Many on spot changes and need to take decision and the best decision that would not hamper the overall preparation of the function. Working in a team is important but performing as a team is core to make the event successful and that is what DD Team and LEAD Team (my team) did in last four days.

Dr. Raghunath Mashelkar's wishes to me

 Development Dialogue and Yuva Summit 2013 has given lot of opportunities that I cherished. Having personal interaction with Mr. Ratan Tata or being the key person to take care of Dr. Raghunath Mashelkar for two days or introducing Mr. Narayan Murthy, Dr. Gururaj Desh Deshpande, Mr. Dilip Chenoy  to the audience or giving thanks note to Mrs. Sudha Murty for her valuable interaction with young leaders or moderating panel session with Ms Lakshmi Praturi (Curator, Inktalk), Ms Rashmi Bansal (Writer) and Ramesh Raskar (Eyenetra) or moderating/curetting young leaders talk and awards with Mr. Tata, Murthy, Mashelkar and Desh, it was all the part of four days experience. It’s been really an awesome learning platform to me. DD has also given a chance to be the panel speaker to share and talk on social intrapruneur. 

Here are few print media online glimpse:

http://www.thehindu.com/news/states/karnataka/be-optimistic-ratan-tata-advices-youth/article4361894.ece

A day with Ratan Tata

Explaining about LEAD to Mr. Ratan Tata Ji

January 30^th, 2013 one of the memorable moment and quite excited to curate the talk with young leaders for Mr. Ratan Tata. It was LEAD’s 3^rd annual Yuva Summit, where thousands of students and educators gathered to commemorate the LEADers on their projects and their accomplishments.  The Yuva Summit is one of the opening events for the Deshpande Foundation’s annual Development Dialogue, an annual, international conference that features some of India’s greatest pioneers in entrepreneurship and development

Addressing leadership stories to Tata

While 60 inspirational projects were showcased at the event, 5 LEADers were present the “Best Leader” award for carrying out projects that exemplified innovation and led to significant impact.  The best LEADers were awarded in the valuable presence of Mr. Ratan Tata, Mr. Narayan Murthy, Mrs. Sudha Murthy, Dr. Gururaj Desh Deshpande and Dr. Raghunath Mashelkar.  Mr. Tata presented each student with his or her award.

Gulshan Banu (Govt First Grade College, Sirsi)

Hutgar, a village near Sirsi, had a poor drainage system. Gulshan addressed the problem by contacting the government and demanded a solution.   Initially, the public was not supportive and even criticized her efforts.  Gulshan, however, did not give up.  Instead, she took initiative and approached every villager and Gram Panchayat herself.   As a result of her perseverance, the local Panchayat finally agreed to fund the construction of a drainage facility for Hutgar.  Gulshan’s project, costing Rs. 1,40,000, was completed in just one month.  Over 300 villagers now make use of the drainage facility.  Gulshan’s accomplishments have also extended beyond her project and Hutgar, as her work has inspired two other students to join the LEAD program and take leadership initiative.

Prasad (Shri Kasgateshwar Degree College, Talikoti)

Prasad began his project with intention of teaching the women of Hunasagi, Bijapur , how to read and write.   After starting his project, Prasad soon realized that he could help these women even more beyond literacy.  Prasad conducted 20 training sessions and taught the women about how to access banking facilities and  apply for loans.  He additionally provided the women with self-employment training.  Prasad’s project made an immense impact; 34 women were able to get loans from banks to start their own sustainable businesses in areas such as animal husbandry, tailoring, and handicraft. 

Santosh Kaveri (Samiti BBA College, Belgaum)

In the village of Shedbalin, Belgaum, farmers used any extra money they had to pay laborers to help them peel and clean the carrots that they harvested.  After six months of designing, Santosh invented a machine to help with this process.  With the machine, carrot preparation only requires the help of one or two people and requires a limited use of electricity and no water.  Moreover, Santosh’s machine allows 100 kg of carrots to be harvested, cleaned, and peeled in only 15 minutes.  Eight farmers now use this machine and have spared the costs of employing six laborers.  

Anuradha Bandari (Govt First Grade College, Sirsi)

There was a water problem in Anuradha’s village of Bommanalli, at Sirsi.  Anuradha assembled her villagers and encouraged them to take initiative themselves.  She helped the villagers, as well as members of the Gram Panchayat, approach the government and demand water tanks.  Within a month, the government sanctioned Rs. 2 lacs for the construction of four water tanks.  The government even agreed to fund the construction of streetlights for the entire Birumbe village.  Through the completion of her project, Anuradha not only inspired her local community, but she also inspired her peers; four other students at her college were motivated by Anuradha’s hard work and started taking initiatives and solving problems in their own respective communities.

Shreedevi R. Paschapur (BLDE BBA College, Jamkhandi)

The village of Sidhapur, in Jamkhandi, possessed no proper bus facilities.  Because of this, school buses did not stop at the village, and students would be forced to walk 9 to 10 kms per day.  Many students were missing their first two classes, and some students were not attending their classes at all.  Shreedevi brought this issue to the attention of her college principal and the local authorities.  One month later, permission was granted to allocate a bus stop in Sidhapur.  250 students are now regularly attending their regular classes.