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.