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Hubli/Karnataka, Lucknow/Uttar Pradesh, India
Ajay Suman Shukla grew up and completed his schooling in a rural area in Auraiya District of Uttar Pradesh. He completed M. Phil. in social work and post graduated from University of Lucknow with an MSW, where he was first exposed to the social sector and the work of Non-profit organizations. Since July 2009 Ajay is working with LEAD (LEders Accelerating Development) Program of Deshpande Foundation, Hubli, Karnataka, a program creating young Leaders. Ajay is a fellow Deshpande fellowship program on social entrepreneurship. Ajay has worked for one and a half years as Secretariat (Program) Associate with Men’s Action for Stopping Violence Against Women (MASVAW), which had a developed network working in 36 districts of Uttar Pradesh on ending gender discrimination and VAW. Ajay is keenly interested in networking, leadership, social entrepreneurship and securing people’s involvement in development action, particularly in efforts involving youth. Ajay is keenly interested in training youth and enhance their confidence and self motivation.
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Monday, August 12, 2013

Hosted Ronnie Screwvala, MD of Disney-UTV India


On August 5th, 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

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