Leader - A Dealer of Hope

Leader - A Dealer of Hope

Sometimes, a leader is a dealer of hope. Have you also come across such 'dealers of hope'?

Exactly, 5 years ago, this is what I found in my office at the University of Montana.

My Program Director had left a personalized note with a bunch of candies, while I was away for teaching my class.

It was indeed a pleasant surprise for me to realize that the Program Director himself had come to my office to wish me on my last day of the semester.

This small yet significant gesture touched my heart and I felt truly humbled with his thoughtfulness.

Sometimes, a leader is a dealer of hope. Have you also come across such 'dealers of hope'?

Through my own experiences, I have found the following 10 exceptionally meaningful ways to connect with a team and create a positive impact, 

1. Recognize a Job Well Done.
   
   
2. Encourage Creativity.
   
   
3. Break Big Goals into More Manageable Chunks.
   
   
4. Support New Ideas.
   
   
5. Focus more on Intrinsic (rather Extrinsic) Rewards.
   
   
6. Give Your Team Autonomy.
   
   
7. Figure Out What Makes Your Employees Tick.
   
   
8. Express Gratitude.
   
   
9. Practice Transparency.
   
   
10. Celebrate Wins.

“We are not a team because we work together.  We are a team because we respect, trust and care for each other.”  -Vala Afsar

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YOU Too Can Win a Fulbright Award!

YOU Too Can Win a Fulbright Award!

Applying for a Fulbright grant takes work and dedication. Fulbright is very competitive and the percentage of applicants who get awarded are very few.

A Fulbright competition is a merit-based grant for teachers, professionals, scientists, and artists worldwide open to the US and non-US citizens.

Applying for a Fulbright grant takes work and dedication. Fulbright is very competitive and the percentage of applicants who get awarded are very few.

✅ Start by looking at Fulbright’s website.

✅ Identify which of the program/s you want to apply for.

✅ Make sure to read carefully and understand well what each of these programs require.

✅ Be sure to be very clear in your application – don’t use funky jargon and acronyms.

✅ Prepare for the two standardized tests – the TOEFL and the GRE (depending upon the program's requirement).

✅ What story do you have while writing your Statement of Grant Purpose? You should be able to stand out from the crowd.

✅ Convince the committee in a logical way:
(i) How solid are your motivations to pursue the program?
(ii) What difference will you make once you return?
(iii) Whether you will fit well with the program’s focus on cultural exchange and helping your community.

✅ Be patient – the application is lengthy but the grant is worth the effort.

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Blessing in Disguise

Interestingly, I became the first Indian instructor to teach Hindi to Americans at the University of Montana, USA. 

Blessing in Disguise

It was an absolute honor and sheer privilege to represent India and Indian culture in a foreign land.

I used to regret completing my schooling from a Hindi medium background, as I was unable to afford convent education at that time. 

...until I was selected by U.S. Department of State and USIEF (United States-India Educational Foundation) to teach Hindi as a foreign language in an American University. 

Interestingly, I became the first Indian instructor to teach Hindi to Americans at the University of Montana, USA. 

It was an absolute honor and sheer privilege to represent India and Indian culture in a foreign land. 

My inability to afford convent education turned out to be a blessing in disguise, when I saw my mention in various national daily newspapers both Indian and American. 

It was incredible to see my mention in various national daily newspapers both Indian and American

When I look back, this experience also reminds me the best gift I received from my American student-trainees on my farewell at the University of Montana, USA. 

I taught them Basic as well as Advanced Hindi for almost a year and had an amazing experience celebrating all popular Indian festivals with them. 

Today (on Sep 14), as we are celebrating Hindi Day (हिंदी दिवस) in India, and this beautiful collage (that says: We All Miss You) reminds me of their love and admiration for Hindi and colorful Indian culture.

This beautiful collage (that says: We All Miss You) reminds me of their love and admiration for Hindi and colorful Indian culture.

And my 'Blessing in Disguise' experience got me learn that,

"Sometimes, a lot of things we see as regrets or setbacks may turn out to be blessings later on down the line."  

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*If you like this blog post and wish to share your experiences/ remarks/ views with me, you are most welcome to write to me at pdpbygauravmisra@gmail.com. Thanks!

Amazing Singapore Facts That May Surprise You!

Amazing Singapore Facts 
That May Surprise You!

Do you know one out of every six people in Singapore has assets worth USD 1 million or more, higher than anyone else in the world?!

Do you know? 

(i) Singapore is one of the world's smallest countries. Singapore is about 4,571 times smaller than India.

(ii) Singapore has no natural resources and imports not only sand, but even the fresh water.

(iii) Singapore is among the top ten in the global ranking of countries with the lowest levels of corruption and ranked the first place in Asia.

(iv) According to Bloomberg Opinion, the state of health of the people of Singapore is the best in the world.

(v) One out of every six people in Singapore has assets worth USD 1 million or more, higher than anyone else in the world. 

(vi) In Singapore, fines are very high. Fine for spitting on the ground – is $ 500. Fine for smoking in public places or throwing litter – is $ 500.

(vii) Singapore has a government-backed National Courtesy Campaign, where Singaporeans are taught ethics and mannerisms.

(viii) Singapore has compulsory military service for its citizens. 

(ix) Singaporean kids are smarter than the rest. They collectively topped the global math-and-science-education ranking. 

(x) Singapore has been ranked by The Economist Intelligence Unit report as the most expensive city to live in for the last five years. 

The picture above most is of last year, when in Singapore, I along with my Japanese colleagues successfully completed Singapore module of our GLIK (Global Leaders for Innovation and Knowledge) journey, to study the success-story of Singapore as a country as well as an economy. 

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An Open Letter to All the Freshers!

I'm sure you are ready to accept this change as a 'New Normal' with a sense of maturity and responsibility
as 'Torchbearers of Change'

An Open Letter to All the Freshers! 

I'm sure you'll be tomorrow's leaders as 'Torchbearers of Change' and help making this planet wonderful again. 

Dear Freshers,

Congratulations on starting your brand new journey! 

It's always a great feeling when you finally make it to your desired institution. I can understand your mixed feelings of excitement along with a bit of nervousness. 

You know what?! You are the witness of an all new revolution in almost all spheres of life including academics too.

You are the first ones to witness these remarkable changes happening at such a rapid pace.

Yes! Pandemic happened and it brought everything to a standstill for some time. Maybe mother nature needed some time to 'refresh' its 'settings', to make humans realize the damage we did to her.

Even though you attended/ are going to attend your Induction Program virtually; you will still enjoy these LIVE sessions.

It's true, intentionally or unintentionally, we did the damage; and now you are our hope to fix many things we messed up with.

I'm sure you will show us how to deal with the world with more sensibility, and lesser selfishness.

I'm sure you are ready to accept this change as a 'New Normal' with a sense of maturity and responsibility.

I'm sure you'll be tomorrow's leaders as 'Torchbearers of Change' and help making this planet wonderful again.

Pic 1: Induction Program at DITU
Pic 2: Induction Program at SKIPS

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Global Leaders for Innovation And Knowledge

Global Leaders for Innovation And Knowledge

With all the lessons gathered through my journey so far, I feel determined to contribute my best to the youth skills development and assist my country become Aatmanirbhar Bharat.

Last year (2019), I had the honor of representing India in 4 countries (USA - Japan - Singapore - Thailand) and work on my Capstone Project based on Youth Skills Development. 

Not only, I had great experience learning and connecting with the best global minds, but also got to witness some of the most wonderful innovations in the field of business, education and technology.

I'll always cherish my official ID Card as a souvenir. Grateful to Japan-America Institute of Management Science, Hawaii and Fujitsu, Tokyo for selecting me as a potential Global Leader for Innovation & Knowledge. 

With all the lessons gathered through my journey so far, I feel determined to contribute my best to the youth skills development and assist my country become Aatmanirbhar Bharat. 

Personal Growth & Professional Development by Gaurav Misra

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No Limits When You Follow Your Passion.

What made my experience more exciting was the fact that I was announced winner of 'International Recognition Award'

No Limits When You Follow
Your Passion.

What made my experience more exciting was the fact that I was announced winner of 'International Recognition Award' (in Education category) for my volunteer work.

Last year, I had the honor of representing India at the CTAUN (Committee on Teaching About the United Nations) Conference, United Nations, New York. 

What made my experience more exciting was the fact that I was announced winner of 'International Recognition Award' (in Education category) for my volunteer work.

Though I could not attend the Award Ceremony in person, yet this rare recognition was of utmost importance for me for many reasons.

It encouraged me to keep contributing to the community and inspired me to keep going.

It officially made me Uttarakhand's 1st International Recognition awardee by the CTAUN, United Nations.

It made me feel proud that ours was the only social initiative representing India to win this rare recognition among 2 other awardees from Australia and Bangladesh.

And lastly, it proved that there are no limitations to follow your passion (volunteering has been one of my passions since my childhood days) and make a mark too.

This experience proved that there are no limitations to follow your passion and make a mark too.

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