The Day When I Represented India at the United Nations

It was an honor to represent India at the United Nations headquarters, New York.

The Day When I Represented India 
at the United Nations

And, there came this important day of my life, when I was representing my country as a youth leader at one of the world's most prestigious organizations - United Nations.

“Remember to celebrate milestones as you prepare for the road ahead.” – Nelson Mandela

There are days in your life, that have huge significance and you MUST celebrate them.

On this day, 5 years ago, (Jan 31, 2016) I had the honor of representing India at the United Nations headquarters, New York.

"Don't focus on what you are up against.
Focus on your goals and try to ignore the rest."

So, what makes it so special? Here are my 3 strong  reasons to celebrate this day with joy and pride,

1. Since my childhood days, I have always aspired to represent India at an international platform.

2. During my graduation years, I was frequently ridiculed, when I used to share these aspirations with my so called friends.

3. I kept reminding myself that my dreams matter, even if they seem 'silly' to the outside world.

And, there came this important day of my life, when I was representing my country as a youth leader at one of the world's most prestigious organizations - United Nations.

Next time when somebody criticizes your dreams, remind yourself,

"Don't focus on what you are up against. Focus on your goals and try to ignore the rest."

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"To Educate A Girl Is to Educate An Entire Generation."

"When girls are educated, their countries become stronger and more prosperous."

"To Educate A Girl Is to
Educate An Entire Generation."

Many of these girls were from lower-middle class families, and their dedication and diligence were clearly visible with their participation in various tasks and activities.

"When girls are educated, their countries become stronger and more prosperous."

Last year, I had this amazing opportunity to teach Life Skills to a batch of more than 500 brilliant NCC girl cadets from various parts of Uttarakhand state.

What made this experience more memorable was the fact that these girls were from diverse backgrounds, and they all had one thing in common: 'Their Aspirations to Succeed in Life'.

These girls were way more focused and far more committed to their goals,
as compared to the boys of similar age group, that I had trained before.

Many of these girls were from lower-middle class families, and their dedication and diligence were clearly visible with their participation in various tasks and activities.

Through interactions with them, I realized they were way more focused and far more committed to their goals, as compared to the boys of similar age group, that I had trained before.

It has been rightly said that,

"To educate a girl is to educate an entire generation."

Happy National Girl Child Day!

"When girls are educated, their countries become stronger and more prosperous."

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Making Your Virtual Classroom Experience More Meaningful

It's always a great feeling when your learners feel engaged and appreciate your efforts.

Making Your Virtual Classroom 
Experience More Meaningful

Remember that virtual learning is very special. Successful virtual teachers do the best they can to deliver meaningful lessons, help their learners feel cared for, and inspire them to give their best.  

It’s often said that it’s challenging to maintain your learners' attention through online interactions. Virtual classroom is not always easy when you also have to engage your learners and make learning experience fun as well as interactive.

It does take a bit of creativity and lots of love (for teaching) to keep your learners' brains stimulated. To engage my learners, here is the methodology I used as a course instructor for two Life Skills courses, (i) Living Conversations, and (ii) Leadership and Teamwork.

Please find this methodology explained in form of simple suggestions for those who wish to make virtual classroom experience fun as well as interactive, 

1. Break down the lesson and make it digestible. Make content that students can connect emotionally too. 
   
   
2. Be well prepared with any assets you’ll be using in class, which include slide show, images, audio or video links, documents, etc. 
   
   
3. When you are presenting through slide show, personalize them with your learners' pictures or names. They will enjoy the personal touch. 
   
   
4. Be a storyteller and present your best (online) self. Also, be patient with your learners. 
   
   
5. Use humor and bring some fun into the classroom. Take brain breaks for fun activities like '60 Seconds to Fame', 'DJ of the Day' etc. 
   
   
6. Emphasize group projects. Figure out what students should be practicing and create exercises/ activities/ assignments that help them reflect on their own perspectives and learn from one another. 
   
   
7. Gamify your virtual classroom experience, and create a kind of healthy competition to inspire your learners with intrinsic motivation. 
   
   
8. Set polls, conduct break-out sessions, and use the chat box. Ask insightful questions and try to relate them with day-to-day life experiences. 
   
   
9. Recognize and appreciate learners who participate proactively. It does help in influencing the behavior of other learners positively. 
   
   
10. Have guest speakers come in to talk about a subject or interest area, to offer a fresh perspective and variety in the subject matter. 
    
    
11. Once in a while, meet your learners in small groups for personalized feedback on Zoom or Google Meet. 
    
    
12. And last but not the least, make your learners feel valued. Allow them to present and share their favorite learning takeaway/s. 

It's always a great feeling when your learners feel engaged and appreciate your efforts.

Remember that virtual learning is very special. Successful virtual teachers do the best they can to deliver meaningful lessons, help their learners feel cared for, and inspire them to give their best. 

How do you make your virtual classroom experience more meaningful?

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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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