Enable 100 low-income girls to complete graduation

UDAYAN SHALINI FELLOWSHIP

Udayan Shalini Fellowship programme of Udayan Care is a unique academic excellence and personality development programme for deserving and talented girls from weak socio-economic background aiming to turn them into empowered and dignified women or Shalinis. It is unique because it goes beyond being a usual scholarship programme by not only supporting higher education but also providing regular mentoring and leadership development and inculcating a sense of social responsibility to them.

Udayan Shalini Fellowship Programme was also able to introduce ‘Employability and Placement section’ for our shalinis to help them get placements in various fields. In this regards USF was also lucky enough to get the support of 2 full-time GSIF (Genpact Social Impact Fellowship) fellows from Genpact, who helped us in developing employability and mentorship module for our shalinis thus helping us in streamlining the process.

In 2018-19, USF has moved to 4 new cities – Pune & Thane (Maharashtra), Vadodara (Gujarat), Bengaluru (Karnataka)taking the count of chapters to 20. We are now in the process of inducting around 1100 new girls in 13 states and 20 cities.

KEY HIGHLIGHT

• During this quarter, we started with our process of inducing a new batch of Shalinis.
• We received a grand total of 622 application across various government schools in Delhi.
• We screened the applicants on the basis of our in-house NAT (Need, Ambition, Talent) process.
• A total of 154 applicants have been selected for the interview.

JULY

Employability Workshop: Assertiveness by Garima

The training provided a platform for detailed understanding of ‘Assertiveness’ and its application to self, based on one’s situations which found resonance in each individual relevant to own.

The session was conducted in a very interesting, informal and interactive manner. This training gave ample scope to Shalinis to interact with each other and face a wide variety of issues and situations that they are likely to come across in daily life.

Assertiveness which was demonstrated with ‘role plays’. Through the ‘role play,’ it was explained that there is the fine line between assertiveness and aggression, and one must not get confused. They should build the capacity to understand the situation at hand with the utmost care, get clarity in their thoughts and communicate the same with confidence and right vocal quality.

Stress was laid to explain that assertiveness is based on balance and assertive behavior leads to a ‘win-win’ situation. Shalinis came up with various situations in their day to day life and discussed events/incidents where they could be assertive.

Feedback and Learning:

“From the employability workshop, I learned about Being assertive. Always trying to find out a mid-way to fulfill the needs of each person including ourselves. We should speak openly in groups”- Harshana Batch 14

I learned many things from this workshop. I understood how to speak confidentiality without hurting and fighting with anyone. I learned about the body language of an assertive person.” – Shama Batch 15

Emotional Coping, Assertiveness and Stress Management by Ashish

OBJECTIVE/AIM OF THE WORKSHOP

• To impart different ways of coping up with the emotions.
• The session intends to make shalinis realize the antidotes of negative emotions available in them.
• Meaning of assertiveness and how it can be inculcated in oneself for their betterment.
• Importance and implementation of stress management in one’s life.

OUTCOME OF THE SESSION

• Shalinis came up with different stories some related to their own lives, some were creatively made and some even came up with instant written poems and slogans.
• The session helped shalinis gain confidence and strength as a speaker.          
• The session gave shalinis different viewpoint on emotions and ways to tackle it.
• The enthusiastic participation of facilitator and shalinis could easily be seen and the impact of the session was such that shalinis came up with their own personal problems and doubts openly without any hesitation.
• The session taught shalinis to be assertive and need to strongly hold their personality within them by adopting positive ways in a situation.
• The session also showed shalinis ways to face challenges effectively in life without any fear and anxiety.

AUGUST

Employability workshop: Non-Verbal Communication by Sapna 

Workshop on Non-Verbal Communication organized was attended by 52 Shalinis. The goal of the workshop is to focus on making participants understand the importance of creating the right perception. Expects the students to identify the traits that should be reflected, learn about non-verbal signals, verbal phrases, and style of speech. Finally, to exercise, demonstrate and adopt these new skills in their own general and valid style of behavior.

The main aim of the workshop is to make Shalinis employment ready. All present were informed it is important to practice correct body language during the interview, it is critical how the interviewer interpret signals. Students were introduced to body language concepts to explore non-verbal communication. It was stressed, body language plays a heightened role in the projection of their personality and is very powerful to act as the major game changer. It is imperative that both verbal and non-verbal responses should reflect careful attention to body language during facing interview. Shalinis responded that it was clear to them how important it is to master the body language, once done it provides the potential to both increase influence and direct the flow of information.

OUTCOME AND IMPACT

Participants were able to grasp the principle of intelligent body language and were able to imbibe the understanding of how to use non-verbal communication to polish their interview skills. The workshop proved to be instrumental in developing self-confidence, self-awareness among Shalinis and helped them to become more congruent while communicating.

FEEDBACK

Awesome, great, I found it really insightful and interesting. “Thanks for the training. Really worth it. Immediately applicable also.” Monika, Batch 16

“It was an eye-opener to know body language is so important in our lives, the workshop was very engaging, it increased my knowledge will surely imbibe the learning in my daily conduct.” Priyanka, Batch 16

Employability workshop: Interview Skills and Mock Interviews by Garima 

The focus of the workshop was to prepare Shalinisto to develop the confidence to appear for an interview and be informed about the procedure.

Shalinis were informed about types of interviews which are commonly conducted across the globe. This followed by the role play where one set of Shalinis were asked to interview other sets of shalinis. They worked in pairs, the interviewer, and the interviewee. Feedback from both was gathered respectively. Based on the feedback class discussed some key aspect of interview behavior and the importance of making a good first impression. It was conveyed to them by the facilitator the thing expected from them during the activity was positive language, correct body language, and clarity of speech. This roleplay made students reinforce their understanding of strong responses, positive body langu, ge and good behavior.

Finally, the students were then spoken to about stress interview questions and Behaviour related interview questions. To answer these behavior related questions Shalinis were asked to adapt STAR response (Situation, Task , Action & Result).

OUTCOME AND IMPACT

During the workshop, students were able to articulate their skill, values, interest & abilities to drive for excellence & passion for knowledge & learning. They felt that by participating and witnessing roleplays the in highly interactive workshop, they were better equipped to face interview. It was evident that by practicing their skills in highly supportive environment gave major boost to their confidence. They realized being prepared for the interview and being honest during the interview are key to success to crack toughest interview.

FEEDBACK

“Workshop was exciting, engaging, promoted reasoning and thinking. It gave major boost to my confidence to face interview.”   Neetu , 14th Batch

“A fantastic workshop. From start to end it engaged all of us. I felt fortunate enough to take part in activities and had a good opportunity to polish my interview skills.”  Neha , 14th Batch

Employability workshop: Initiative and Enterprising by Dimpika

The objective of the workshop was to develop the attitude and raise thinking level of individual from functional to purposeful. Strengthen the organization by help to take decision keeping big picture in mind and to develop prerogative for action.

Workshop started by introducing Shalinis to the rare personal quality initiative & enterprising. They were informed that initiative is to go extra mile and doing things more than you have been asked to do. It was made clear that initiative is right attitude that will enable them to stand out among their peers and be successful in their personal and professional life. It will reflect them in positive light to others and will act like catalyzer to build self-esteem. Shalini’s were made aware that taking initiative at work place will help them to identify opportunities to improve their work, identify changes happening, identify time management problems & identify sources of stress and managing them for work-life balance.

Finally, Shalinis were briefed that enterprising spirit at work can be maintained by keeping passion prevalent, possessing people’s skill, by being creative thinker, competitive by nature and hardworking. Taking initiative will strengthen their personal brand. It was stressed that instead of being reactive they should be proactive, think ahead and act.

OUTCOME AND IMPACT

By end of the session it was clear to participants they should continue to develop and grow in their role by taking initiative and this will make them desirable candidate for jobs and opportunities. It was clearly perceived by them that to taking initiative will allow them to get ahead of competition and keep them updated in the field. They all agreed that they will take initiative to keep commitments, manage change and respond proactively to challenges and problems.

FEEDBACK

“It was a fabulous workshop. I feel very educated & inspired to be proactive and take initiative in my personal life and at college.”  Kamlesh 13th Batch

“The workshop proved to be very informative. It expanded my understanding and taught me to develop self-management skills.” Ruchi 13th Batch

SEPTEMBER

Selection of New Batch: Interviews

• Out of 622 applicants, 474 were selected for written exam.
• Through the marks of written exam, a cut of list was created in which 154 candidates selected for the interview.
• The purpose of the interview is to check the aptitude of the candidate along with the support of their parents. 
• After the interview, we will move on to the final stage of selection which is the home visit of the candidates.

Success Story

Brief Details

Chapter: North Delhi

Batch: 12

Year of Induction: 2013

UC Intervention: Kanika joined the program in the year 2013, after a rigorous screening process of NAT.  From a shy reserved girl to an outspoken, confident and empowered Shalini, her journey is of remarkable and extraordinary transformation. From the workshops and exposure to Genpact she learnt how to present herself and speak confidently. Her desire to learn and excel was also admired by many associates of Genpact during her interaction with them. Through the support from her mentor, she also received career guidance which helped her in pursuing B.com Hons from Delhi University.

Current Status: Presently working as an ‘Associate Counsellor’ at Edusky Global Education in Delhi. Being extremely rooted to the program with the desire to give back, Kanika now donates a section of her salary to Udayan Care. 

“Udayan Care holds an irreplaceable place in my life. Since the day I joined the program, I wanted to live up to the very meaning of being a Shalini. The support I received from the program cannot be described in words”.