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.

KEY HIGHLIGHTS

• Udayan care has completed 25 years of existence and has celebrated Silver Jubilee by organizing a "USF Grand Meet" in the Month of March 2019. To select Shalinis as a Chapter Representative for this event, assessments were done on the basis of writing and speaking skills. Prominent leaders, speakers, artists, volunteers and 102 Shalinis from 13 Chapters participated in this event.

• Mentorship Training conducted to train the Mentor Didis and is to make them aware of mentorship agenda/goal of the program, tell them about effective mentorship practices, get their feedback about challenges and best practices.

• 6^th Inter-Chapter Meet was conducted wherein program teams across the chapter were gathered under one roof. Chapter issues, challenges, best practices were discussed and solutions to challenges were deliberated.

• Parents Meet was conducted during this period. During the meet progress of their daughters, feedback of the program, further studies, etc were discussed.

MARCH 2019 

Session on Meditation by‘Yoga Prana Vidya Team’

A wonderful session on “Meditation” was conducted with the college-going Shalinis where the team from Yoga Prana Vidya met the Shalinis, talked to them about the importance of exercises and also made them practice simple exercises like breathing and relaxing of the body. In the other part of the workshop, they made all the Shalini meditate by following an audio clip run by them. In the last segment, they went through a healing process done by the members of the team with a crystal in their hand.

An interactive session by Satish, member of ITM Group of Education Institutions

Satish (Member of ITM Group of Education Institutions) spoke to theShalinis about courses in Banking Sectors for jobs where girls will be specialized in ‘Operations’. The registration for this course will be free of cost and there must be 50 above children in a batch to be functional. Also, he told our Shalinis that when you will be enrolled in this course it is necessary to have 75 percent attendance and your passing marks should be above 70 percent. He also discussed the benefits of this course and after talking to all of us he left giving us the registration forms.

Silver Jubilee Celebration from 7^th to 10^th March 2019

It was a celebration of 25 years of Udayan Care with three days programme based on the theme of ‘Women’s Empowerment’. Manish (Deputy Chief Minister of Delhi) graced the event with his presence and motivated shalinis for their future endeavors. 102 Shalinis all across India were invited to become a part of the celebration. Different leaders and experts as speakers were welcomed to enhance the knowledge of our Shalinis. Also, many artists came to participate and donated their artwork as an expression of support. Different activities including panel discussions, round table discussion were organized for the Shalinis and our speakers became a part of the celebration process. It was a beautiful learning experience for all present there.

APRIL 2019

Employability Workshop on ‘IT Skills- Email Writing’ by Dimpika  (USF Delhi Alumna)-

The objective of the workshop is to make Shalinis understand the components of the email and work on some guidelines for Email writing and finally to use the basic format of Emails at work. The fundamental rules in drafting the email were elaborated. Shalinis were first and foremost asked to have some serious email address. Shalinis were asked to use formal opening and closing salutation for professional emails. From the session, Shalinis understood that a well-drafted email reflects on them, improves their public perception and persona and increases the chance of a prompt and comprehensive response.

Employability Workshop on ‘Foundation–Career Awareness and Guidance’ by Bhaskar (Vice president at Contract Advertising)-

The objective of the workshop is to make shalinis understand the need for passion at work and learn how to link passion to building a career also to explore options in career choices that incorporate our passion and our skills. Shalinis were asked to discover their passion, research the field in which they would want to pursue their career and to be flexible because the road may not be smooth and one needs to make adjustments. This was followed by an activity. By the end of the workshop, Shalinis understood the importance of pursuing a career aligned with their passion.

Employability Workshop on ‘IT Skills - Using the Internet for Jobs’ by Neha  (USF Alumnae & Placement Coordinator)

The main aim of the workshop was to make aware of our Shalinis regarding the usage of the internet in the right manner. The focus of the workshop was given on ways of using the internet for jobs or internship. The session shifted to very important information on “How to create the accounts on various job portals, step by step they were explained about the same. The facilitator gave insight regarding various threats and benefits of using the internet. Discussion with the Shalinis happened on the same lines and later the session concluded with summing up the learning.

Mentorship Training by Garima (Sr. Manager-Training & Development)and Mentor-Mentee Meet-

The o Objective of the training of Mentor Didis is to make them aware of the mentorship agenda of the Udayan Care, tell them about effective mentorship practices, get their feedback about mentoring highlighting the challenges and best practices. Mentioning key focus in mentoring it was informed that it is the development of a trustful relationship, which can help influence and motivate the development of the Mentee. The agenda of Udayan Care’s Mentorship programme for USF was discussed and was reinforced as Academic Preparedness, Personality Development, and Career Orientation. On the other side, Mentor-Mentee Meet was conducted. The purpose of this meet is to help Shalinis in getting proper guidance from Mentor Didi and work upon their improvement area with effective action. 

An Interactive Session with Batch 16 on ‘Choices of Career’ and ‘IT Course’ by Saubia & Pooja (USF Delhi –Program Coordinators)

The objective of the session was to help and guide Batch 16 to talk to them about career options and what should they opt according to their interest field. The facilitator suggested some courses according to their interest in that particular field and asked them to think and then choose. The facilitator asked them to meet people, make friends, attend seminars, visit libraries, read books, etc. as this will give them good exposure and help to gain relevant knowledge. Another facilitator spoke to Shalinis about utilizing their vacations very productively and how can they enroll themselves in some IT related courses to increase their efficiency. 

English Comprehensive Test conducted

After the workshops were conducted with all the batches, the team of USF prepared an English Comprehensive Test for all the batches to test their efficiency and increase their productivity. The test started in the respective classes where they sat for their workshops. A facilitator was there to keep a check on them so that the test can be conducted honestly.

Quarterly Workshop on the topic ‘Water’ by Ashok (General Manager (HR)-CSR, NTPC Limited)

The objective of the session was to make Shalinis aware and sensitive towards depleting important natural resource of the earth ‘Water’.  It is vital for shalinis to know that some 80 percent of the world’s wastewater is dumped—largely untreated—back into the environment, polluting rivers, lakes, and oceans. It was conveyed that water is a compelling agenda for India as our drinkable water sources are finite: Less than 1 percent of the earth’s freshwater is actually accessible to us. Speaking about the importance of water in the past, it was conveyed that major civilization has existed where the rivers are. These civilizations prospered near rivers Indus, Babylon, Nile, and Yellow river. Informing about the global per capita water availability, it was communicated that India is water stressed too. This was followed by showing a video to Shalinis on major rivers of India and pollution of river Yamuna was discussed in detail. Statistics of demand breakup of India’s water requirement was analyzed and it was alarming to see how figures are increasing every year. The discussion was done on India’s rainfall pattern and also how water can be conserved and reserved.

6^TH INTERCHAPTER MEET OF UDAYAN SHALINI FELLOWSHIPS

The purpose of organizing ‘6^th Inter-Chapter Meet’ was to gather at one place to discuss the best practices and challenges of each chapter of Udayan Shalini Fellowship Program. It was conducted in North Delhi where all the program team members of Udayan Shalini Fellowship Program were invited to take part in three days of the learning experience. The Inter-Chapter meet forum proved to be a powerful medium which facilitated all the participants to mingle with each other and become familiar. During the meet issues, challenges, best practices of each Chapters were discussed. Solutions to challenges were deliberated upon and pros and cons. Strengthening of Alumnae and Mentor connectivity was debated. CIRCA (Compassion, Inspire, Respect, Competence, and Accountability) values were elaborated. It was advised to imbibe these values and express them in daily actions. Importance of Employability workshops was communicated to all and stress was laid to implement the workshops in their respective chapters for the overall growth of the Shalinis. Information regarding ‘Finance and Accounts’ was imparted to the participants, questions were taken and doubts were clarified. Discussion on SWOT (Strength, Weakness, Opportunity, and Threat) was held soon after strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats of USF were listed. The vision of USF for the year 2025 was reviewed and analyzed and also it was a rich learning experience for all participants. Overall it was fruitful 3 days’ meet making positive impressions and at the same time, it was great fun. 

MAY 2019 

Parent’s Meet by Faheem (Associate Director of USF)

The parents meet was started with an introduction of Faheem (Associate Director of Udayan Shalini Fellowship Program)and he greeted all the parents gathered there. Faheem gave all the parents a form to describe how satisfied they are with Udayan Shalini Fellowship Programme and with their daughter’s overall performance. Then a discussion with parents started by Faheem asking the parents about how did they come to know about Udayan Shalini Fellowship Program. Some said through a neighbor and some said through the school where their daughter is studying. Taking forward the session, a discussion on the financial crisis was also done where parents talked about their financial conditions and how USF’s intervention helped their daughters to pursue higher education. Some parents even heartily thanked Faheem and the entire team who are working tirelessly for a good cause. The parents were highly satisfied with the support given by Udayan Shalini Fellowship Program.  Parents even requested Faheem to have such Parents Meet in every month because of the efficiency of the meet where you get to know so many different opinions and suggestions under one roof. The discussion ended with parents being happy for their daughters, and in a spirit to help their daughters reach the zenith. Parents then took their refreshments and left with their daughters.

Session on Self-Defense by Manshi (USF –Shalini, International Taekwondo Champion)

The workshop on ‘Self-Defense’ was taken by Manshi; she has“Black Belt” in Taekwondo and is an International Taekwondo Champion. She is a gold medalist at various level (International, National, State & School). Also, she won Gold Medal in Delhi Olympic Games. It was designed for school going Shalinis. All the Shalinis gathered in an open area to learn the techniques of protecting oneself.  So, the Manshi started the workshop by warm-up exercises to make everyone relax and energetic. Then Manshi delivered some self-defense techniques to all the Shalinis present there with the demonstration. She showed Shalinis the technique of hand grip unlocking with action to make it easier for the Shalinis to understand and to practice. In this technique, she showed how to free yourself if someone has attacked you by gripping you with their hands. Another technique was of back grip unlocking where Manshi demonstrated to free yourself if someone has attacked you from behind. Next, she discussed the benefits of the scarfs we use and how can we utilize it for our defense. Some attacking techniques with scarf were demonstrated to all. The next technique which was demonstrated was of knife attacks and how to take help from it for defense. Weight putting technique was also demonstrated where the trainer made the Shalinis practice it by putting weight on certain areas to free themselves from the attacker. The workshop ended with the cool down session of Yoga to make them relax and calm.  

Session on Foundation –Values by Bhaskar (Vice –President at contract advertising)

The objective of the workshop is to make Shalinis understand the meaning of values, importance of Role Models, identify role models for themselves, discover the ways they can add value to their lives and implement same values in their lives on a daily basis.

In the beginning of the session, Shalinis were explained about the meaning of values as our core beliefs which develop over the time we grow up. It was added that these values shape up our behavior, attitude and guide our actions in daily life. Shalinis were then asked about their career aspirations. In the interaction that followed, Shalinis spoke about role models and experience that led them to the resolve of choosing the path. From the debrief it was evident that role models show young people how to live with integrity, optimism, hope, determination, and compassion where they play an essential part in their positive development.  An activity was conducted where each Shalini was asked to write 5 role models in their lives and it could be educators, civic leaders, mothers, fathers, peers, and ordinary people whom they encounter within their everyday life. They could relate the impact of positive role model sets the example in their lives to live a meaningful life and by the end of the session, Shalinis grasped that values are part of the makeup of a person. All values exist in balance within oneself.

Success Story

Name: Prerna

Course: BA English Honours from Rajdhani College (University of Delhi)

‘Without courage, wisdom bears no fruit’.

Prerna has four members in her family including her father, mother and a younger brother. Her father is a stamp maker. Her mother is a housewife whom she has always seen supporting her father in thick and thin. On the other hand, she has a younger brother full of spirit and positive energy from whom she takes a lot of inspiration. She has a good habit of asking out questions and taking upon responsibilities. She finds it fascinating to know new things about the girls in her same batch. After joining Udayan Shalini Fellowship Program, she has not only attended the workshops but learned many things including learning terms like entrepreneurship, employability, decision making, menstrual hygiene, comprehensive sex education and much more.

She has transformed herself into an active, confident and career oriented girl. She is very much focused and with the help of USF she has gained much confidence to step positively in the outer world.

Presently, she is pursuing BA English Honours from Rajdhani College (University of Delhi), and also she is a part of ‘Tryambakam Dramatic Society of Rajdhani College.’ She even got second prize in Ad-Mad competition in GOONJ Inter College Theatre Fest.