Youth Leadership Training Camp: Dalhousie
June 2015
A Youth Leadership Training Camp held in two batches at Dalhousie, Himachal Pradesh from 8th June 2015 to 15th June 2015 and from 16th June 2015 to 23rd June 2015 was organised by Dr. Ranbir Gulia, NSS Co-ordinator Maharishi Dayanand University Rohtak. Three NSS volunteers, Sahil Gandhi, Roll No. 16459; Vishal Phogat, Roll No. 15425; Prerna Kundu, Roll No. 15594 from Dronacharya College of Engineering, Gurgaon got an opportunity to attend the camp.
Day 1
At 5 p.m., all the students from different colleges gathered at the student activity centre of Maharishi Dayanand University. They were introduced to Dr. Ranbir Singh Gulia who clarified the entire do’s and don’ts for the camp and showed his concerns to every NSS volunteer. The Volunteers and faculty members boarded the bus to Dalhousie at 5:30 p.m. with a total of 25 students and 3 Faculty members.
Day 2
They reached at Jikkad, where they stayed and moved to their allotted halls. Post lunch, the faculty members divided the volunteers into groups consisting of 3 girls and 2 boys in each. The members of the group had to help in preparation and serving the food as well as cleaning the utensils. Later in the evening, they walked to Panchkula which was 1 km away from the camp. It is market place built in the lap of nature which is surrounded by rocks and beautiful waterfalls. They saw the statue of martyr Ajit Singh (the uncle of martyr Bhagat Singh). The atmosphere, weather and beauty of the place were enchanting. All the students performed cultural activities. This was a part of the camp mainly to increase their level of confidence when performing in front of any audience.
Day 3
After the early morning yoga session the teams visited the St. Francis Church. All the students were filled with enthusiasm because there was more to explore. The market of Dalhousie had a lot of amazing stuff and handicrafts. From the sightseeing point the belt of ice topped mountains and clouds can be viewed. The day ended with cultural program by the students. The faculties inspired them a lot because these activities will help the students to overcome their hesitation to perform before audience.
Day 4
The Students led by faculty members gathered for trekking at Panchkula. The trekking was a total of 4kms. In between they visited a village and interacted with the people of that area. Volunteers learned about their lifestyle and what kind of facilities they had. Then they marched ahead to Ganji Pahari where they rested.
They reached back to their camp and prepared a skit with their group. All the groups performed amazing acts on concerned issues like drugs, female foeticide etc. The winners of the skit were declared. It helped in boosting the confidence of the students.
Then the students met Mr. HAKIKAT DHANDA, CIVIL JUDGE (Jr. Div.) - CUM - SUB DIVISIONAL JUDICIAL MAGISTRATE, Dalhouise, Distt. Chamba, H.P., who was also alumni of M.D.University, Rohtak. He appreciated all the volunteers for their efforts, interest, dedication and discipline.
Day 5
The volunteers visited and explored Kala Top and Khajjiar. They first went to Kala Top where they visited Mata Pulhani Devi’s Temple and worshipped her before going to Khajjiar. They visited Khajjiar which is a place packed with the womb of nature, surrounded by huge mountains and trees.
Day 6
On the sixth day, students performed various activities related to quiz, General Knowledge, cultural programs etc. Every volunteer, belonging to different fields, shared their information therefore the event turned out to be very knowledgeable. Later they were given an hour to be ready with a speech on a topic of their choice. The Volunteers took up topics like declination of moral ethics among youth, corruption, role of women in today’s world etc. They were judged on the basis of their confidence, posture and way of delivering their speech.
Day 7
On the last day students visited different places like Jallianwala Bagh, the Golden Temple in Amritsar. Assistant Commandant Surender Singh welcomed the team and provided every detail. Mr. Upender Singh Rai guided throughout Wagha border and showed how the BSF personnel work day and night for the welfare of the civilians. The parade at Wagha border had a very great impact both on their mind and as well as heart. It ignited a patriotic feeling inside every student.
The camp taught them self-dependence, leadership and gave them a lot of memories for their future.