Dr. Madhav Chavan wins 2012 WISE Prize for Education

Dr. Madhav Chavan was awarded the World Innovation Summit for Education (WISE) Prize for Education on the 13th of November, 2012. The WISE award was launched by Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development in 2009 upon the initiative of Qatar Foundation Chairperson, Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser. This annual event is an international, multi-sectoral platform for creative thinking, debate and purposeful action. WISE also raises the status of education through a growing number of year-round programs. The winner of the WISE Prize for Education is determined by a Jury of eminent individuals of global stature following a call for nominations and an initial selection by a pre-Jury of education experts.

The Laureate of the 2012 WISE Prize for Education was announced at the opening plenary session of the fourth World Innovation Summit for Education (WISE) in Doha, Qatar, before more than 1,200 innovators from over 100 countries, including figures from the worlds of social enterprise, business, government, media and education.

Congratulating the Laureate, WISE Chairman H.E. Dr Abdulla bin Ali Al-Thani said: “Madhav Chavan serves as an inspiration to all of us. His story combines the passion of a social entrepreneur with the patience and method of a scientist.  His approach shows that the most important resources for successful innovation are a clear vision, determination and the ability to apply unrecognized capacities to a shared cause. Madhav Chavan has brought light into the lives of many millions of people and I congratulate him on his remarkable achievement.”

Accepting the WISE Prize for Education, Madhav Chavan said: "Some 25 years ago I saw that new thinking was needed to improve the lives of the millions of underprivileged in my country. Many individuals and organizations have contributed to what has been achieved, and I share this tribute with them. WISE is pursuing a similar mission on a global scale, and I applaud its bold vision and inclusive approach. This Prize is a major landmark that reminds me how much more remains to be done.  It is an enormous honor for me to be recognized by this unique community of innovators, and I hope to perform my duties as a global ambassador for education to the best of my ability.”

Please click on the links below to view various articles, press releases and pictures:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-20272305

http://www.media.wise-qatar.org/2012-wise-prize-for-education-awarded-to-madhav-chavan/

http://www.indianexpress.com/news/indian-awarded-top-education-prize-in-doha/1031095/

http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2012-11-14/news/35110812_1_numeracy-indian-scholar-world-innovation-summit

WISE Coverage Report, 2012

Le Monde Report on the event

Watch the related videos at:

http://www.wise-qatar.org/content/2012-wise-prize-laureate-dr-madhav-chavan

http://www.wise-qatar.org/content/closing-plenary-session-3

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6F9sIE15R0M

http://youtu.be/8C-kljWeKDI

http://www.skollfoundation.org/madhav-chavan-wins-education-award/

My experience at an Awareness Mela

- by Ashvini Sawant

I recently visited the Awareness mela (job fair) that was conducted in the Beed district of Maharashtra. The purpose of an awareness mela was to provide information about employment opportunities to youth in that particular locality and to give information and guidance related to the different courses that Pratham Institute offered. This Awareness Mela was one among the 5 melas that was to be used as a proof of concept.

The moment of epiphany

- by Rohin Kumar

As the last student stepped out of the room, I looked down at my watch , it was 9.00 pm. I has spent the past 12 hours with our hospitality students. It was the placement-day and things had not gone as expected. I had just got done with the mock interviews for our students to help them feel more confident. As I stepped out, the lights in the hallway of our training center in Aurangabad were dim. I got a call from my mother and throughout the conversation my frustration & irritation was quite evident, as I kept on reiterating to her that I had been working for 12 hrs and things didn’t seem pretty. After my conversation with her, I was thinking of different ways to motivate myself and the students, when lights from the admin room drew my attention. It was Avinash, our admin guy (actually our one man army), who takes care of many ground-level things in the centre, from collating data to reaching out to the students.

Swathy's first-hand experience at Pratham

- by Swathy Swaminathan

I joined Pratham after an MBA, with an aim to make a difference to the world.  I joined on the 10th of May 2012 and haven’t looked back since. The place is brimming with people out to make a positive impact on the world. My first few days were spent getting to know everybody at Pratham. I was quite amazed at the network and the reach of Pratham. Every Pratham employee worked with the ultimate objective of improving someone’s life. The passion for change, and the determination to work towards the same, was widespread amongst the employees. For those who are travel enthusiasts there is no dearth of opportunities to visit the spectacular countryside. Pratham’s network reaches out into the remote corners of the country. Depending on the program one is associated with, one can travel the length and breadth of the country. One can witness the amazing work that Pratham is doing for the poor kids across the country. One can feel the dedication of our ground level staff in improving the lives of the students.

All in all, Pratham has widened my horizons and given me a new perspective on the social sector. I am sure it can do the same to you.

- Swathy joined Pratham a few months back and works in the Placement team.

Suryaprakash - our student who is a national level gold medalist in archery

- by Rudro Sen

Suryaprakash Ahari is a 19 year old student at our PACE Centre in Udaipur. He hails from a village called Saradit in Jhadol, Udaipur in Rajasthan. He is the eldest amongst 3 brothers and a sister in a family of farmers.

He was studying in Udaipur when he developed a keen interest in sports and discovered a true passion for archery. When his Uncle Limba Ram, Asian Games and Commonwealth Gold Medallist and Olympian, learnt of this interest he asked Suryaprakash to come to Jaipur and train under him. At the age of 17, he participated in 3 National Games, winning a Silver medal in Delhi.

He later participated in 3 more National Games and won his first National Gold medal in Mumbai. The Rajasthan Government, Udaipur Sarkar and the Khel Ministry commemorated this achievement. With his class 12 board exams fast approaching he developed a very serious lung complication for which he had to be admitted to a specialist hospital in Ahmedabad for two weeks. He still gave his exams and succeeded in bringing home a certificate.He is now undertaking a Bachelor of Arts degree in Jhadol.

Suryaprakash enjoyed his stint in Jaipur and talks very fondly about his encounter with IPL cricket players while practicing archery outside the cricket stadium. The players saw Suryaprakash and his peers practicing archery and approached them to try their hand at another sport. They spoke to Suryaprakash about coming from rural backgrounds themselves and how they have reached where they are now. This encouraged Suryaprakash to do something for himself and aim to reach even further.

His quest to succeed developed further when a relative who worked at Pratham, Rajasthan spoke to him about the programs offered by Pratham. This encouraged Suryaprakash to look into Pratham and he enrolled himself for the hospitality program. He initially thought he was getting into a basic computer course but was pleasantly surprised to find himself in a detailed vocational program which would enable him to get a good job and sustain himself financially.

He has taken a keen interest in House Keeping, which has developed from his own pursuit of living in a neat and clean home. He aims to become a House Keeping Manager one day.

He dreams of representing India in Archery but is concerned as the equipment is very expensive. Once he finishes his course he hopes to get placed in a good hotel and use his salary to accomplish this dream. He also hopes to encourage his younger siblings to follow his path including a brother who too has taken up archery.