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What Is RYLA?

Rotary Youth Leadership Awards - or RYLA - is a training program for leaders and the potential leaders between the ages 14 and 30 . As a RYLA participant, you attend an all-expense-paid, one-to-ten-day camp or seminar. You will be joined by talented young people like yourself from other communities in your area.

The sponsoring Rotary clubs involved in organizing the event determine the specifics of the RYLA program. Topics are tailored to the age group in attendance, but all programs emphasize leadership skills, personal devolopment, and citizenship, RYLA events often include recreational and cultural acitvities.

Whether you are a secondary scholl student, university student, or young professional, RYLA provides a memorable opportunity to learn, grow, have fun, and make new friends, Those who complete a RYLA program are generally better able to successfully manage their own lives and careers and make a mark on society.

What RYLA offers ?

During a RYLA program, you will :

• Gain exposure to issues, and exchange ideas with thoughtful people like yourself, in an atmosphere free from distraction.
• Explore new career paths or leard more about chosen field through discussions with successful adults.
• Learn how to arrange youth activities and community service projects in your community.
• Discuss creative approaches for resolving family, social, and professional conflicts.
• Get to know Rotary decison-makers in your community and find out more about other Rotary programs for young people.

RYLA 2003

15th May 2003 to 21st May 2003 had been the most amazing week I ever had . Staying at Ooty in the prestigious Good Sheperd International School had been like a dream . Ootacamund is a wonderful hill station ,and the only one to be found in South India . Our RYLA had been hosted by the Rotary Club Of Nilgiris West RI District 3200, India . The faculty present were wonderful, headed by the renowned Rtn. PDG K. Vallabdas with other faculty members :

With a strong team of 600 students from all over India and neighbouring countries, it was bound to be a programme of top quality .

On the 14th of May 2003, I stepped down at the Ooty bus station and was greeted by a yelow backgrounded saffron lettred Welcome to the delegates of the International RYLA 2003. We were then transported over 2km. to the campus of the Good Shepherd Intl. School which looked like a castle afar seated on the peak of a hill . The moment I entered the iron gates I felt a chill down my spine . I wasn't prepared to meet these people all the six hundred of them and to speak the truth I had decided to join the course only a month back.

Well the first thing that had struck my mind was the vast playground, the monumental white washed 'Castle of Learning', the lush green gardens and ofcourse the basketball courts . The guys were hudled into a group and sent to the boys dormitory which was miles away from the girls dorms . As the day was still young, we were permitted to take a stroll around the grounds . Interacted with a few Good Sheperdians who had stayed back for the holidays for this programme .

The next days were a roller coaster ride . The ice breaker was a real classic one . There we were divided into groups of 60 and I was made a member of the group - ' Winners '. The timtable for the following days included the wake up call at 5:30 am for workout on the grouds . Sharp at 7 we were called for breakfast which was a vast spread of continental and intercontinental stuff . Then followed two sessions of two hours each on personality devolopment classes . Lunch was another gala exhibition of the cook's specialities . Followed by another two sessions . By the time we were left on our own, we were completely exhausted, and dinner was the only thing on our mind after which we could make our ways to our dorms . But before that could happen, the students we supposed to assemble at the great hall for the Plenary Session, where distinguished personalities were invited to speak on a topic or two . After dinner we were back in our bunks trying to catch up on our sleep which was next to impossible . As soon as the light went out the dormitories were abuzz with activities . I'll bet the dorm. matron was furious with our batch of boys as we never left an excuse, to party . And the next morning it was ''Didi tera dewar deewana', 'Hai ram kudiyo ko jaane jana' (a song from an old movie), playing at full volume.... yeah that was our wake up call !! The dorm. had gone bonkers on the first day with the new alarm clock . Hazy eyed we dragged ourselves to the grounds which was an atmosphere expected in fairy tales . Clouds hovering inches above our heads and lush gree bushes landscaping the mountains . Working out was one good experience .

Sunday was a day of outing and we were at the famous Botanical Gardens in downtown Ooty . Clad in yellow T-shirt and black jeans, we were one group which couldn't go unnoticed . Dotted all over the park were RYLA students admiring orchids displayed, or fruits grown to different shapes and sizes . After that we headed back to the college for the 'Band Display' . An impressive display by the pipe and brass band of the school . As it was my first experience to hear a live band, I couldn't stop applauding at their amazing display . Playing tumes like 'b-r-a-z-i-l', 'Vande Mataram' and many more tunes . Finally the day had to come to an end and we were so tired to even relate our views during the debate that night .

The final day was the last thing we had ever wanted . People were already scampering around for autographs . Students were seen with tears running down their cheeks . Some were sad cause they were leaving their girl-friends behind . Some were sad because they didn't have a girl-friend to leave behind . For the evening that day we were dressed in formals for the final closing ceremony . Various programmes were put up on stage . But the most appreciated programme that night was the cricket match put up by the faculty members . The highlight being the replay of the match, the slow motion rewind and play . It was a delight .

In this one week I had learnt more than I would have, sitting in my classroom . The experiences would stay with me till the end of time and I would like to thank the Rotary International for a programme such as this . And I would recommend this programme to my friends and let them celebrate the joys I had had .