Report of International E-RYLA on Soft Skills Development ROTARY CLUB OF CHINCHWAD - PUNE, INDIA (Club No. 50476) is a leading Club of ROTARY DISTRICT 3131. It is one of the renowned Rotary Clubs founded in the Rotary Year 1997 with a commitment to the betterment of the masses. In its SILVER JUBILEE YEAR the Club envisaged the thought of organizing an International E-RYLA on “SOFT SKILLS DEVELOPMENT”. from 27th August to 31st August, 2021. Rotary Club of Chinchwad -Pune, India (Rotary District 3131), Rotary Club of Alabang Madrigal Central, Manila, Philippines (Rotary District 3830) and Department of English, P.D.E.A’s Prof. Ramkrishna More Arts, Commerce and Science College, Akurdi, Pune, India jointly organised the International E-RYLA on “SOFT SKILLS DEVELOPMENT” from 27th August to 31st August, 2021. The E-RYLA had the representation of 26 diverse Countries, namely, India, Nigeria Bangladesh, Indonesia, Philippines, Nepal, Pakistan, Tanzania, France, Italy, Malaysia, USA, Brazil, UK, Germany, Turkey, Egypt, Burkina Faso, Kenya, Norway, Finland, UAE, Mauritius, Austria, Australia, Singapore and different Rotary and Rotaract International Districts across the globe. Along with the Rotaractors, Rotexers, Interactors, Annets, the E-RYLA was open for teachers and students across the globe. The resource persons from the United States of America, Australia, Austria (EU), Finland, Brazil, Indonesia and Philippines spoke on diverse topics related to SOFT SKILLS, ranging from Leadership Skill, Time management, Positive Thinking, Stress Management to Creative Problem Solving. The E-RYLA received a stupendous response with a total 1706 participants, out of which 344 were exclusively from countries other than India. There were 138 Rotarians, 276 Rotaractors, 240 Interactors, 2 Rotexers, 159 Teachers and 899 Under-Grads, Post-Grads, Research Scholars. The E-RYLA was inaugurated on 27th August, 2021at the hands of D.G. Rtn Pankaj Shah, RID 3131. He congratulated Rotary Club Chinchwad, Pune for organising the first International E-RYLA on Soft Skills Development in RID 3131. He appreciated the representation of 26 countries in the E-RYLA. In her Introductory Speech President Rtn Prof. Dr. Shilpagauri Prasad Ganpule stated that the International E-RYLA was organised as a part of the Silver Jubilee Celebrations of Rotary Club Chinchwad, Pune, India, RID 3131. She welcomed the participants across the globe and gave the credit of the success of the mammoth E-RYLA to her Team of Rotary Club Chinchwad Pune and her co-ordinating partners. Rtn. Gauri Shikarpur, Director, Youth Services, RID 3131 emphasized the need for organising such International E-RYLAs for reaching beyond the confines of one’s own District. She stated that Soft Skills are immensely important in the 21st century and hence it is indeed a praiseworthy thing to choose “Soft Skills” as a theme of E-RYLA. Principal Dr. Abhay Khandagale, Prof. Ramkrishna More College, Akurdi, Pune, India appreciated and congratulated the noble venture of Rotary Club Chinchwad Pune. PP Rtn. Dr. Charles Grant, President of Rotary Club of North Shore, Houston and the Founding Chairman of International Fellowship of Rotary Educators, was the Guest of Honour. In his speech he said that the rotaractors are the backbone of Rotary and they should be motivated to lead the world. He spoke about the projects undertaken by the Rotaract Clubs in Houston, Texas, USA. Rtn. Justin Ho Guo Shun, Rotary Club of Alabang Madrigal Business Park, Manila, Philippines Rotary District 3830, Co-coordinator attended the session and Rtn Dr. Alexie Reyes, Secretary, Rotary Club of Alabang Madrigal Business Park, Manila, Philippines Rotary District 3830, gave the vote of thanks. Rtn. Madhumita Bishnu, Chairman of International Fellowship of Rotary Educator and the Member of Rotary E- Club of Melbourne, Australia spoke on the topic “Rotaractors are Born to Lead”. She stated that the rotaractors are the real leaders, as they develop themselves through the different Rotaract projects and activities. They are focussed, inspired and positive and they transmit the same positive energy to the world around them. The speech concluded up with a brainstorming Question/Answer Session. The programme was compered by PP Rtn Surendra Sharma and the Vote of Thanks was given by Rtn Dr. Alexandrea Reyes, Rotary Club of Alabang Madrigal Central, Manila, Philippines. Rtn Ganesh Kudale, Task Force Secretary, Rotary District 3131, Rtn Dr Shubhangi Kothari, Assistant Governor, Rotary District 3131, Rtn Sanjay Khanolkar, Club Trainer, Assistant Governor, Rotary District 3131, Rtn Prasad Ganpule, Secretary and Rtn. Parag Joshi, Director, Youth Services, Rotary Club Chinchwad, Pune, and Rtn. Justin Ho Guo Shun, Rotary Club of Alabang Madrigal Business Park, Manila, Philippines Rotary District 3830, Co-coordinator were present for the Session. On 28th August, 2021 Rtn Dr Shubhangi Kothari, Assistant Governor, Rotary District 3131 and the Guest of Honour gave best wishes to the organisation of the E-RYLA. Prof. Dr. Manjusha Dhumal, Co-coordinator, Department of English, Prof. Ramkrishna More College, Akurdi, Pune introduced the Resource Persons. Rtn Dr. Alex Reyes, Chairman of Programmes and Partnerships, Rotary Club of Alabang Madrigal Business Park, Manila, Philippines in her speech on “Positive Thinking” spoke about the importance of positive thinking in becoming successful in any profession. She gave many examples of successful people who brought glory to their lives through their positive thoughts. Ms. Shama Padalkar, Former Faculty, Purdue University, Columbus, U.S.A. delivered a lecture on “Time Management”. She spoke about the significance of time in human life and its importance in becoming successful in both personal and professional lives. She gave commonplace examples to emphasise the unprecedented role of time in the lives of youth. President Rtn Prof. Dr. Shilpagauri Prasad Ganpule gave the vote of thanks.The session was compered by Ms. Renuka Singh. On 29th August, 2021 President Rtn Prof. Dr. Shilpagauri Prasad Ganpule welcomed the dignitaries and resource persons and talked about the motto of the International E-RYLA to enhance the soft skills in the Youth in order to augment their employability. Prof. Dr. Manjusha Dhumal, Co-coordinator, Department of English, Prof. Ramkrishna More College, Akurdi, Pune introduced the Resource Person and the Chairperson. Dr. Christina DeCoursey, Director, Headra Research Associates, Vienna, Austria talked about “Effective Communication”. She gave wonderful tips to the Youth regarding the significance of effective communication in the application process. She elaborated the students about the way the Curriculum Vitae, Covering Letter are written and also stated the importance of drafting a new letter everytime one applies for a post in order to avoid self plagiarism. Rtn. Florensia Wiyono Daryanto, New Generation Service Exchange Chair and Assistant Governor, 2021-2022, Rotary District 3420, Indonesia was the Chairperson for the Session. She introduced the audience to the varied schemes of the New Generation Service Exchange Programme of Rotary International. She also motivated the youth with her inspirational talk. Rtn Sanjay Khanolkar, Club Trainer, Assistant Governor, Rotary District 3131, gave the vote of thanks. The session was compered by Ms. Renuka Singh. On 30th August, 2021 Prof. Dr. Manjusha Dhumal, Co-coordinator, Department of English, Prof. Ramkrishna More College, Akurdi, Pune introduced the Resource Person and the Chairperson. Dr. Kalika Uttarkar, a Psychological Counsellor from Dallas, Texas, U.S.A. conducted the Session on “Stress Management through Yoga”. She elucidated the topic by introducing the audience with the basic concepts of Patanjal Yoga and how it can be applied to our daily chores to make life stress free and happy. She also demonstrated some easy techniques to immediately reduce the circumstantial stress. Rtn Jany Hide Okubo Hatanaka, D 4420 Countries Correspondent in Youth Exchange Programme and New Generation Service Exchange, Brazil was the Chairperson for the Session. She introduced the audience to the varied schemes of the Youth Exchange Programme and New Generation Service Exchange Programme of Rotary International. She also motivated the youth with her inspirational talk. Rtn Sanjay Khanolkar, Club Trainer, Assistant Governor, Rotary District 3131, gave the vote of thanks. The session was compered by Ms. Renuka Singh. On 31st August, 2021 President Rtn Prof. Dr. Shilpagauri Prasad Ganpule welcomed the dignitaries and resource persons. Prof. Dr. Manjusha Dhumal, Co-coordinator, Department of English, Prof. Ramkrishna More College, Akurdi, Pune introduced the Resource Person and the Chairperson. Ms. Shirin Kulkarni, the Founder and Research Director, Council for Creative Education, Finland expressed her views on “Creative Problem Solving”. She claimed that all sorts of problems can be solved creatively. The International Rotary Youth Icon Awards 2021 were given by Rotary Club Chinchwad -Pune to Rotaractor Irene Squitieri, Rotaract Club of Torre del Greco-Comuni Vesuviani, Rotaract District 2100, Italy and Rotaractor Ezebuilo Chidiebere Victor, President, Rotaract Club of Enugu Municipal (C/B), Rotaract District 9142, Nigeria for their exemplary contribution for the social cause. The video clips showcasing varied projects conducted by the awardees were screened. The national anthems of Italy and Nigeria were followed by the thanks giving speech by the awardees. The session was compered by Rtn Anagha Ratnaparkhi. Rtn Dr. Deepali Patekar, Director, Economic Development and Environment, RotaryClub Chinchwad - Pune gave the vote of thanks. The Rotary year 2021-22 started with a bang!!! The first ever international E-RYLA of Rotary International District 3131 organised by Rotary Club Chinchwad - Pune, India along with the collaborative partners, namely, Rotary Club of Alabang Madrigal Central, Manila, Philippines (Rotary District 3830) and Department of English, P.D.E.A’s Prof. Ramkrishna More Arts, Commerce and Science College, Akurdi, Pune, India got stupendous success with the overwhelming response of participants from all corners of the globe.