A Story Worth Sharing

Submitted By: Randhir Singh

Location: India

Every AYVian’s life delivers a story worth telling well.
Let me acquaint you with my story.

The story of how a boy hailing from a middle class family is today studying amongst the brightest minds of India, how he got an opportunity to travel all across the seven seas to the United States and witness the fancy stuff every Indian child dreams of.

Sounds fairy? Nah, it’s real.

Let’s start from the beginning. I was in grade 8 when I first heard of Adobe’s AYV program, my educator Miss Rajsri Rammohan introduced me to it. Completely unaware of its infinities back then, I jumped at the opportunity and took part in it.

My journey was packed with learning a bunch of new skills. Our mentor from AIF Mr. Roopak familiarized us with the techniques of using video cameras and filming shots at various angles, thus kick starting my media journey. Handling these digital tools seemed a bit alien and challenging to me at first, but thanks to this program I gradually became a pro. The best thing about AYV program is that there is no leader, everyone has to work equally hard to bring the change they seek. We had meetings, group discussions and parties. I learned variety of media making skills from Photo Essays to Stop Motion Animation. I was a part of documentaries like MUJHE HAQ HAI, NEW MORN, MOBILE NA BABA NA, OUR ENVIRONMENT (Stop Motion Animation), THE CHANGE. We presented our documentary “MUJHE HAK HAI” to the inhabitants and government officials of Village Nithari in association with SADRAG (Social and Development Research and Action Group), an organization working for free education of village children. It created an impact, our school offered free education to some of the students studying there. That day, I realized the power of media.

The biggest transformation came when I was selected for the first AYV Summit, California. A brand new version of Randhir was unleashed who could now easily interact and gel in with his global counterparts. I got a chance of learning special effects from expert like Mr. David Nakabayashi. Exposure to the work of my global counterparts helped in boosting my creative skills.

Adobe has helped me in every sphere of my life. Adobe provided me the chance to attend college by granting me AYV Scholarship. Its recent Mentor program and comprehensive Strength Finder Assessment has made me realize my strengths and get assistance whenever needed.

When I look back, I can undoubtedly claim that taking part in AYV program has been the turning point of my life. My notable achievements like First Runner up in IIE Photo Contest are all because of AYV program and constant support of educators like Marisa Vitiello, Stacey Chapple and Amy Juelsgaard.

Today I have an Internship offer from Alstom Global Transport, a French MNC and I would like to thank Adobe’s AYV program for making me what I am and for bestowing upon me the opportunity to write my own success story.