The BreakFree Challenge - Winners
Kolkata - Winner
Name: CA Jagir Singh Jabbal
Chapter: Kolkata
Challenge: Learn how to fly a Drone
About Jagir
Chartered Accountant and Promoter/ Director of Contemporary Group which is engaged in Technical Services/ Trading/ Skills Training and Fintec.
Miltonian since 2001 having served as Chapter President/ ex Chairman MCT/ Trustee Central Trust/ National Coordinator for New Revolution of India/ Chairman Empower’13/ Member National Council/ Kolkata Growth Club Member/ Global Secretary General
Married to Wife Manbir who is also Co Promoter/ Co Director and a full work colleague.
Elder daughter Harleen married to Jaspal and settled at Seattle, USA
Younger daughter Manveen, married to Jay and settled at London, UK
About the Challenge
Learn about Drones and practice sufficient skills to fly the stage-1 drone which is permitted under the revised aviation laws in India. Drones are at the leading edge of innovations for Logistics and warfare
besides very large number of uses that are developing beyond photography and inspections which has been around for a while.
#1 I enrolled for a course with the Drone Academy, London to provide myself with authentic content and have the confidence to go ahead and purchase a small drone which is fairly expensive.
#2 Purchased a drone Model Number: DJI MINI 2SE
#3 Practiced by flying it at various locations in the UK where I was able to do around 10 recordings
#4 I am confident of using it to capture scenery and also to do a few special shots using automated commands available on the drone.
Kolkata - Special Mention
Name: Abhay Mishra
Chapter: Kolkata
Challenge: Vedic chanting
About Abhay
An FCA by qualification and a Strategy Finance Consultant by profession, he has around 40 years of experience behind him. His key competencies include Strategic Consulting; Macro Studies; Concept building, Curating ideas Financial modelling.
He has authored a book on life experiences called ‘SOUL CALL’ and also writes speaks on Self-transformation as well as Strategic management. He is passionate about Darshan Indic culture; the esoteric and loves reading Science fiction. A comedian at heart, he likes to describe himself as an Aesthete, a connoisseur of food, a Traveler as well as a Story-teller.
Has served in many important roles in MILT, including Chapter President, Convention Secretary General, and Convention Chairman. He is also a multiple winner of the Convention Cups including Fantasizing, Dramatics, TTI 9 TPs
About the Challenge
Vedic chanting
The Vedas are a vast collection of spiritual texts that contain prayers, hymns and ‘mantras’. The Ṛṣi-s ‘heard’ them in deep states of meditation. The Vedas have been preserved for millennia through a hoary oral tradition. This practice is recitation (chanting) not singing because instead of the 7 notes we use 3 notes, with a few variations within these 3 notes.
Taittirīya Upaniṣat has laid down the rules of this science of phonetics which include: Varṇa (pronunciation); Svara (chanting notes); Mātrā (duration); Balam (force); Sāma (continuity) and Santāna (punctuation conjugation).
The deeper philosophy behind this is that there is a primordial vibration from which everything originates – Every object starts as vibration that includes both, the object in its physical form and corresponding sound
Apart from great impact of physical and mental well-being, and experiential path that leads back to the source – it can be used as a device to reverse the trajectory of manifestation – starting with sound and going back to creation
I have learnt mantras from Vedas Upanishads as well as hymns from Gita. The journey continues as I find that it resonates within me
Mumbai - WINNER
Name: Rahul Gavankar
Chapter: Mumbai
Challenge:To learn guitar and perform
About Rahul
Rahul, Trained under Danny to become a miltonion in 2017. Strongly believes and follows MILT HR principles.
- A mechanical engineer and director of Roof Glaze Infra Pvt.Ltd.
- An educationalist and Treasurer of An educational trust.Initiated and running Isaac Newton Global School. A CBSE school and other aided schools and collage.
- Very passionate about music and other forms of art.
- Even not learned the official music can play Mouth organ.
- Wanted to learn western musical notes and to learn playing guitar since long, but due to business and family commitments could not do.
- Break free challenge gave an opportunity to fulfil the wish to do so.
About the Challenge
Subject: To learn musical instrument ‘Guitar’ with western music notations.
Final result: To perform guitar with any Hindi Bollywood song ( probably with vocal)
Plan:
Steps 1 – To buy an instrument.
Steps 2 – To join a coaching
Steps 3 – To decide and plan the practice I need, with my coach to achieve final result.
Steps 4 – To decide the schedule for practicing.
MILESTONES
August End – To purchase the instrument and start learning under a coach.at least to know the guitar basics and getting ease on the instrument.
September End– To learn fingering on guitar and western notes. To study and know essentials of performing with guitar.
October End– To know various cords and its placing while accompanying a song. Also to study the various scales and its relation with a song. To start playing leads and strumming patterns.
November End– To play the various cords and changing the finger positions. Also To know the various strumming patterns to create perfect rhythm.
December End – To short list finalize the songs to perform on stage in convention.
Mumbai - Special mention
Name:Rajan Vithal Gaonkar
Chapter: Mumbai
Challenge:Break the inhibition to raise funds for a Social cause.
About Rajan
Rajan Gaonkar is a Miltonian from Mumbai. He has a passion for serving the society. In this endeavour he has been doing multiple activities like Teaching the children in slum areas, extending financial help to the needy, mentoring students, helping youth to get skilled so that they get employment etc.
He is also an environment conservationist. He has planted more than a 1000 trees till date.
About the Challenge
• Background: I was doing social work at a personal level. I wanted to do more. I was constrained due to limited resources and funds. I was feeling a bit shy to approach others for help.
• I wanted to shed the inhibition so that I could contribute more to the society. This project helped me in doing that.
• How did it start? The trigger was an act in which we donated the prize money of Rs. 10000 for charitable purpose after winning it as a prize money in a cricket tournament organised in our housing society, Runwal Greens.
• I along with my friend Vivek floated the thought of continuing this activity on a continuous basis. Thus, we formed the Greens Seva group with a noble intention of giving back to the society and spread happiness amongst the lesser privileged.
• The group grew larger from an initial base of almost 20 friends to more than 200 members from our society.
• To maintain transparency and accountability we registered the group as Charitable Association of Greens residents (CAGR), an NGO. I am one of the three Director’s in this NGO.
Charitable Association of Greens Residents (CAGR)
Vision
To help underprivileged children and senior citizens.
To start various welfare programs for Runwal Greens staff members and the helpers who visit the society. To keep the process transparent and inclusive.
- Who we are: We are residents of Runwal Greens who want to help the lesser privileged.
- How do we do it? – We first accumulate leads, personally visit the beneficiaries to assess their requirements and have one-to-one interactions, discuss in the group and accordingly, carry out
donation drives to meet these specific needs. - We scout for places within 50 km. radius from Mumbai where the benefits don’t reach.
- Our initial aim was to do one activity per month. We had targeted to complete 9 activities by Nov. But due to the enthusiasm and support of the members we were able to complete more than 20 activities. (The date wise activities are mentioned in the Newsletter.)
- From a small fund in thousands, we could grow into a fund of INR 6 lakhs plus which helped us in making more impact. It is still very less, but nonetheless we have ensured that each penny reaches the really needy people.
Sustainability: We as Mentors are encouraging participation from new Volunteers and are grooming them as new leaders.
Middle East- WINNER
Name: Karthik Arumugam
Chapter: Middle East
Challenge: Volunteering at MRS Simultala and Raising Awareness of
MILT & MRS with his network
About Karthik
Karthik Arumugam hails from Coimbatore – Tamilnadu, India. Currently living in Dubai with his family over a decade. IT Professional, currently working as a Head of IT Delivery for flydubai airlines in UAE.
He has been associated with MILT since June 2021, part of the founding team of Middle East Chapter and being part of the Executive Committee.
He loves to collaborate with likeminded people and engage in various charitable activities and events. He likes to invest his time in developing communication and leadership skills as it helps to become a better version of self. He believes that “No one can do everything, but everyone can do something, and together we can change the world.”
About the Challenge
Since Karthik is living abroad, he chose to physically volunteer at MRS Simultala as he believes that the greatest gift that you can ever give someone is your time.
As part of the BreakFree’23 challenge he made his plan to visit and perform the Academic and administration review activities.
Key Activities covered are,
– Students Academics Score Review and interaction with individual students on their performances
– Observed each class across Grade 6 to Grade 12 with various teachers and identify the opportunities and shared feedback to the MRS Vice Principal and Teachers
– Reviewed other day to day administrations and participating in various activities such as Morning Jog, Library Hour Knowledge Sharing Session, Playing Cricket, identify individual talents of the children and conducted an evening to share the individual’s talents along with Celebrating children’s birthdays etc.
– Set up the school laptop to use free online programming platform and educated the interested students
– Educated the Kitchen Staff by sharing YouTube Recipe Videos (Hindi) to improve the food preparation, quality and in prepared delicious meals throughout and offered to children to bring positive change in the menu and apparently, they were quite happy with trying out new dishes.
– Raised awareness about MILT & MRS among friends and colleagues, collected donation through a family event whereby avoided their presents/gifts instead collected cash towards MRS Charitable cause and including self-contribution in total donated INR 100,000 towards MRS.
Middle East- Special Mention
Name: Anitha Venkatachalapathy
Chapter: Middle East
Challenge:My Musical Journey – Learn Piano
About Anitha
Anitha Venkatachalapathy , a Lovely Mom of 8 years old boy”Aswinraaj” and wife of a Handsome Husband “Karthik Ellappan” ; Working as a Agile Delivery Manager and loves nature , yoga and arts ; Optimistic and works towards upskilling professionally , personally and socially; Strongly committed to help people in all possible ways and bring smile in people.
About the Challenge
Love on Music and playing Piano – Interest started at the age of 11 yrs looking at my best friend’s father playing “pardesi song from Raja Hindustani” and that day I decided to learn Piano
Though I was interested , My father couldn’t afford to send me for the classes nor its easy to find a master in my home town
As I grew up , priorities changed and though money was there , but having “no time” was always an excuse. And always learning Piano was in my subconscious mind
Break free gave me the opportunity to kick off my Music journey after long awaited year and NOW started my journey to learn Piano , a newly added skill to my profile
My right hand pain was troubling me continuously after I enrolled for the challenge and finally overcome all the troubles (What may come I will do it ! ) and now I am able to play a song without any issues.
Best part of this Journey , I had made an impact in my son who is 8 years Old to learn Piano ; What ever I missed in my child hood I wanted my son to at least experience and when ever I say Come lets start
learning Piano ,he always says No
Now , he started learning Piano and we started playing together ;
My journey forward ! , I love to continue learning and orchestrate for NGO events (2 hrs. continuously Playing Piano would be my target goal) and also spread the knowledge of Music to the people around .
Music is Love
Middle East- Special Mention
Name:Jatinder
Chapter: Middle East
Challenge: Short Story writing
About Jatinder
An engineering graduate working in airlines industry for last 7 years.
Working with IndiGo in Gurgaon, India. Like to read books during my free time.
Completed my MILT training in February 2022.
About the Challenge
Writing short stories with entertainment and inspirational value. Have written 3 stories.
Below approaches were used to approach story writing :
a story can be based on personal experience – important lessons life has taught a person and the story behind them.
Story based on imagination or dreams. Focus shouldn’t be on the message; the message can come as a side effect of the storyline.
It can be a love story, drama, success story, or a funny story to lighten the mood. in fact, every little incident, if properly told, can be converted into a story.
Chennai - WINNER
Name: Noel Jacob
Chapter: Chennai
Challenge:Learning Musical Instrument (Piano)
About Noel
Doing Post-Graduation in Loyola College
Earlier Completed B.A. Economics from Loyola College
Passionately playing Badminton and then learning Video Editing
About the Challenge
I for a long time wanted to learn a musical instrument, but I couldn’t for personal, academical and logistical challenges. I wanted to overcome these challenges and learn piano.
The Breakfree challenge propelled me to take up learning piano. Piano is considered to be an important instrument in any concerts and parties. So, I enrolled in one of the renowned and the oldest Musical Institute in Chennai ‘Musee Musicals’ in the month of June, 2023, to pass the Grades as set by the Trinity College of Music.
I have been practicing piano ever since and about to take the Test of Grade 01 as set by Trinity College.
With the impetus given by the Breakfree Challenge, I am sure, I will complete higher grades and be certified by Trinity College, London as a professional.
Chennai - Special Mention
Name: Geetha Sridhar
Chapter: Chennai
Challenge: To Learn Acrylic painting on canvas.
About Geetha
I am a graduate in Physics with a post graduate degree in Computer Applications. I have worked in companies like ITC ltd and Pentafour Software in software development, Quality Assurance and Training.
I have experience in varied areas like Montessori Training and Publishing. Currently I am a freelance Publishing Consultant.
I graduated from MILT Attitudinal Workshop – I held at Chennai in March 1997. I am a MILT National Champion in TTC and have won a cup for my Technical Paper “How pandemic helped me grow” at Harmony 21. I was a convention MC at Inspiration 2K10 held at Chennai.
I am one of the facilitators at Mumbai Miltonian Arunaagiri’s Golden Hour for Holistic well being.
My interest are ready story books, self-help books, Hindu scriptures, Yoga, Zumba, Sanskrit, Singing , Mandala-art and cookery.
About the Challenge
I was interested in drawing and painting since my childhood. I didn’t get the opportunity to learn this formally. My daughter is an artist/painter. She would always be painting when she is free .Although I wanted to do painting looking at her, I was hesitant.
When Breakfree Convention came up with a novel idea of Breakfree challenge. My happiness knew no bounds. I jumped into it. I joined the drawing class near my house in July this year and started to learn painting.
I wanted to start on canvas with acrylic painting. Initially I painted some flowers, boats, huts and slowly graduated to Landscape painting. The painting I am submitting for Breakfree Challenge is the painting of a snow capped mountain with river and trees in its foreground. I am really grateful to Breakfree convention for pushing me to learn something new.
Pune - WINNER
Name: Amit Chordia
Chapter: Pune
Challenge: Cycling
About Amit
Amit, serving as the esteemed President of the Pune Chapter, is known for his dynamic leadership and commitment to various social causes. His role involves not only guiding the chapter but also championing initiatives that make a tangible difference in the community. Professionally, Amit is a Chartered Accountant, distinguished by his expertise and ethical approach in the financial sector. Beyond his professional and social engagements, Amit is also a skilled cricketer. His prowess on the cricket field is well-regarded, showcasing his team spirit and strategic thinking. Amit’s multifaceted personality combines professional excellence, social responsibility, and a passion for sports, making him a respected
and influential figure in his community.
About the Challenge
Taking on a new challenge can be both daunting and exhilarating, especially when it involves a physical activity like cycling that one has never attempted before. This was precisely the case for an individual who had never cycled but decided to set a remarkable goal: to cycle 100 kilometres in one stretch.
The challenge began with initial hesitations, as the person had no prior experience in cycling. However, the determination to achieve this feat was strong. The journey towards this ambitious target involved numerous steps, starting with learning the basics of cycling. This included understanding the mechanics of the bike, learning to balance, and gradually increasing endurance and strength.
Pune - Special Mention
Name: Pritesh Oswal
Chapter: Pune
Challenge: Cycling
About Pritesh
Pritesh, serving as the Vice President of the Pune Chapter, is known for his strategic leadership and innovative thinking. His role involves steering the chapter towards growth and success. Apart from his
professional prowess, Pritesh is a coffee enthusiast, skilled in brewing exceptional coffee that delights both in taste and aroma.
His passion for food is evident in his cooking, where he loves experimenting with diverse cuisines, reflecting his creative spirit. In the realm of technology, Pritesh excels as a problem-solver, utilizing tech solutions for complex challenges. He embraces new challenges enthusiastically, seeing them as opportunities for growth and learning.
Pritesh’s blend of leadership, technological expertise, and passion for continuous personal development make him a respected and versatile individual in both professional and personal spheres. His approachable nature combined with professional dedication sets him apart as a dynamic and impactful figure.
Challenge Details
Embarking on a journey from never having cycled 5 kilometres at a stretch to setting an ambitious goal of completing 100 kilometers in one go, this challenge represents a remarkable feat of determination and perseverance. Initially, cycling even short distances seemed daunting. The physical demands, coupled with the mental endurance required, were significant hurdles to overcome. However, the decision to not only take up cycling but to set a lofty target of 100 kilometers was fuelled by a desire to push personal boundaries and test limits.
The journey began with small, consistent steps. Gradually increasing the distance and intensity of the cycling sessions, the initial struggles gave way to steady progress. Each pedal pushed forward was a step
closer to the goal, building not just physical stamina but mental resilience as well. Overcoming initial discomfort, fatigue, and the mental barriers of self-doubt, the journey became as much about personal growth as it was about cycling.
Bengaluru - WINNER
Name: Gopinath Prabhu
Chapter: Bangalore
Challenge: Composting Dog Poop
About Gopinath
Mltn Gopinath Prabhu. Did Milt in 1990 December along with my wife Kusum. Have 3 children, two daughters and a son. Textile engineer by qualification. Never worked in textile industry. Hotelier by profession. New Krishna Bhavan NKB since 1954. In one convention in Bangalore breakfast was catered by NKB. Besides during all convention in Bangalore around 100 delegates got an opportunity to savour breakfast at my place. Part of Cubbon Park walking group started an NGO Advika Foundation a shelter for socio economical backward girls 6 to 12 years.
About the Challenge
I started garbage management from 2013. Made my restaurant a zero waste entity being the first in Bangalore.
2023 my daughter Mltn Chinthana started a NGO Freagle farm a shelter for 60+ dogs.
Mandated me to make it zero waste entity. It was new challenge since I had to manage animal waste. I finally achieved something done for the first time in Bangalore.
I completed the whole process in 6 months time and provided a viable model to compost dog poop.
Bengaluru - Special Mention
Name: Gunasekar
Chapter: Bangalore
Challenge: Complete a draft book on transformation solely founded on a fundamental principle that governs the universe. This fundamental principle is called Dharma
About Guna
The author is a Phd in civil engineering, a professional infrastructure engineer working as a consultant. He has five inventions to his credit though unpatented.He is an avid reader of books and besides his core competence in engineering he is well trained to lead seminars and workshops for motley groups. He brings in the learning of Advaitha Vedantha notably the Gita in his daily walks of life and is an inspiration to the efficacy of practical application of Vedantha in all walks of life.
His passion and interest lies in his synthesis of various schools of thought in training and transformation to keep with the changing times without compromising on fundamental principles. These principles of living are those enshrined in spiritual texts that have stood the test of time and criticism. He encounters all issues in life , be it professional or personal with a clear vision on values. He has always been in the forefront of all issues taking them head on without any hesitation even though it resulted in difficult times,economic loss and disrepute to his name. Nothing stops him in his endeavor as he deals with each issue with courage and fortitude.
Challenge Details
The challenge is to compile into a book the insights on the principles that govern the universe and its application in our lives. Man is an evolving being as long as he aligns with the principles that govern life. If one operates the principles of relevance the results are lifeward and results in success and happiness. The principles of reckon is identified and operated by an act of consciousness. The book is written over three broad headlines.
Understanding Dharma – which constitutes looking at the finer aspects of the identity. How, “to thine own self be true” matters in life. It starts the beginning of the journey of transformation as it is the firm ground on which it stands before the takeoff. This is the specific aspect that makes every person unique and it is the most challenging part to look within oneself and see his design.
Practicing Dharma – In the process of transforming what he is already practicing by default many aspects of dharma depending on his ancestry as a descendent. There are critical aspects that are to be protected and the rest of the practices that need to be identified that aren’t necessary and need to be dropped. This is an evolution of life not a revolution.This helps in adopting and practicing what works rather than merely on a belief or blind faith. There is conviction based on scientific process.
Abandoning Dharma – This may sound odd to abandon a dharma when we clearly identified what needs to be let go in the previous step. Dharma has relevance in a set of parameters or conditions. All dharmas or principles are not universal and have limited boundary of effectiveness where they operate well. Here we are looking at a totally new level of evolution. It is bringing the freshness of the universe every moment of life on a transcendent level. This is the most challenging and difficult aspect of transformation. It is iconoclastic and is aggressively intrusive. It breaks new ground.