One Girl Army: Managing Crisis with Resolve and Strategy

One Girl Army: Managing Crisis with Resolve and Strategy

Image from Umeed Felicitation,2018(GYO)

The phrase "One Girl Army" may seem self-obsessed to some, but for me, it embodies pride and resilience. I consider myself a One Girl Army because I can manage everything with meticulous strategy and unwavering determination. However, crises are inevitable, no matter how well-prepared one might be. Today, I want to share a story from my experience, where I navigated a significant crisis, akin to a recent challenge faced by a renowned university. This is a testament to the power of effective crisis management and unwavering resolve.

In 2018, I was running my own NGO, "Glorious Youth Organisation," in Jharkhand. My mission was to raise awareness about the importance of education, particularly in Naxalist-affected areas. If you know Jharkhand, you're aware of its tribal demographics, Naxalist activities, and underdeveloped infrastructure. Upon returning home from my higher studies, I realized that children in these areas needed to understand the benefits of education to overcome discrimination and hardship.

To engage and motivate these children, I decided to conduct a competitive exam called "Umeed" in three deeply Naxalist-affected districts: Hazaribagh, Koderma, and Chatra. The plan was to reward the top performers with money, which was a significant incentive for these kids. We successfully conducted the exams in Hazaribagh and Chatra, but Koderma presented a daunting crisis.

Just a day or two before the exam, I was informed that the question papers were not prepared or printed. The team believed it was impossible to conduct the exam on the scheduled date. Despite the panic, I was determined to proceed as planned.

I immediately contacted a trusted printing shop and arranged for them to open at 6 am. I gathered my volunteer team and instructed them to complete the questions within six hours. Realizing this was an enormous task, I hired additional help to ensure the questions for all four sets were finished by 12 PM, the day before the exam.

The next challenge was printing the papers and delivering them to 12 different centers on time. My team was anxious, and my father was doubtful, but I maintained a positive attitude and strong resolve. I arrived at the printer shop at 6 am, and with extra hands, the printing was completed by 7:45 am.

The final hurdle was delivering the question papers and OMR sheets to all centers promptly. To manage this, I instructed my team to delay the exam by 30 minutes to give us some breathing room. With careful coordination and a motivated team, we managed to deliver the question papers just three minutes before the exams started.

Afterward, I called my sister to share the story of how we turned a near-impossible situation into a success. She congratulated me, saying, "Well done, Mons! You have proved that you are a one-girl army."

Conclusion: The Art of Crisis Management

This experience taught me valuable lessons about crisis management. In times of crisis, maintaining a positive attitude, leveraging professional relationships, rapidly mobilizing resources, and effective team coordination are crucial. Even when situations seem impossible, a strategic approach and unwavering resolve can turn the tide in your favor. Remember, no matter how dire the circumstances, with the right mindset and strategy, you can handle anything

Author: Aayushi Nanda

Linkedin : Aayushi Nanda