Indian students receive Diana Award for humanitarian work during the pandemic

Three Indian students have received the prolific Diana Award 2021 for their contributions to society during the Covid-19 pandemic: Kaif Ali, an undergraduate student at Jamia Millia Islamia; Sana Mittar, an undergraduate at the University of Warwick and Devanshi Ranjan, a final-year student at Lady Shri Ram College.

As per a university release, Kaif Ali, a fourth-year Bachelor of Architecture (B.Arch) student at Jamia Millia Islamia, has won the prize for developing a sustainable housing that aids in the reduction of coronavirus transmission.

Mittar organised a digital campaign and recruited 150 volunteers to collect Rs 500,000 for disadvantaged communities, at the start of the pandemic. She also gathered cash for 40 poor students to purchase mobile phones, allowing them to continue their education from home during the lockdown. She has also founded her own non-profit organisation, Global Volunteers Action Network (GVAN).

Devanshi Ranjan, a final-year LSR student, was recognised for her efforts to assist underprivileged youngsters, particularly female students, with their academics in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Tessy Ojo, CEO of The Diana Award during the virtual award ceremony said, “We congratulate all our new Diana Award recipients from the UK and all over the globe who are changemakers for their generation. We know by receiving this honour they will inspire more young people to get involved in their communities and begin their own journey as active citizens."

The prize, named after Diana, Princess of Wales, is regarded as the "highest accolade" a young person may get for social action or humanitarian endeavours. It is distributed through the same-named charity, which has the backing of both of her sons, the Duke of Cambridge and the Duke of Sussex.