7-yr-old Indian-origin girl wins UK PM’s Points of Light award

London: A seven-year-old girl of Indian origin, Moksha Roy, has been awarded the British Prime Minister’s Points of Light award.

Moksha received the award from Deputy British Prime Minister Oliver Dowden last week.

Moksha, who started volunteering for a United Nations’ sustainability initiative against microplastic pollution when she was just three, has the distinction of being the world’s youngest sustainability advocate.

She has been recognized for volunteering for several sustainability campaigns, including raising funds to help children in need.

“Moksha has set an excellent example in her work championing UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). She has gone to significant lengths to have these included in the school curriculum and has been in communication with leaders all over the world to encourage them to consider this,” said Dowden.

“Her school no longer uses plastic glitter, confetti or plastic art supplies – this is a testament to her strong beliefs and ability to change those around her to create a better world,” he said.

Moksha has also assisted in educational sessions for deprived schoolchildren in India.

“I am very happy to receive the Points of Light award. I hope both children and adults get to understand that caring for the planet and its people and making small changes to everyday life should not be just for a few. It is just like brushing our teeth,” said Moksha.

“We brush our teeth to care for them and avoid pain; similarly, we can take care of the planet not for anyone else, but just us, to be safe. Each and every one of us can do small things in our own lives, work, and community to combat the big challenges such as climate change, pollution, poverty, and inequality,” she said.

Her parents, Ragini G Roy and Sourav Roy, said their daughter’s efforts prove that even the youngest in society has a role to play in combatting climate change.

According to Downing Street, the Points of Light awards recognize outstanding people whose service is making a difference in their communities and whose stories can inspire others towards innovative solutions to social challenges in their own communities and beyond.

With inputs from PTI