This Class XII girl dreams of a day when no child will have to opt out of school because they cannot afford it. She has helped many go back to school and educated them about their rights.
Sukriti Chiripal also spearheaded several green campaigns last year as the Earth ambassador for a programme supported by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.
The 18-year-old has been donning many hats since 2017, balancing her passion and studies. She will be awarded the Pradhan Mantri Bal Shakti Puraskar 2020 for her achievement in social work this Republic Day. The award is given to 26 children for outstanding achievements.
The student of Modern High School for Girls has been able to mobilise more than 100 student volunteers in Pune, Mumbai, Delhi, Patna and Raigarh through social media. The students coordinate online and focus on small communities. “Till now we have touched the lives of over 1,000 children,” said Sukriti, who started her NGO Sangam two years ago. “In Calcutta, I look after 35 kids, give them books, stationery and conduct coaching classes on weekends.”
Sukriti’s teachers are proud of her. “Most students are sensitive but not all get their hands muddy. Sukriti worked towards her dream and preferred to remain low-key,” said Devi Kar, the director of Modern High School.
“We encourage social service over academics and Sukriti is an example of that,” added principal Damayanti Mukherjee.
