British Indian lad Ishan Kapur has been given the prestigious Diana Award for his humanitarian work in assisting Delhi kids to attend online classes during the COVID-19 pandemic. As the coronavirus outbreak brought the world to its knees, the need for online education emerged as one of the top priorities over the past year. However, given the great digital divide in India, accessing online education was easier said than done. It was then that 15-year-old Ishan ran a campaign to raise £5,000 (₹5 lakh) to buy and distribute 100 laptops and tablets to ensure that several teachers and students could access education during the lockdown.
The New Delhi lad, who is currently studying at Wellington College in the UK, works with Sri Ramakrishna Ashram to help a local school access uniforms for marginalized girls. As part of his campaign, he also ensured that all his beneficiaries were provided stable internet connections.
What is the Diana Award?
The Diana Award, instituted in memory of Diana, Princess of Wales, is awarded to young people between the ages of 9 to 25 for their humanitarian work. The award is given out by the charity of the same name and is supported by her sons Princes William and Harry. Recipients for the award are nominated by adults who know them in a professional capacity, following which there is a rigorous process to choose the recipients across five areas: Vision, Social Impact, Inspiring Others, Youth Leadership, and Service Journey.
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