(February 10, 2022) Flower recycling is fuelling innovation and creativity – Incense sticks, herbs and flower-infused teas, potpourri, and much more. For the sprightly UNICEF ambassador Sriya Donepudi, these ideas struck a chord when she set out to finish her 10th grade project two years ago – to recycle the flower waste in Hyderabad. It then flowered into a movement giving local women sustenance, and the world an ecological philosophy too.
Sriya, now a 12th grade student at Oakridge School, founded Ankh which recycles used flowers into organic products in 2020. A love for flowers egged her on, and her eco project won the Diana Award 2020. The then 15-year-old also rehabilitated the lives of women from economically weak backgrounds by recycling floral waste into products. “I used as many flowers as we could collect from events,” smiles Sriya.
Sriya Donepudi
The enterprising gene
Born in Detroit, Sriya moved to Hyderabad 12 years ago. Her parents Venu and Swetha Donepudi, both automobile engineers, worked at General Motors and Ford in Detroit. “Their excellent work ethic inspired me to work hard as well,” says the teen who inculcated a desire to go beyond mere thought. It was what made her ideate on Ankh.
The Donepudi’s move to India was due to “her parents wanting to develop cars in India.” It saw the younger Sriya struggle as she learned to adapt. Seeing her parents, and her heritage helped her transition smoothly. Ankh began recycling floral waste from weddings, parties, and temples in and around Hyderabad – candles, distilled oils, incense sticks, potpourri were made by local women.
Looking back, her teachers, parents, and the CAS coordinator guided Sriya to success, thus catching the eye of the Diana Award panel. The Diana Awardee is thankful that her CAS mentor nominated her. In a short period, it became a huge success. Not only because of its ecological philosophy, but also because of its socially relevant structure – Ankh employed around 50 underprivileged women full-time, giving them the opportunity to make a living too.
Local women making products from flower waste
“There was this one girl who was only 19-years-old,” recalls Sriya in an interview with Global Indian, adding, “She stopped going to school after eighth grade, was married, and had a child. It amazed me how much she had to do at such a young age, yet she was still so hopeful and optimistic about the future.”
As an avid reader, Sriya’s love for ancient Egyptian mythology gave her the name Ankh – a symbol that represents eternal life, and its elements – Her Ankh in turn empowered women and helped the planet.
The pandemic was not easy
During Covid 19, sadly, Ankh has taken a backseat but Sriya hopes to restart soon. “Covid majorly affected Ankh. It was hard for women to work, and events had taken a hit, thus collecting floral waste was harder,” explains the Diana Awardee.
With growing climate concerns, the 17-year-old now wants to move forward with more sustainable products, and even help the Covid-stricken. “A dream of mine is to get into skincare, but I think that’s a bit too complex right now,” laughs the enterprising Diana awardee.
A meeting of minds
The award has given Sriya the opportunity to connect with like-minded and brilliant young people across the world, and also learn from them. “There was a girl from Trinidad and Tobago who works with autistic people, she was such an inspiration,” she recalls. Being in the midst of inspiring ideas and individuals, Sriya wants to be proactive on world problems. Now, the 12th grader (finishing her second year IBDP), contributes to the UN’s socially uplifting activities in school and does her bit as a UNICEF ambassador. Her aspiration is to study in the US, majoring in economics and global health.
Like other teens, the Diana Awardee loves a good read, or music, so much so that she even founded her school’s first-ever literature club. A movie aficionado, her passion is also watching and analysing films.
For Sriya, family is everything. “I’m close to my family. I learned everything from them – my parents and grandparents are truly my role models,” she says. Visits to her grandparents in Kotegiri is what she loves. “I can see what my mother’s life was like, growing up in Kotegiri, I love its simplicity and sustainability,” Sriya smiles.
While Ankh has been a life-changing journey, she stresses, “Purpose is what makes you human, that’s what I learned.” Advice to budding young social entrepreneurs? “Reflect, plan and reach for the stars. If you’re passionate, there’s nothing stopping you from getting what you want,” she signs off.
- Follow Sriya Donepudi on Linkedin
