Winner of The Pramerica Spirit of Community Awards

Grade 11 student, Viha, won Bronze in the 'Pramerica Spirit of Community Awards'. The Award is an annual nationwide search that identifies and recognises school students who have made a positive difference in their communities through volunteer community service. Viha entered the award process with her initiative ‘ScrapWings’, where she engages with the textile industry to better the situation for socio-economically underprivileged women in Surat, Gujarat. We reached out to Viha to learn more about the award and what it means to her.

I decided to partake in the Award because it would add credibility to my work dedicated to ScrapWings – Viha, Grade 11

The Pramerica Spirit of Community Award is an extension of the ‘Prudential Spirit of Community Awards’, the largest youth recognition programme in the United States, conducted by Prudential Financial Inc. for the last 25 years. The Award takes in and recognises contributions from all over India, and is also organised in Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Ireland, China, Brazil and Poland.

As there was little clarity about the award ceremony in the United State this year, India made the decision to go ahead with a virtual Grand Finale for the Indian winners on 21 March. All the winners were recognised and were given a round of applause virtually. Cash prices were announced, and winning stories and innovative volunteer ideas were shared.

The nationwide appreciation of Viha and her work has encouraged her to expand the project by including more people and more textile industries. “This credibility will further motivate me to help fulfil the twofold aim of ScrapWings – to reduce textile waste and unemployment of women”, says Viha who was delighted and humbled to receive the Bronze award.

For more information about the Award, visit The Pramerica Spirit of Community Award website.

Read this news story to learn more about the ScrapWings initiative.