2 x The Diana Award

In June, 2021, two of TISB’s Grade 12 students, Aaryani and Viha, received the Diana Award for their outstanding humanitarian and social service efforts. The Diana Award was established in memory of Diana, Princess of Wales, and the award is given out by the charity of the same name. By issuing this honourable award, the organisation aims at developing and inspiring positive change among young people to get work in their communities and becoming active citizens. We contacted Aaryani and Viha to find out more about their initiatives and what they feel about receiving the award. 

Let’s Talk – Aaryani

While it is a prestigious award, the aspect I was most pleased about was that it honoured the late princess Diana. Her selfless service is so inspiring to me and I am grateful that I get to represent that – Aaryani, Grade 12  

Aaryani founded ‘Let’s Talk’ about three years ago, when she was in Grade 9. The initiative aims to spread mental health awareness and break the stigma around reaching out for help among adolescent individuals. Aaryani started ‘Let’s Talk’ because of the stigma she and her friends faced when reaching out to their surroundings for support. Since founding the initiative, Aaryani has received several recognitions and she has spoken at, for example, the United Nations Headquarters in New York as part of the 1M1B program, at a TEDx event at the Lavelle Road in Bangalore, and she has co-authored ‘The Book of Wellness’. Recently, Aaryani has been accepted to the Ashoka Young Changemaker Program and has started the movement ‘Everyone’s a Changemaker’ within the TISB community together with fellow Grade 12 student, Chandani, to encourage young people to tell their stories about their engagements for a better world. Follow ‘Let’s Talk’ on Instagram.  

ScrapWings – Viha

I am glad beyond words to be one of the recipients of the prestigious Diana Award. I feel really privileged to get the label of Princess Diana for my enthusiasm and diligence towards ScrapWings – Viha, Grade 12 

Since December 2018, TISB student Viha has been involved in an initiative called ‘ScrapWings’. Viha is the director of the non-profit, working with the textile industry, and economically and socially challenged women in Surat, Gujarat. Viha noticed that little effort is made to reduce the pollution caused by textile waste produced, and felt a need to prevent the improper and unnecessary disposal of material. She also realised that there were opportunities to make use of the waste to empower underprivileged and unemployed women. Hence ‘ScrapWings’ was created with a twofold aim: to reduce negative environmental effects from textile industry, while at the same time providing livelihoods for underprivileged women in the rural areas of Gujarat. This is done by equipping women with material and the design templates, possibilities to learn sewing skills and by offering a platform where they can sell their products. Follow ‘ScrapWings’ on Instagram. 

What does it mean to receive the Diana Award? 

Both Aaryani and Viha are incredibly grateful for receiving the Diana Award 2021. But more importantly the award is a morale booster for the people involved, which brings new energy and visions for the future. “I aim to work harder and progress further in both the areas that ‘ScrapWings’ is targeting such that the Princess Diana Label maintains its shine”, says Viha, who appreciates the award as a recognition and verification mark of her efforts to the environment and challenged communities. In the same way, Aaryani sees the award as a merit for continuing to spread awareness and breaking the stigma around reaching out for help. She wants to continue to voice her thoughts, to both the young and the old. “To me, the award symbolises the voices, hope and courage of young people.” Like Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, communicated to the Diana Award winners: “You are putting the 'do's' behind the 'say's', and this is the personification of our mother's legacy.''