Meet ‘India’s Greta Thunberg’: Seven-year-old Licypriya Kangujam from Manipur
Licypriya Kangujam, a child wonder has made India proud after she became the youngest “climate activist”. The seven-year-old began raising her voice about the need for immediate action to combat climate change and disaster risks reduction.
She has been invited to 16 countries as part of her movement. Kangujam was also an official participant and youngest delegate out of 8000 participants from 196 countries at the COP14 in New Delhi from September 2 to 13.
Licypriya often referred to as “India’s
Greta Thunberg” has been recently awarded the prestigious World Children Peace Prize 2019 from Global Peace Index - Institute for Economics & Peace (IEP), in the Maldives.
Licypriya shared her journey from the Maldives to Manipur and also spoke about climate change.
“I see people suffering and dying because of earthquake, flood, landslide, etc. My heart feels sorrow for people who cannot help themselves when disaster strikes.
“I cry when I see children losing their parents. My country has met disasters like earthquake, flood, landslide, etc. These are all the impact of climate change,” she said.
Referred to as ‘India’s Greta Thunberg’, Licypriya has attended many international programmes and conferences on disaster and climate change.
After having heard many stories about children losing their parents or people becoming homeless due to the danger of disasters, she decided to take things in her own hands.
“I have planted hundreds of trees. I am cleaning the seas and rivers with my supporters in various countries. And I am telling people to plant millions of trees by travelling to various countries for my child movement,’ she said. When asked if she was going to New York for the UN General Assembly, she said: “Not sure. Because I have to go to my school and I have to do my homework. If I am not studying then how my brain could be smart! I am attending lots of programmes because I love them and they love me.’