Indian child activist shuns PM Modi’s women’s campaign

An Indian child climate change activist has rejected Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s offer to join a campaign for International Women’s Day.

News ID: 449497

Date: 09 March 2020 - 10:12

RNA - On Friday, the Indian government took to Twitter to share the story of eight-year-old environmental activist Licypriya Kangujam, from Manipur, as an inspiration for Modi’s #SheInspiresUs campaign.

“@mygovindia @LicypriyaK is an [sic] child environmental activist from Manipur. In 2019, she was awarded a Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam Children Award, a World Children Peace Prize, and an India Peace Prize. Isn’t she inspiring? Do you know someone like her? Tell us, using #SheInspiresUs,” the government posted on the site.

Kangujam tweeted back on Saturday, rejecting the honor.

“Thank you for selecting me amongst the inspiring women of the country under your initiative #SheInspiresUs. After thinking many times, I decided to turn down this honour. Jai Hind!” she said, explaining that she rejected the offer because the prime minister did not “listen” to the climate change activists’ demands.

The child activist has been pressing, among other things, for regulations on carbon emissions and other greenhouse gases.

narendramodi Ji,
Please don’t celebrate me if you are not going to listen my voice.
Thank you for selecting me amongst the inspiring women of the country under your initiative #SheInspiresUs. After thinking many times, I decided to turns down this honour.