Pune: Varsha K. Purohit, a 24-year-old from Pune, has been awarded The Diana Award, one of the most prestigious global honors for young changemakers.
Recognized for her social action and humanitarian work, Varsha joins a distinguished group of recipients celebrated for their commitment to creating and sustaining positive societal change.
The Diana Award, established in memory of Diana, Princess of Wales, is presented by the charity of the same name with the support of HRH The Prince of Wales and Prince Harry, The Duke of Sussex.
It is considered the highest accolade a young individual can receive for humanitarian or social action initiatives.
Varsha was acknowledged for her initiative, ‘Smira,’ which addresses urban homelessness by providing clean clothing to improve health and hygiene. Inspired by her childhood tradition of donating garments during Diwali, she began with a single drive in Pune.
Over time, Smira has scaled its operations, conducting over 100 drives across India, distributing 50,000 kilograms of clothing, and offering first aid and food to those in need, impacting more than 40,000 people.
Recently, Smira expanded its reach globally, with its first international drive in Nigeria. Plans are underway to extend its operations to Algeria and Ethiopia.
Through partnerships with organizations like Tech Mahindra and Decathlon, Varsha has mobilized volunteers and corporate resources, positioning Smira as a global force for social impact.
Dr. Tessy Ojo CBE, CEO of The Diana Award, praised recipients worldwide, stating, “These young people demonstrate the power to change the world, a belief Diana, Princess of Wales, passionately held. By receiving this honor, they will inspire others to engage in their communities.”
The Diana Award is open to young people nominated by professionals who recognize their efforts to make a positive contribution to society.
In 2024, over 1,700 nominations were submitted, assessed against key criteria such as vision, social impact, and leadership, making this year the most competitive yet.