Women’s Day 2020: Why 8-YO Climate Change Activist Rejects PM Modi’s Women’s Day Honor?

Licypriya Kangujam, an eight-year-old activist working on climate change, is angry with the Narendra Modi government. She was shown by the government as someone who inspires under PM Modi’s ‘She Inspires Us’ campaign but she expressed unhappiness over this honor.

Tagging Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Licypriya Kangujam wrote, ‘Please don’t celebrate me if you are not going to listen my voice. Thank you for choosing me as one of those girls and women under ‘She Inspires Us’. I thought many times but then decided not to take this honor. Jai Hind.’

Licypriya Kangujam, who was awarded the World Children’s Peace Award last year, has said that she should be heard rather than honored. She was shown on social media by the government as part of the campaign ‘She Inspires Us’, but she responded and decided to reject the honor.

Speaking to News18 Kangujam said, “This made me ask myself hundreds of questions, whether I should accept such recognition or honor or should I keep pressing for my demands.”

Licypriya told The Indian Express on Saturday that ‘She Inspires Us’ “may be a good initiative” to the government, “but considering the crimes against women and children, I don’t think it can solve anything. This will be like applying a fairness cream on our face which no longer stays once you clean yourself… Instead, I want him (Modi) to listen to my voice and our leaders to take climate change seriously”.

“I believe my rejection will draw the attention of the government to meet my demands because our leaders and politicians hardly consider climate change as a serious issue,” she told News18.

It is written on Licypriya Kangujam’s Twitter account that it is not his but his guardian’s management. Let us know that ‘She Inspires Us’ is a campaign to celebrate International Women’s Day on 8 March, started by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Who Is Licypriya Kangujam?

Licypriya Kangujam is an environmental activist from Manipur. Last year, she was awarded the Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam Children’s Award. Licypriya had also protested outside Parliament in June 2019 to demand action on climate change from the Modi government. She has been awarded the World Children’s Peace Award, last year.