Dear Friends, Eco Warriors  and dearest Tunza Eco Generation,

I am glad to share with you all that I have been selected as International Young Eco Hero 2015 by US based non profit organization "Action For Nature" which recognizes those inspirational youth from around the globe who are helping to create a better future for our planet by taking actions to address tough environmental problems. 

I had applied in Feb this year as 28^th Feb was the deadline. I knew that they receive thousands of applications from all across the globe and they have 3 panels of judges and a rigorous screening process to decide the winners.

As per the procedure, they shortlist less than 30 applicants  based on their applications and supporting documents , pictures , project details etc. From around 30 shortlisted ,after interview , they select around 18 for the final stage and out of 18 , 10 win the award and 8 are honourable mentions.

On 18^th April (a day after my birthday ) , I got a  mail from them that I am one of the shortlisted candidates and they would like to take my telephonic interview in next 2 days . I was happy and hoping to sail through by winning it finally.

My interview was fixed for 1.00 AM UAE time (almost midnight here but was late morning in US) on 19^th April.  Interview lasted for 1 hour and I must say that an hour long interview with the judge from "Action For Nature, USA" was an experience in itself  as she asked me many questions and statistics too to be sure that I knew enough about my project and my field. I was hoping to win and  was waiting eagerly for the result to be announced in end May.

End April , They contacted my references and checked my credentials. On 5^th May , they informed me that I am one of the 18 finalists. I was one step ahead but still not final.

On 27^th May , I got their email congratulating me and informing that I am one of the 10 global winners. Out of 18 finalists , they gave prizes age groupwise to 10 and honourable mention to rest 8.

Although I have won Third prize but I am happy because when I read about the work of 1st and 2nd prize winners , I was so much amazed at the environment related work they are doing and at quite big scale . Like 1 winner's idea was presented to President Obama. Another's idea was discussed in US Parliament.

Another winner 'Aarushee Nair' after knowing about many children dying due to intestinal problems and dehydration due to lack of clean drinking water ,she  invented / designed a biodegradable (no plastics!) container that can hold 350 ml of clean drinking water and has a packet of Oral Rehydration Salts (ORS) pasted on the side. This 'Blu Pak' as she calls it has a small beak shaped outlet so that the fluid can easily be administered to infants. It can also be adapted to address malnutrition. At a very early age, she has already received a design patent for the Blu Pak.

So  I am thankful that I won even if 3^rd prize. Winning this award means a lot to me as it motivates me to continue working towards environment conservation and advocacy , in a bigger , better and more proactive manner.

When one of the National newspaper came to know about it , they contacted me for the interview which was published. It's then that my friends , relatives and other media houses came to know that  I am the only one from UAE from 10 global winners. I have been interviewed by leading newspapers , a  TV channel and Radio channels after winning this award.

Awards like these encourage young people to take personal action to nurture and protect a healthy environment on which all life depends.

Award news and brief profile of global winners is published on 'Action For Nature' site

http://actionfornature.org/2015_winners.aspx

You can read the news online through below links .

http://www.khaleejtimes.com/nation/general/uae-teenager-wins-international-award-for-green-actions

http://www.azadnewsme.com/en/29/6/3578/UAE-STUDENT-ARUSHI-MADAN-WINS-2015-INTERNATIONAL-YOUNG-ECO-HERO-AWARD.htm

http://www.thenational.ae/uae/education/sharjah-student-wins-international-young-eco-hero-award

http://www.godubai.com/citylife/press_release_page.asp?PR=100838&Sname=LifeStyle

http://www.dubaiprnetwork.com/pr.asp?pr=100838

http://www.daijiworld.com/news/news_disp.asp?n_id=337177

I am very very  grateful to Tunza Eco Generation for contributing to making me what I am today in the field of environment advocacy. Thankful to all of you for various ways by which you all have appreciated my work , supported me and inspired me .

Let's keep inspiring each other.

In 2013, E Gen Ambassador Kehkashan Basu was the International Young Eco Hero Award  winner from UAE. In 2014 E Gen Ambassador Simran Vedvyas was the International Young Eco Hero Award  winner from UAE.  This year me.   So all the years UAE winners have been E Gen Ambassadors. This speaks volume about the power and impact of this amazing forum Tunza Eco generation. Let's try our best to promote it as much as possible on almost every opportunity wherever we can , so that it's benefits are availed by many more youngsters.