Chandigarh: Sixteen-year-old Priya Verma has won the Diana Award 2008 for her research-based project on increasing the groundwater level. She has become the first from outside Britain to win the award given by the Princess Diana Memorial Trust.

"I completed my project on underground water resources in 2006. I visited various places in Punjab, Haryana and Himachal Pradesh to have a first hand experience and talked to various experts in this field while writing my project.

"I have suggested four techniques to increase the level of groundwater in my project," Verma told IANS.

She said Punjab and Kerala have shown keen interest and are expected to implement the project soon.

"Gordon Brown, prime minister of the UK, had given this award in a ceremony Dec 15 at London. I could not attend that ceremony as I was busy here in my studies but they sent me the certificate and silver lapel pin through courier service," said Verma, who aims to join the Indian Administrative Services.

A confirmation letter from Princess Diana Memorial Trust said: "Priya has been chosen for this award because of the inspirational qualities that have been demonstrated through her commitment and work in the field of environment protection and for creating awareness through her work since 2006."

The Diana Award endeavours to appreciate and celebrate the work which young people make to their school, family or community - especially those who are peer mentors, fund raisers, school counsellors, environmental campaigners, sports leaders, local community volunteers, and those who have overcome adversity.

The Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Award for Inspirational Young People was established in 1999 by a board chaired by the then Chancellor, Gordon Brown, who felt that the award would reflect the personal interest of Diana, Princess of Wales in helping and supporting young people.

The Indian government has also given recognition to Verma's project and conferred her the National Youth Award 2007. She won the Young Learner's Award from the Cambridge University, UK and Disaster Management Kid Award from the federal government of the US.

 

Source : IANS