New Delhi: An 11-year-old girl, Samika Gupta from Delhi has received the prestigious ‘Princess Diana award’ for her humanitarian work. Gupta has been working with slum children in Delhi and trying to create a positive change.


The Diana Awards is established in the memory of Diana, Princess of Wales. The Award is given out by the charity of the same name and has the support of both her sons, The Duke of Cambridge and The Duke of Sussex.

Samika is a volunteer teacher in a child-to-child education programme run by the Indian NGO Anukulan to help children from weaker sections of the society. The young teacher stands on a chair so she can reach the blackboard!

She also inspires and motivates children living in slums to recognise education as a way of improving their lives. She also teaches them that healthcare and food are basic human rights. She also helps to collect and distribute donations of food, clothing, books, and toys, as well as volunteering in art and yoga workshops, health and dental clinics.

The young hero is among 15 other Indians To Receive The Princess Diana Award this year. Due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, the ceremony was held virtually.