Kanchan Amatya becomes first Nepali to win Diana Memorial Award

Kathmandu / July 03: Kanchan Amatya becomes the first ever Nepali to win the prestigious Diana Memorial Award for her endless social and humanitarian work.

Established in the memory of Diana, Princess of Wales, after her death in 1997 AD, the award has been honouring young people who are actively involved in humanitarian efforts.

The award is supported by the members of the British royal family, Diana’s two sons — the Duke of Cambridge Prince William and the Duke of Sussex Prince Harry.

Amatya has been serving as UN Women’s Global Champion for Women’s Economic Empowerment and is the also the founder of youth-led social enterprise, Sustainable Fish Farming Initiative, which works with rural farmers to combat extreme hunger and poverty.

As a winner of the award in its 20th anniversary, she has also been presented with an invitation to Althorp House, Princess Diana’s childhood home. These invitations are gifted to Diana Award Holders in kind by Princess Diana’s brother Earl Spencer, in recognition of their continuation of Diana’s legacy.

Previously, Amatya also coordinated efforts with the World Bank, United Nations and co-led the Youth Assembly at the United Nations’ Resolution Committee working extensively with youths, grassroots advocates, survivors of gender-based violence across South Asia.

While receiving the award, overwhelmed Amatya said that her commitment to inspire and mobilise the new generation of Nepali youths to serve their community will continue and she aspires in creating a world where nobody is uneducated or goes hungry, even for a single day.

Amatya was presented with the distinction on the occasion of late Princess Diana’s 58th Birthday.