Service-Learning VIP: Priya

I am working for the conservation and preservation of water, energy and environment. I am a student of IT from George Brown College, Canada, and an writer, journalist, artist, innovator, scholar, environmentalist, social worker, change maker, role model of youths and a state, national and international award holder in the field of environmental science and community service. I have has penned more than 1000 articles on various burning issues, including environmental issues adversely affecting the Indian population and ecosystems, and created awareness in masses. While writing on environment-related issues, I have discovered that the declining level of underground water due to increasing use of water for various domestic, commercial and agricultural purposes, had drastically lowered the water table of Indian states such as Punjab, Haryana, and Himachal Pradesh. Without drastic measures to reverse the decreasing water levels, India will experience drastic levels of drought, desertification, and deforestation in the next few decades. To protect the water resources I have developed technologies to harvest rainwater and to increase underground water resources. The techniques/ideas highlighted in my project "Increasing Underground Water Resources" have been recognized by the government of India, and the United Nations Environmental Program. The project has also been recognized by several organizations like SMK.org, Teens Planet Earth, TakingITGlobal, and Roots & Shoots USA, and my project has been displayed on their websites. I am the founder and director of NGO network CYWE.org, dedicated to the cause of children, youth, women and the environment, and working for the betterment of the world. I am also involved with various projects through TakingITGlobal, Youth Services America, and IGGY, University of Warwick, UK online pilot projects. Presently I am volunteering for save water campaigns and save trees and forest campaigns.

For my work to provide sustainable water usage practices to ensure water security for generations to come I have been awarded United Nations Outstanding Youth Achiever Award 2010, International Women’s Day Outstanding Service Award 2011, and the 2011 Everyday Young Hero Award from Youth Services America. I am inspiring youth to create change to make the world a better place to live in through my efforts.

-Priya V., George Brown College, Toronto, Canada