India’s Kartik Sawhney and Neha Swain won 2016 Queen's Young Leaders Award

Two Indians, Kartik Sawhney and Neha Swain, have won the 2016 Queen's Young Leaders award in the United Kingdom which will be presented by the British monarch in Buckingham Palace in June 2016.

Sawhney and Swain have won the prestigious award for their exceptional work in transforming the lives of others and making a lasting difference in their communities.

Who is Kartik Sawhney?

• Kartik Sawhney was born blind.

• He discovered that blind students were unable to pursue science after Grade 10. Therefore, he appealed and enrolled as India's first Grade 11 blind science student.

• He founded Project STEMAccess, which offers hands-on science workshops in India, as well as virtual training sessions.

• He is acknowledged for his exceptional work highlighting universal access to education for all.

Who is Neha Swain?

• Neha Swain is a youth facilitator and co-founder of NGO Rubaroo. The NGO provides an inclusive space for young people, irrespective of their socio-economic background, to develop their leadership skills through interactive workshops.

• Her team provides workshops to schools in India free of charge and has so far worked with nearly 2000 young people in Hyderabad.

About Queen's Young Leaders Award

• The Queen’s Young Leader Award recognises and celebrates exceptional people aged 18-29 from across the Commonwealth.

• The award is given to youths who are taking the lead in their communities and using their skills to transform lives.

• Winners of the prestigious Award received a unique package of training, mentoring and networking, including a one-week residential programme in the UK.

• The winners receive the Award from Her Majesty The Queen.

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