Dr Kalasha Naidu honored with Asia Icon 2024 Award in Colombo

Shri Maithripala Sirisena, former President of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, honored Dr Kalasha Naidu as Asia Icon 2024. The world's youngest social worker, recognized for her outstanding contributions to social service, received this prestigious award during the Asia Icon Awards 2024 ceremony, held over two days on the 26th and 27th of this month in Colombo, Sri Lanka. Colombo Governor Senthil Thandavan, Foreign Minister Taraka Balasuriya, and Youth Affairs Minister Rohana Dishannayake participated as special guests in this honor program.

The dignitaries on stage applauded her commitment to service, considering her a role model for the current generation. They were amazed by the achievements and honors bestowed upon this 11-year-old, including the title of Global Youngest Social Worker by the United Nations and an honorary doctorate from the United Nations Global Peace Council for her services to humanity.

Through the Kalasha Foundation, Dr Kalasha Naidu has been conducting numerous social service programs globally. The Kalasha Foundation, founded on August 30, 2013, in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, initially carried out social service initiatives across districts, states, and the country before expanding internationally. Kalasha's father, Dr. Nutana Naidu Medapureddy, a doctor and dedicated social servant, established the foundation on the day Kalasha was born, organizing various service programs in her name. In addition to its service activities, the foundation annually presents the "Kalasha Awards" to individuals who have demonstrated exceptional contributions in various fields.

At just five years old, Kalasha Naidu began to understand the mission of her father's foundation and actively joined the cause. While Nutana Naidu managed the foundation's programs at the state level, Kalasha expanded those efforts to an international scale. Currently, the Kalasha Foundation operates in about 135 countries, carrying out service programs in collaboration with local organisations and volunteers. With the support of her parents, Dr Priya Naidu and Dr Nutana Naidu, Kalasha continues to advance the foundation's humanitarian mission.