With all eyes on Prime Minister Narendra Modi getting honored with the ‘Global Goalkeeper Award’ by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, one might have missed the other Indian who was felicitated with the ‘Changemaker’ award at the event in New York on Wednesday, 24 September
The award went to 17-year-old Payal Jangid. Coming from Hinsla village in Rajasthan, Payal served as the head of the Bal Panchayat (Children’s Council) in her village as part of the ‘Bal Mitra Gram’ (Child-Friendly Village) programme, which comes under Nobel Laureate Kailash Satyarthi’s Bachpan Bachao Andolan (BBA).
“I’m extremely happy, PM also got this award.The way I’ve eradicated these problems in our village, want to do same globally,” said Jangid after receiving the award.
As pointed by Satyarthi himself, Payal has been at the forefront of protesting against the practices of child marriage and ghunghat pratha (the tradition of women covering their faces with a veil).
“Payal made us proud today, she is one of those young ladies who are on the forefront against exploitation of children in India and elsewhere. She was courageous to refuse her marriage, and of other children in village and neighboring villages,” said Satyarthi after Jangid was honoured.
In a 2016 article, Satyarthi wrote of Payal, “Instead of succumbing to family pressure, she went to school and refused to get married young. Her commitment brought her to the forefront of the fight for social equality…”
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‘Want to be a Teacher’
Payal has also served as a jury member for ‘The World’s Children’s Prize’ (WCP) – a rights and education initiative for children.
“We visit children at home and explain to their parents why school is important. I want to be a teacher. We also tell fathers not to hit their children or wives. If they are loving instead, things are better for everyone,” Payal is quoted as saying by WCP on its website.
The annual Goalkeeper awards, in five categories, are presented to leaders and individuals for their efforts in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The categories are Progress, Changemaker, Campaign, Goalkeepers Voice and the Global Goalkeeper.
According to the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, “These awards tell the extraordinary stories of remarkable individuals taking action to bring the Global Goals to life and help achieve them by 2030." This year, Goalkeepers focused on the challenge of fighting global inequality to ensure that no one is left behind.
PM Modi was on Wednesday presented with the 2019 ‘Global Goalkeeper Award’, which, according to the Foundation, is a “special recognition” that celebrates a political leader who has “demonstrated their commitment to the Global Goals through impactful work in their country and/or globally.”
Modi was honoured for his leadership of the Swachh Bharat Mission, which he had launched on 2 October 2014.
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