At just 14, Diya Loka from Hyderabad has already made a significant mark on the global stage by winning the prestigious Diana Award—one of the highest international accolades a young person can receive for social action and humanitarian work.
Her journey began during a summer break, as she walked through the streets of Hyderabad and noticed a disturbing reality—piles of discarded electronics littering alleyways and landfills. Broken phones, outdated laptops, and toxic batteries lay exposed, leaching dangerous substances like mercury and arsenic into the soil and water. Even more alarming was the sight of sanitation workers—some of them children—handling this hazardous waste without protective gear or awareness of the risks.
Rather than turning away, Diya took action. She launched E-Cycl, a student-led initiative aimed at addressing the growing crisis of e-waste. What began with local awareness campaigns and school seminars in Hyderabad quickly gained momentum, evolving into a pan-India movement. Under Diya’s leadership, E-Cycl has:
- Collected over 10,000 kilograms of e-waste through city-wide drives,
- Mentored 5,000+ individuals to become eco-champions in their own communities, and
- Built an international network of 150 volunteers across more than 10 countries.
Diya’s work has earned partnerships with global organisations such as SOIF Futures and Meta, further strengthening E-Cycl’s reach and impact.
A student of CHIREC International School, Diya credits much of her environmental awareness and leadership drive to the school’s emphasis on sustainability and community engagement. CHIREC, known for being Hyderabad’s first landscaped green school, fosters student-led initiatives through its Eco Club and Interact Club, aligning with the UN Sustainable Development Goals. This culture of responsibility and innovation helped shape Diya’s mindset from concern to conviction.
Her voice has also been heard on global platforms including UNESCO’s World Futures Studies Federation (WFSF) and GNIT’s Women’s Leadership Circle (WLC), where she has inspired audiences across continents to rethink their relationship with technology and waste.
Diya Loka’s story is a compelling example of how today’s learners can become tomorrow’s leaders—when they are empowered by purpose, supported by education, and driven by a vision for a better world.
Also read: Oxford Bound: The CHIREC approach towards obtaining placements in IVY-League Institutions
