Meerut : A young girl from Meerut, Uttar Pradesh, who has been tackling the problem of child labour has been conferred with the first United Nations Malala Award for spreading education among child labourers. On learning this news, there was excitement and ecstasy in and around the residence of Razia Sultan.
Sultan, 15, will be felicitated as United Nations Special Envoy for Global Educations Youth Courage Award for Education.
July 12 has been heralded as Malala Day, to remember the contributions of Pakistans Malala Yousafzai, who was shot at by the Taliban for voicing her opinions against the latters ban on girls attending schools in the Swat Valley.
Razia is a resident of Nanglakhumba village in Meerut District. She used to stitch footballs in her village like several other girls, when she was four. After being rescued by a non-governmental organisation, she joined a school and eventually became a youth leader in her native place.In her new role, she encouraged other children in her village to join schools.