>BrownHairedGirl at 07:31, 26 December 2021

2021-12-26T07:31:41Z

New page

{{Short description|Indian climate activist}}
{{Cleanup rewrite|date=November 2020}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2019|cs1-dates=y}}
{{Use British English|date=January 2019}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Licypriya Kangujam
| honorific_suffix =
| image = Licypriya.jpg
| alt =
| caption = Licypriya Kangujam at the United Nations Asia-Pacific Climate Week 2019 in Bangkok, Thailand on 5 September 2019.
| birth_name = Licypriya Kangujam
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|2011|10|2|df=yes}}
| birth_place = Bashikhong Village, [[Manipur]], [[India]]
| occupation = Student, [[environmental activist]]
| years_active = 2018–present
| known_for = Rising Voice to Combat Climate Change
| movement = The Child Movement
| parents = {{plainlist|
* Bidyarani Devi Kangujam Ongbi (mother)
* KK Singh (Kanarjit Kangujam) (father)}}
| relatives = [[Chinglensana Kangujam]](Uncle)
| module = {{Listen| embed=yes |filename = How_I_became_an_8-year-old_climate_activist.flac |title = Licypriya Kangujam's voice |type = speech |description = Recorded on 6 February 2020 from the BBC Radio World Service Program - How I became an 8-year-old climate activist in London, UK. BBC - OS<ref name="b010x8sq">{{Cite episode |title= India climate activist Licypriya Kangujam on why she took a stand |series=BBC News |series-link=BBC News|url= https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-51399721 |accessdate= 6 February 2020|station= BBC OS |date= 6 February 2020 }}</ref> }}
| awards = {{Plainlist|
*Dr [[A.P.J Abdul Kalam]] Children Award (2019)
*World Children's Peace Prize (2019)
*Rising Star of [[Earth Day]] Network (2019)
*Global Child Prodigy Award (2020)
*Noble Citizen Award (2020)
*TN Khoshoo Memorial Award by [[Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment]] (2020)
*[[National Youth Day (India)]] Award by Bharat Seva Samvad (2021)
*[[CNN News18]] Water Heroes (2021)
*[[Forbes]] India 30 Under 30 Special Mentions (2021)
*International Women’s Day Award by [[Government of Delhi]] (2021)
}}
}}

'''Licypriya Kangujam''' ( born 2 October 2011) is a child [[environmental activist]] from India. She is one of the youngest climate activists globally and has addressed world leaders at the [[United Nations Climate Change Conference]] 2019 ([[COP25]]) in Madrid, Spain asking them to take immediate climate action. Licypriya has been campaigning for climate action in India since 2018, to pass new laws to curb India's high pollution levels, and to make climate-change literacy mandatory in schools.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/magazines/panache/meet-licypriya-kangujam-the-8-yr-old-indian-greta-who-is-urging-leaders-at-cop25-to-save-the-planet/articleshow/72493089.cms|title=Meet Licypriya Kangujam, the 8-yr-old Indian 'Greta' who is urging leaders at COP25 to save the planet|website=The Economic Times|date=20 September 2019 |access-date=20 September 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://thewire.in/environment/licypriya-kangujam-is-flying-indias-flag-at-cop25-shes-eight|title=Eight-Year-Old Licypriya Kangujam Is Flying India's Flag at COP25|website=[[The Wire (India)]]|date=10 December 2019 |access-date=10 December 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/energy-and-environment/indian-8-year-old-licypriya-kangujam-challenges-world-leaders-to-act-on-climate-change-at-cop25-in-madrid/article30275164.ece|title=Indian 8-year-old challenges world leaders to act on climate change at COP25 in Madrid|work=[[The Hindu]]|date=10 December 2019 |access-date=10 December 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/magazines/panache/meet-licypriya-kangujam-the-8-yr-old-indian-greta-who-is-urging-leaders-at-cop25-to-save-the-planet/articleshow/72493089.cms|title=Meet Licypriya Kangujam, the 8-yr-old Indian 'Greta' who is urging leaders at COP25 to save the planet|publisher=[[The Economic Times]]|date=10 December 2019 |access-date=10 December 2019}}</ref>

She has been regarded as India's [[Greta Thunberg]], though she does not like the usage of this term.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://scroll.in/article/952444/dont-call-me-indias-greta-thunberg-and-erase-my-story-eight-year-old-licypriya-kangujam |title='Don't call me India's Greta Thunberg and erase my story': Eight-year-old Licypriya Kangujam |work=[[Scroll.in]] |last=Banerji |first=Annie |date=2020-02-08 |access-date=2021-02-06 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210206034540/https://scroll.in/article/952444/dont-call-me-indias-greta-thunberg-and-erase-my-story-eight-year-old-licypriya-kangujam |archive-date=2021-02-06 }}</ref>

Licypriya started advocating against climate change in July 2018.<ref>{{Cite tweet |user=LicypriyaK |number=1221628420611698689 |title=Dear Media, Stop calling me "Greta of India". ... |access-date=13 May 2020|author=Licypriya Kangujam |date=27 Jan 2020 |link=https://twitter.com/LicypriyaK/status/1221628420611698689 |url-status=live |archive-url= |archive-date= }}</ref> On 21 June 2019 inspired by the climate activist [[Greta Thunberg]], Licypriya started spending a week outside the Indian parliament House to draw the attention of [[Prime Minister Narendra Modi]] to pass a climate change law in [[India]]. On 31 August 2019, Licypriya received the "World Children Peace Prize 2019" handed over by Mr.Charles Allen, Director of Partnerships of [[Global Peace Index]] – Institute of Economics & Peace (IEP), Australia in an event organized by the Regional Alliance of Fostering Youth and Ministry of Youth Sports and Community Empowerment, [[Government of Maldives]]. She was also honored with the title "Rising Star" by the [[Earth Day]] Network headquarters based in [[Washington, D.C.]], USA.<ref name="My life">{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-51399721|title=India climate activist Licypriya Kangujam on why she took a stand|work=[[BBC News]]|date=6 February 2020|access-date=6 February 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/south-asia/one-year-on-child-climate-activist-8-continues-strike-outside-indian-parliament|title=One year on, child climate activist, 8, continues strike outside Indian parliament|publisher=[[The Straits Times]]|date=6 February 2020|access-date=6 February 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.indiatimes.com/news/india/this-7-yr-old-girl-stood-near-parliament-urging-pm-narendra-modi-to-pass-the-climate-change-law-now-369694.html|title=This 7-Yr-Old Girl Stood Near Parliament Urging PM Narendra Modi To Pass The Climate Change Law Now|work=[[The Times of India]]|access-date=19 June 2019}}</ref>

On 19 November 2019, she received the "[[SDGs]] Ambassador Award 2019" at [[Chandigarh University]] by [[Dainik Bhaskar]] in collaboration with [[NITI Aayog]], [[Government of India]]. Licypriya also received the "Global Child Prodigy Award 2020" on 3 January 2020 in [[New Delhi]] by Lieutenant Governor of [[Pondicherry]] [[Kiran Bedi]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.businessinsider.in/science/environment/news/licypriya-kangujam-from-india-the-worlds-youngest-climate-activist-stands-with-greta-thunberg-and-demands-three-new-policies/articleshow/72451200.cms|title=Licypriya Kangujam from India - the world's youngest climate activist - stands with Greta Thunberg and demands three new policies|publisher=[[Business Insider]]|access-date=19 December 2019}}</ref>
On 18 February 2020 she addressed the TEDxSBSC held in [[University of Delhi]], [[New Delhi]], India. On 23 February 2020 she addressed the TEDxGateway held in [[Mumbai]] and received a [[standing ovation]] for her speech. She addressed [[TEDx]] talks for the six times by the time she was nine years old.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.timesnownews.com/mirror-now/society/article/cop25-8-yr-old-indian-greta-urges-world-leaders-to-save-planet/526300|title=Licypriya Kangujam|access-date=23 February 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/mumbai/young-ones-to-take-centre-stage-at-tedxgateway-tomorrow/article30884650.ece|title=Young ones to take centre stage at TEDxGateway tomorrow |publisher=The Hindu|access-date=23 February 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://tedxgateway.com/portfolio/licypriya-kangujam/|title=Licypriya Kangujam|work=|access-date=22 February 2020}} {{Dead link|date=August 2021}}</ref>

==Life==
Licypriya Kangujam was born on 2 October 2011 in Bashikhong, [[Manipur]], India, the eldest daughter of Kanarjit Kangujam and Bidyarani Devi Kangujam Ongbi. She began raising her voice to combat [[climate change]] and disaster risk reduction, when she was seven. In June 2019, she protested in front of the Parliament House of India addressing the [[Prime Minister of India]] [[Narendra Modi]] to enact the climate change law in India.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.scoopwhoop.com/news/7-year-old-climate-change-parliament-pm-modi/ |title=A 7-Year-Old Takes Stand Near The Parliament Urging PM Modi To Pass The Climate Change Law |newspaper=[[ScoopWhoop]] |date=22 June 2019 |access-date=22 June 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.poknapham.in/daily/english/4694|title=Angola backs Licypriya's green world campaign |newspaper=[[Poknapham]] |date=24 September 2019 |access-date=24 September 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-seven-year-old-becomes-the-youngest-green-activist-2789383 |title=Seven-year-old becomes the youngest green activist |newspaper=[[Daily News and Analysis]] |date=9 September 2019 |access-date=9 September 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.timesnownews.com/mirror-now/society/article/aged-7-licypriya-kangujam-stands-outside-parliament-to-urge-prime-minister-mps-to-pass-climate-change-law/441304 |title=Aged 7, Licypriya Kangujam stands outside Parliament to urge Prime Minister, MPs to pass climate change law |newspaper=[[Mirror Now]] |date=22 June 2019 |access-date=22 June 2019}}</ref> Her father Kanarjit Kangujam Singh was arrested on 31 May 2021 as he had allegedly duped several self-help groups, hotels and individuals of more than Rs 19 lakh for a Global Youth Meet that he had organised in Imphal in 2014.<ref>{{Cite web|last1=May 31|first1=Mohua Das / TNN /|last2=2021|last3=Ist|first3=20:30|title=On the run since 2016, child activist Licypriya Kangujam's father arrested from Delhi {{!}} India News - Times of India|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/on-the-run-since-2016-child-activist-licypriya-kangujams-father-arrested-from-delhi/articleshow/83117778.cms|access-date=2021-06-05|website=The Times of India|language=en}}</ref> Nearly a hundred children from 12 countries claim Kanarjit Kangujam scammed them.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Is the Father of 'India's Greta Thunberg' Scamming Other Child Activists?|url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/5db9yk/licypriya-father-of-indias-greta-thunberg-arrest-scam|access-date=2021-06-05|website=www.vice.com|language=en}}</ref>

==2018–2019 activism==
[[File:Licypriya addressing UNESCO Partners’ Forum 2019.jpg|left|thumb|Kangujam addressing UNESCO Partners' Forum 2019 (Biennial Luanda) in Angola on 20 September 2019.]]

===Visits to Mongolia===
In 2018, Licypriya attended a UN disaster conference in Mongolia along with her father. This inspired her to get involved in activism. In an article in the [[BBC News]] she stated "I got lots of inspiration and new knowledge from the people giving speeches. It was a life-changing event." Licypriya founded the "Child Movement" soon after the event to raise awareness to protect the planet by tackling climate change and natural disasters.<ref name="My life"/>

===Visits to Africa===

Kangujam attended the UNESCO Partners' Forum 2019 (Biennial Luanda) in [[Luanda]] City, Angola invited by UNESCO, African Union & Government of Angola. She addressed on climate change along with [[President of Angola]] [[João Lourenço]], [[President of Mali]] [[Ibrahim Boubacar Keïta]], [[President of Malawi]] [[Hage Geingob]], President of [[Republic of the Congo]] [[Denis Sassou Nguesso]], [[First Lady]] of Angola [[Ana Dias Lourenço]], First Lady of [[Namibia]] [[Monica Geingos]], [[Nobel Peace Prize]] Laureate 2018 [[Denis Mukwege]], [[UNESCO]] Director General [[Audrey Azoulay]], Deputy Prime Minister of [[Guinea]] [[Francois Fall]] and all Culture Ministers of Africa.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://en.unesco.org/events/biennale-luanda-pan-african-forum-culture-peace |title=Biennale of Luanda - Pan-African Forum for the culture of peace |website=[[UNESCO]] |date=20 September 2019 |access-date=20 September 2019}}</ref><ref name="au.int">{{cite news |url=https://au.int/en/newsevents/20190918/biennal-luanda-pan-african-forum-culture-peace |title=Biennale of Luanda: Pan-African Forum for the Culture of Peace |website=[[African Union]] |date=20 September 2019 |access-date=20 September 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://indiaeducationdiary.in/licypriya-kangujam-met-with-the-president-of-namibia/ |title=Licypriya Kangujam met with The President of Namibia |newspaper=India Education Diary |date=20 September 2019 |access-date=20 September 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://realtime.rediff.com/news/india/Licypriya-draws-attention-of-world-leaders-on-her-maiden-climate-change-movement-in-Angola/ea169cddc93b6466 |title=Licypriya draws attention of world leaders on her maiden climate change movement in Angola |newspaper=[[Rediff Realtime]] |date=20 September 2019 |access-date=20 September 2019}}</ref>

===Kerala Flood 2018===

Licypriya donated her savings of Rupees 100,000 to the [[List of chief ministers of Kerala|Chief Minister of Kerala]] [[Pinarayi Vijayan]] on 24 August 2018 to help the flood victim children of Kerala Massive Flood. Two years later she received the acknowledgement letter from the Kerala Government.<ref>{{cite news |url= http://www.saarcyouth.org/licypriya-kangujam-donated-to-support-million-of-victim-children-of-kerala-massive-flood-in-2018/|title=Licypriya Kangujam Donated ₹1,00,000 to Kerala Government to Support Victim Children of Kerala Massive Flood in 2018 but Acknowledged after almost 2 Years|newspaper=Saarcyouth.org|date=22 October 2019|access-date=22 October 2019}}</ref>

Licypriya's donation to the Chief Minister supported their work in protecting children hit by the flood. She felt her small contribution would help make a difference to the children during the tough time.

===Great October March 2019===
On 21 October 2019, Licypriya started the "Great October March 2019" at [[India Gate]], [[New Delhi]] with nearly thousands of her supporters. The Great October March took place from 21 to 27 October in various locations to request immediate action on [[climate change]] and to enact the climate law in India.<ref name="My life"/><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.shethepeople.tv/news/meet-licypriya-kangujam-the-indian-climate-activist|title=Meet Licypriya Kangujam, The Indian Climate Activist|website=[[SheThePeople.TV]] |date=29 January 2020 |access-date=20 September 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://pragativadi.com/licypriya-kangujam-kicks-off-worldwide-protest-demands-on-climate-action/|title=Licypriya Kangujam kicks off worldwide protest, demands on climate action|newspaper=[[Pragativadi]] |date=22 October 2019|access-date=22 October 2019}}</ref>

==={{anchor|SUKIFU}}Survival Kit for the Future===
Licypriya brought out a symbolic device called SUKIFU (Survival Kit for the Future) to curb the air pollution on 4 October 2019. SUKIFU is an almost zero budget kit designed from trash to provide fresh air to breathe when pollution is bad. This wearable plant is a recognition of the Green Movement for air pollution.
Anybody can build up this concept at home from the recycling trash to instill fresh air directly into our lungs. She launched it in front of the Punjab & Haryana Legislative Assembly House as a symbol of demonstration before the oath taking ceremony of newly elected Haryana MLAs & Ministers. She draws the attention of the leaders to find urgent solution for the current crisis of air pollution in Delhi & [[National Capital Region]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.pragativadi.com/licypriya-kangujam-launches-solution-to-curb-air-pollution/ |title=Licypriya Kangujam launches solution to curb air pollution |newspaper=[[Pragativadi]] |date=4 Nov 2019 |access-date=4 Nov 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://theshillongtimes.com/2019/11/05/8-yr-olds-solution-to-tackle-air-pollution/ |title=8 yr olds solution to tackle air pollution |newspaper=[[Pragativadi]] |date=5 Nov 2019 |access-date=5 Nov 2019}}</ref>
"<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.northeasttoday.in/8-years-old-licypriya-kangujam-launched-solution-to-curb-air-pollution/|title=8-years-old Licypriya Kangujam launched solution to curb air pollution.|newspaper=[[The Northeast Today]] |date=5 Nov 2019 |access-date=5 Nov 2019}}</ref>

Further she added that the project is inspired by the air pollution problem in Delhi, and that she doesn't want its message to only be about the environment. Instead, it's about the same adaptability that caused her to come forward with a mission, the qualities of resilience that it takes to survive now and in the future. She developed the model with the support of Chandan Ghosh, professor at [[Indian Institute of Technology Jammu]] (IIT)."<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/chandigarh/time-to-act-against-pollution-says-8-yr-old-climate-activist/856458.html |title=Time to act against pollution, says 8-yr-old climate activist |newspaper=[[The Tribune]] |date=5 Nov 2019 |access-date=5 Nov 2019}}</ref>

===COP25===
[[File:Licypriya_with_UN_Secretary_General2.jpg|thumb|Licypriya Kangujam with UN Secretary General [[António Guterres]] at the [[United Nations Climate Change Conference 2019]] (COP25) in Madrid, Spain on 12 December 2019.]]
Licypriya Kangujam addressed at [[COP25]] urging the world leaders to act now on [[climate change]]. The United Nations Climate Conference was held to discuss the international action on climate change. 26,000 people from 196 countries attended this event. The event was held from 2 December to 13 December at IFEMA, Madrid, Spain, hosted by Government of Chile with the logistics support Of Government of Spain under the [[UNFCCC]] (United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change).<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.deccanherald.com/national/un-chief-lavishes-praise-on-indias-8-yr-old-activist-785269.html |title=UN Chief lavishes praise on India's 8-yr-old activist |newspaper=[[Deccan Herald]] |date=2019-12-13 |access-date=2019-12-13}}</ref>

Kangujam met the [[UN Secretary-General]] during The UN Climate Change Conference COP25 and submitted a memorandum "on behalf of the children of the world." The memorandum stated that she wants to create a better place for all children of the world. She was praised by the UN Secretary-General [[António Guterres]]. [[Greta Thunberg]] and several other global leaders participated during the event.
<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.outlookindia.com/newsscroll/indias-8yrold-activist-at-cop25-reminder-of-worlds-obligations-to-future-generations-un-chief/1684804 |title=India's 8-yr-old activist at COP25 reminder of world's obligations to future generations:UN Chief |newspaper=[[Outlook (Indian magazine)|Outlook]] |date=2019-12-13 |access-date=2019-12-13}}</ref>

==2020 activism==

===World Economic Forum 2020===

In 2020, Licypriya published a letter to the participants at the [[World Economic Forum]] with activists Greta Thunberg, [[Luisa Neubauer]], Isabelle Axelsson, and Loukina Tille, calling on companies, banks and governments to immediately stop subsidizing fossil fuels.
In an [[opinion piece]] given to [[The Guardian]] they said, "We don't want these things done by 2050, 2030 or even 2021, we want this done now – as in right now. We call upon the world’s leaders to stop investing in the fossil fuel economy that is at the very heart of this planetary crisis. Instead, they should invest their money in existing sustainable technologies, research and in restoring nature. Short-term profit should not trump long-term stability of life."<ref name=guardian>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/jan/10/greta-thunberg-davos-tycoons-fossil-fuels-dismantle-climate-crisis |title=At Davos we will tell world leaders to abandon the fossil fuel economy |newspaper=The Guardian |date=10 Jan 2020 |author1=Greta Thunberg |author2=others |display-authors=1 |access-date= 5 February 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2020/01/davos-abandon-fossil-fuel-economy-climate-change-greta-thunberg/|title=At Davos we will tell world leaders to abandon the fossil fuel economy |newspaper=[[World Economic Forum]] |date=10 Jan 2020 |access-date=10 Jan 2020}}</ref>

=== Campaign for teaching climate change in schools ===
She has been campaigning to make lessons in climate change mandatory in schools and as per her request the government of Gujarat has included climate change in school education.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p0828z5f|title=BBC World Service - BBC OS, BBC OS, How I became an 8-year-old climate activist|website=BBC|language=en-GB|access-date=2020-02-09}}</ref>

===Earth Day 2020===
In 2020 Licypriya addressed the gatherings globally on Earth Day 2020 at [[Washington, D.C.]], United States. The event was virtual, due to the outbreak of the [[COVID-19 pandemic]]. She featured with 50 other global leaders, influencers, celebrities, athletes and musicians including [[Pope Francis]], [[Sylvia Earle]], [[Denis Hayes]], [[Bill McKibben]], Global Advisory Committee Member [[Albert II, Prince of Monaco|Albert II]] (Price of Monaco), [[Alexandria Villaseñor]], [[Al Gore]], [[Patricia Espinosa]], [[Christiana Figueres]], [[Michelle Dilhara]], [[Jerome Foster II]], [[John Kerry]], [[Thomas Lovejoy]], [[Ed Begley Jr.]], [[Zac Efron]], [[Anil Kapoor]], [[Van Jones]], Ricky Keij, [[Paul Nicklen]] and [[Alex Honnold]], giving a message of hope to fight the ongoing climate crisis.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.citybeat.com/arts-culture/blog/21129541/join-celebrities-musicians-activists-and-the-pope-for-an-alldigital-earth-day|title=Join Celebrities, Musicians, Activists and the Pope for an All-Digital Earth Day and 24 Hours of Action |website=[[Cincinnati CityBeat]]|language=en-GB|access-date=2020-02-09}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.citybeat.com/arts-culture/blog/21129541/join-celebrities-musicians-activists-and-the-pope-for-an-alldigital-earth-day|title=Join Celebrities, Musicians, Activists and the Pope for an All-Digital Earth Day and 24 Hours of Action |website=[[Condé Nast Traveller]]|language=en-GB|access-date=2020-02-09}}</ref>

== Controversy ==
In June 2021, Licypriya was in the news as a crowdfunding appeal on Ketto seeking one crore rupees to buy 100 oxygen concentrators came under scrutiny following the arrest of her father and legal guardian Kangujam Karnajit, on May 31, 2021.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|last=Ahanthem|first=Chitra|date=2021-06-05|title=How A Dubious Crowdfund Was Started in A 9-Yr-Old Activist's Name|url=https://www.thequint.com/news/india/how-a-dubious-crowdfund-was-started-in-licypriya-kangujams-name|access-date=2021-06-05|website=TheQuint|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Sirur|first=Simrin|date=2021-05-31|title=KK Singh, father of 9-yr-old climate activist Licypriya Kangujam, arrested for 'forgery'|url=https://theprint.in/india/kk-singh-father-of-9-yr-old-climate-activist-licypriya-kangujam-arrested-for-forgery/668664/|access-date=2021-06-06|website=ThePrint|language=en-US}}</ref> Her father, also known as KK Singh, was declared an absconder and had fled Manipur in 2016 after he was arrested and let out on interim bail following multiple charges.<ref>{{Cite web|last1=May 31|first1=Mohua Das / TNN /|last2=2021|last3=Ist|first3=20:30|title=On the run since 2016, child activist Licypriya Kangujam's father arrested from Delhi {{!}} India News - Times of India|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/on-the-run-since-2016-child-activist-licypriya-kangujams-father-arrested-from-delhi/articleshow/83117778.cms|access-date=2021-06-06|website=The Times of India|language=en}}</ref> These charges were for duping several self-help groups, hotels and individuals of more than Rs 19 lakh for a Global Youth Meet that he had organised in Imphal in 2014. His latest arrest was for fresh charges relating to his chairmanship of the International Youth Committee, an organisation founded by him. Several national and international students have been deceived of money amounting to around Rs 3 crore on the pretext of fees for multiple international youth exchange programs, that were never organised.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Licypriya Kangujam's father KK Singh arrested on cheating and forgery charges: Here's all you need to know about him|url=https://www.freepressjournal.in/india/licypriya-kangujams-father-kk-singh-arrested-on-cheating-and-forgery-charges-heres-all-you-need-to-know-about-him|access-date=2021-06-06|website=Free Press Journal|language=en}}</ref>

Relating to the crowdfunding appeal on Ketto, Laxmi K, who works on climate action and was aware of prior allegations related to her fathers activities, initiated contact with Ketto requesting due diligence.<ref name=":0" /> Further concerns around the Ketto crowd funding drive was flagged by political activist [[Angellica Aribam]], a day after Paojel Chaoba of The Frontier Manipur broke a story on 19 May on how the Ketto donation drive by the child activist could be a possible scheme to defraud people by her father.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Licypriya's father is fugitive conman|url=https://thefrontiermanipur.com/licypriyas-father-is-fugitive-conman/|access-date=2021-06-06|language=en}}</ref> In an email written to Varun Sheth of Ketto, Angellica asked whether the Noble Citizen Foundation, the agency that was being handed the money collected from the donation drive had any credibility and if Ketto was certain there were no connections with the child's father. However, she never received any response.

It is now widely accepted that both Licypriya and her father used deceitful methods to hog the limelight and generate favourable publicity. The father and the daughter were caught exaggerating their manipulated accomplishments and using run-of-the-mill acknowledgements from reputed organisations to spin a web of lies around their achievement.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-05-31|title=Manipur 'activist' Licypriya Kangujam's fugitive father arrested in Delhi|url=https://www.eastmojo.com/news/2021/05/31/manipur-activist-licypriya-kangujams-fugitive-father-arrested-in-delhi/|access-date=2021-06-06|website=EastMojo|language=en-US}}</ref>

On June 5, 2021, Harvard International Review, which had earlier interviewed Licypriya issued a statement saying "''In light of Kangujam's father's arrest in India, the Harvard International Review reiterates its policy of not endorsing the contents of any interview. Interviews inherently reflect subjective views of the interviewee. The interview reflects the views of Kangujam exclusively.''.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-06-06|title=Survival for the Future: Interview with Climate Activist Licypriya Kangujam|url=https://hir.harvard.edu/licypriya-kangujam-interview/|access-date=2021-06-06|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210606075437/https://hir.harvard.edu/licypriya-kangujam-interview/|archive-date=6 June 2021}}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist|refs=

}}

==External links==
*[http://www.saarcyouth.org/licypriya-kangujam-biography-the-youngest-face-of-climate-change-movement-in-the-world/ Licypriya Kangujam on South Asian Youth Summit]
*[https://www.thequint.com/news/india/how-a-dubious-crowdfund-was-started-in-licypriya-kangujams-name#read-more Licipriya Kangujam on Controversy]

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Kangujam, Licypriya}}
[[Category:2011 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Indian women environmentalists]]
[[Category:Climate activists]]
[[Category:Activists from Manipur]]
[[Category:Indian children]]

Licypriya Kangujam - Revision history

>BrownHairedGirl at 07:31, 26 December 2021