Odisha’s pride, Dhriti Moksha Panigrahi, a 13-year-old climate and peace advocate from Parlekhemundi in Gajapati district, has made history by being appointed to the prestigious United Nations Youth Group on Nuclear Disarmament.
This appointment comes under the Preparatory Commission for the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organisation (CTBTO), a global body advancing peace and denuclearisation.
The daughter of Parlakhemundi MLA Shri Rupesh Panigrahi, Moksha’s environmental journey began early, marked by her participation in the world’s largest rural climate strike in 2018—an event that brought her into the national spotlight. Her activism is deeply rooted in Odisha’s environmental movements, notably as a member of the Earth Again Movement and a prominent voice in The Child Movement, co-led by her mentor and renowned child environmentalist Licypriya Kangujam.
A student of SAI International School, Bhubaneswar, Moksha has consistently championed youth involvement in global issues through debates, forums, and campaigns, focusing on sustainable development and child rights.
Her selection to the UN Youth Group signals a powerful shift toward empowering rural voices in global discussions on peace, disarmament, and climate resilience. “We are incredibly proud of Moksha. Her voice reflects the power, passion, and promise of the next generation,” said Licypriya Kangujam.
This milestone not only marks a personal triumph for Moksha but also reinforces India’s emerging leadership in international youth advocacy.
