Diana Award 2024: Meet the four Bangladeshi young changemakers
Four young Bangladeshi leaders have made it to the Diana Award recipients list this year, which is often regarded as the highest recognition a young person can achieve. The Business Standard spoke with these brilliant minds to learn about their impactful work
The Diana Award is defined by an inspiring motto: "Young people have the power to change the world." This year, marking its 25th anniversary, the prestigious recognition celebrates 200 young leaders from around the globe, spanning 45 countries, for their impactful social initiatives. Four Bangladeshi youths have made it to the list.
The Diana Award recognises and celebrates young changemakers aged 9 to 25 who have made a positive impact on society through humanitarian and charitable activities for at least a year.
Presented by the British Royal Family in memory of Diana, Princess of Wales, it is often regarded as the highest recognition a young person can achieve for their impactful work.
Prince Harry appeared at the virtual award ceremony on 5 December. The Duke of Sussex congratulated the recipients and said, "My mother's belief in the power of young people to drive positive change continues to inspire me every single day. No matter the challenges we face, whether it is climate change, mental health, or systemic injustices, her legacy and the efforts of young people to inspire further action in the world fill me with hope."
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The Business Standard spoke with the four brilliant minds to learn about their work and the impact they have made.
Shawon Mahmud
When he noticed that Bangladeshi youth were falling behind in the fast-paced modern world, Shawon Mahmud, a Jahangirnagar University student, embarked on a mission to create a science-driven society by making complex scientific knowledge accessible and practical for everyone in the Bangla language.
"We live in a society where a child's curiosity is often crushed before it has a chance to bloom. This is why our country doesn't produce researchers capable of winning Nobel Prizes or develop technologies that can make us independent from other nations," he said.
Shawon founded 'BigyanPriyo' in 2018 to bridge the gap in learning science.
"BigyanPriyo is a tool to nurture and preserve curiosity. Just as a translator connects two languages, BigyanPriyo bridges the gap between complex research and everyday people, presenting it in a way they can easily understand," he added.
Unfortunately, BigyanPriyo faced a massive cyber attack in 2021 that erased its online presence. But Shawon rebuilt the platform from scratch once again.
BigyanPriyo is now the largest Bangla-language science network, connecting thousands of students and enthusiasts worldwide through its engaging content.
Shawon's team has created thousands of research-based visual content pieces for their social media platforms and produced over 350 video documentaries explaining scientific discoveries.
"One of our key movements is fighting against pseudoscience and superstitions. Our team has conducted mobile awareness campaigns in over 13 villages and remote areas to counter these harmful beliefs," he said.
All these efforts did not go unnoticed. Expressing his feelings after receiving the Diana Award, Shawon said, "We dream of a Bangladesh where one day, groundbreaking technologies, from quantum-level microprocessors to massive spacecraft, will be developed through our own research. The Diana Award strengthens this vision. It's not just an award — it's a unique recognition of the journey we've taken so far."
Adiba Binte Ahmad Tuba
The struggles of marginalised and underprivileged people during the Covid-19 pandemic touched the young heart of Adiba. She now believes that even small acts of kindness can bring about significant change.
At just 13, she founded the 'Esho Pashe Darai Foundation' to provide such little help. The foundation works to address poverty and bridge resource gaps for underprivileged communities in Bangladesh.
Initially, she was hesitant because of her young age, but she persevered. But her dedication and leadership proved that age is no barrier to making a meaningful impact.
Her foundation's activities include improving education for underprivileged children, organising winter clothing drives, distributing mosquito nets, and providing food during Ramadan.
"We teach basic English to young girls in local schools and provide resources like pencils and erasers. We distribute essential items like toothbrushes, toothpaste, mosquito nets, winter clothing, and Ramadan necessities like food, oil. Every year, we organise food drives, distribute Qurbani meat, and provide financial support for surgeries and urgent aid," Adiba explained.
Simply put, the social welfare organisation strives to provide basic necessities, resources, and opportunities to help improve people's quality of life.
"I feel deeply honoured and overjoyed to receive the Diana award, as it reflects the impact of helping those in need — a cause very close to my heart," Adiba expressed.
Jawad Araf Khan
Jawad Araf Khan, 24, dreams of a zero-unemployment Bangladesh.
"I see three key reasons behind our unemployment problem. First, the youth's mindset to start something only after graduation. But the best time to do it is now. Second, the lack of proper guidance. And third, the lack of proper opportunities and financial support," noted Jawad.
To work toward achieving the unemployment goal, he founded 'Trio Business Cubers,' a platform that connects Bangladeshi youth with global opportunities to empower them.
Addressing barriers like financial constraints and lack of skills, he has conducted free training sessions, equipping over thousands of young people with business and entrepreneurship skills.
Through one-to-one consultations, he has supported more than 320 individuals in starting small businesses or landing a job. His live online shows, 'Let's Amaze with Araf' and 'The Hustle and Bustle Show', have connected youth with global experts. He has invited successful people from various fields from around the world who shared their stories with the virtual audience.
"The Diana Award believes that young people can change the world. And they see that spark in me. It's an honour for me. Also representing my country on such a global stage is a huge privilege," he said.
Jawad's vision is launching a global entrepreneurship magazine and establishing a skills training centre to achieve the ultimate unemployment goal.
Tamzid Rahman
Tamzid, 17, lost his cousin to thalassemia in 2021. The death shook him deeply, but it also inspired him to take action against this life-threatening disease.
Two years later, he founded 'BloodLink', the country's first peer-to-peer blood donation app.
It is like a social media platform, but for blood donation. Anyone can send a 'blood request' — providing all necessary information — whenever they need. People who have already registered as donors on the app can see it. If all requirements match, they can contact the requestor and donate blood. The Bloodlink team also shares the request on different social media groups to find donors.
"My goal is to prevent child mortality due to lack of blood transfusions. My work particularly focuses on children affected by thalassemia and dengue," he said.
Indeed, both are highly critical diseases in our country. Last year, at least 113 children in Bangladesh died from dengue, while 70,000 children are currently suffering from thalassemia.
Tamzid has a team of around 200 volunteers across all 64 districts, which forms the core of Bangladesh's largest open database of blood donors, enlisting over 950 active participants.
They also engage the youth with workshops and advocacy campaigns to promote the importance of blood donation.
"I'm really glad to receive this prestigious global award at such a young age. It will highly inspire me to continue my work on the noble cause," the teen said.
This is not the first time Tamzid has been recognised for his work. Last year, he received the Glocal Teen Hero Bangladesh title. More recently, he was named a Top-30 Nominee for the International Children's Peace Prize 2024 by KidsRights, often referred to as the Nobel Prize for children.
