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UK: Punjab Teenager Wins Diana Award

By Barbara Lewis

Among the array of memorial projects to Diana, Princess of Wales, are the Diana Awards, which recognise young people who seek to help others.

One of the latest recipients is Kamalpreet Kaur Aulakh, 16, from Leicester in the English Midlands, who has "dedicated a huge amount of time, effort and compassion in voluntarily serving people in her community," organisers of the Diana Award said.

She was nominated for the award by another very notable British-Indian, Manjula Sood, who became Lord Mayor of Leicester this year, making her the first Asian woman in Britain to hold the office of mayor.

Sood presented Kamalpreet with her award at a ceremony on June 23, in the mayor's office in Leicester. "She is a fantastic role model and inspiration to others in the community. I am delighted that she has been publicly recognised for her community and volunteering work," said Sood.

Kamalpreet, whose family originally came from Punjab, India, has been working as a volunteer since she was 11. Inspired to try to help others partly by the death of her grandmother from cancer, she is also following the example of her mother, who launched Kamalpreet's career as a volunteer by taking her with her to help blind people, a spokeswoman for the Diana Awards said. Kamalpreet herself was unavailable for comment as she was away on a hard-earned holiday at the time of writing.

Her voluntary work now includes working at a shop to provide funds for LOROS - the Leicestershire and Rutland Organisation for the Relief of Suffering - that helps to provide hospice care. She also takes part in the LOTUS youth programme, whose aim is to teach young people how to incorporate human values in their own life.

Other community work involves raising funds for the charity, Wishes 4 Kids, set up to grant wishes for children living in Leicestershire, who are terminally ill, have suffered major abuse or are HIV-positive.

As if all that isn't enough, Kamalpreet also helps to serve hot meals to people from all communities and seeks to increase understanding between people of different faiths in her hometown. Leicester has a large population of immigrants, mostly from the Indian subcontinent, and brings together people of many different religions. Kamalpreet's tireless activity should stand her in good stead if she manages to fulfil her ambition of joining the medical profession.

Although she is exceptional, Kamalpreet is far from alone. Since the Diana Award was set up in 1999, around two years after Diana was killed in a Paris road accident, it has honoured more than 22,000 people aged between 12 and 18. "Each award holder shows inspirational qualities for very different things," said spokeswoman Emma Pelling. "Award holders include volunteers, campaigners, fund-raisers, as well as young carers and young people who, despite their own personal difficulties or tragedies, continue to contribute to their communities."

The awards aim to reflect the qualities of Diana, who was famous for her compassion and charity work. She was one of the first high-profile celebrities to be photographed touching a person infected with HIV, helping to overcome popular prejudices.

The teaching profession has recognised the significance of the awards that seek to carry on the spirit of Diana's work.

"The awards are seen by many as the equivalent of the children's honours system and have a lasting impact on the lives of the young people who gain them," said the website for teachers, TeacherNet. It quoted research into teachers' views that found they were regarded as particularly prestigious. "When someone gives an award with the name of Diana on it, that has a certain cache," one teacher was quoted as saying.

Those who hold a Diana Award are given access to a life-long alumni programme to support their personal development and their continuing involvement in community projects.

In addition to the main award, the Diana Anti-Bullying Award has been presented to around 8,000 young people who have helped to combat the problem of bullying in schools and communities.

(Courtesy: Women's Feature Service)