Bengaluru – Aadya Kanchan, a Grade 11 student at Vidyashilp Academy, has won the Youth Talent Award at the 2nd Fairtrade in India Conference for her outstanding work promoting sustainability and ethical consumption. Recognized for embodying Fairtrade values, Aadya has inspired her school and community through impactful campaigns and programs.
A philomath with a passion for sustainability, technology, and diplomacy, Aadya has developed award-winning projects, filed patents, and published research, while interning at leading institutions like IISc. She has been an active member of the Fairtrade movement for six years, demonstrating a long-standing commitment to social and environmental justice.
Beyond science and advocacy, Aadya is an author, classical ballet dancer, and national and international level debater. Guided by curiosity and empathy, she bridges knowledge with action to create real-world solutions.
This award celebrates her creativity, leadership, and lasting contributions to ethical and sustainable practices.
Bengaluru, Karnataka – September 2025:
From a curious fourth grader observing a school sustainability project to a national youth leader driving change in fashion, farming, and fairness — sixteen-year-old Aadya Kanchan has come a long way, winning the Youth Talent Award this September for leading India’s Youth Fairtrade India Conference 2025 for her outstanding leadership in mobilizing India’s youth toward sustainability, fairness, and ethical trade practices.
When she first learned about Fairtrade as a young observer in her school’s sustainability sessions, Aadya was deeply struck by how every product carries the unseen stories of farmers, workers, and ecosystems. What began as curiosity soon became commitment — and that spark has since grown into a nationwide youth-led effort inspiring thousands to choose fairness with every purchase.
Commending her remarkable journey, Mr. Abhishek Jani, CEO of Fairtrade India, said,
“It is incredibly inspiring to see young changemakers like Aadya carrying forward the mission of Fairtrade with such genuine passion and creativity. Youth voices are the heartbeat of a more equitable and sustainable future.”
From a Classroom Lesson to a National Movement
Aadya’s journey began in 2018, when Vidyashilp Academy became India’s first Fairtrade School. Then a Grade 4 student, she quickly connected with the idea that every purchase tells a story — of farmers, workers, and the planet impacted by that choice.
Over the years, she embedded Fairtrade values into school culture — organizing awareness drives, workshops, and creative campaigns that encouraged her peers to think beyond consumption to conscious choice and ethical sourcing.
Driving Change, Inspiring Impact (2019–2024)
Aadya’s leadership evolved from school-level action to national impact.
She represented Indian youth at EU-led conferences, highlighting how fair trade empowers both producers and consumers. Through community campaigns such as Vidyashilp’s Enterprising Day and Fairtrade Bake Sales, she reached over 1,000 citizens, turning everyday spaces into hubs of ethical awareness.
Her work addresses a pressing national challenge — India generates over 7.8 million tonnes of textile waste every year, yet only about 25% is recycled. Aadya’s breakthrough came in 2024 with the Fashion Revolution Campaign — A Youth Campaign involving 35 schools and 16,000 students — which repurposed 22,450 garments and inspired 540 citizens, including students, teachers, and school administrators, to adopt ethical fashion habits. Through this movement, she is transforming waste into value, building awareness for conscious consumption, supporting fair wages for farmers, strengthening sustainable farming.
That same year, Aadya co-founded India’s first student-led Fairtrade e-commerce platform, connecting seven Fairtrade Certified brands and generating a turnover of ₹2–3 lakhs per sales cycle. By managing sourcing and logistics, she demonstrated how transparent, sustainable supply chains can drive real impact for farmers and consumers alike.
True Sustainability: A 360° Model of Fairness and Climate Action
Aadya believes that sustainability reaches its true form only when fairness and climate responsibility flow through the entire chain — from responsible farming practices and fair prices for producers to conscious consumption and product repurposing that reduces waste.
“Ethical sourcing, fair pricing, conscious buying, and repurposing — that’s the real 360° of sustainability. But true sustainability also demands climate action and climate justice,” says Aadya. “When environmental balance aligns with social fairness, every face across the chain — from farmer to consumer — truly smiles.” says Aadya.
A Vision for the Future
Looking ahead, Aadya aims to transform Bengaluru into India’s Fairtrade Town, mobilizing schools, youth, and local businesses to make fairness a way of life. Her mission reflects the essence of true sustainability — empowering young people and communities to build a just, ethical, and responsible future.