Bhubaneswar: Moksha Dhriti Panigrahi, a young environmental advocate from Odisha and daughter of Parlekhemundi MLA Shri Rupesh Panigrahi, was honoured with the prestigious "Pride of India 2026" Award in the Green Start-Up category during the Pride of Bharat Leadership Summit 2026, held at Le Meridien Hotel, New Delhi, on 28 July 2026.

The award was presented by Shri Jitan Ram Manjhi, Hon'ble Union Minister of Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises (MSME), Government of India, in recognition of Moksha's outstanding contribution to environmental sustainability, climate action, and green innovation.

The award ceremony was attended by several eminent dignitaries, including Shri Chirag Paswan, Union Minister of Food Processing Industries; Shri Bhaskar Murlidhar Bhagare, Member of Parliament; Shri Bhausaheb Rajaram Wakchaure, Member of Parliament; Shri Bajrang Manohar Sonwane, Member of Parliament; Shri Rajabhau Waje, Member of Parliament; H.E. Ms. Lalatiana Accouche, High Commissioner of Seychelles to India; and other distinguished leaders, policymakers, entrepreneurs, and social change-makers.

Moksha Panigrahi, a 14-year-old environmental advocate from Parlakhemundi in Gajapati district, Odisha, has emerged as one of India's inspiring young voices for climate justice. She is an active member of the Earth Again Movement of Odisha, a leading member of The Child Movement, and a youth member of the CTBTO Youth Group, advocating for environmental protection, peace, and sustainable development. She first gained national recognition after participating in one of the world's largest rural climate strikes in 2018 and has since inspired thousands of young people through environmental campaigns, public speaking engagements, and climate awareness initiatives. 

Apart from her climate advocacy, Moksha also played an important role in promoting sustainability initiatives at Hi-Tech Medical College & Hospital. She actively supported efforts to transform the campus into a cleaner, greener, and more environmentally friendly institution by encouraging tree plantation drives, biodiversity conservation, waste segregation, recycling, plastic-free practices, and energy-efficient infrastructure.

She also championed the vision of transforming Hi-Tech Medical College & Hospital into Eastern India's first solar-powered hospital (an ongoing project), promoting the adoption of renewable energy, reducing the institution's carbon footprint, and setting an example for sustainable healthcare infrastructure in the region.

Receiving the Pride of India 2026 Award marked a significant milestone in Moksha Panigrahi's journey as a young environmental leader and brought pride not only to Odisha but also to young climate champions across India who are working towards building a greener, cleaner, and more sustainable future.