Aarya Chavda Introduction
Ardent and zealous reformer of change, 12-year-old Aarya Chavda began her journey as an author, illustrator, speaker, heritage and environment crusader, at the age of 6. Since then, she has been fundraising for a cause by donating her art and book proceeds for the welfare of underprivileged cancer patients. Author of 8 books, she pens down her thoughts and voices her words by raising awareness on relevant topics such as heritage preservation, current climate crisis, girl child education and children’s fundamental rights and duties, while leaving the message of peace, non-violence and equality, by depicting the ideologies and legacy of Mahatma Gandhi. Her books have been patronage and published by UNESCO New Delhi, introduced by United Nations India and published in digital platforms like UNESCO Digital library and UNESCO Global Citizenship Education (GCED). Through these platforms, her books are read by readers of all age worldwide. Her books empower readers to find their voice and use it to speak out for change, so that they can enhance their understanding for a peaceful and sustainable future. A fervent believer of, “Small actions lead to big changes”, Aarya demonstrates her commitment through her public awareness campaign on ‘Preservation of Cultural Heritage’ and ‘Sustainable living- Caring for Climate’, by taking talks in schools, private and government institutions. Her lectures attract wide attention of students ranging from Grade 1 till University level. The key idea of her initiative is to motivate and create a movement among the youth across religion, region and race, to enhance their capabilities, by becoming more responsible towards preserving our heritage and protecting our environment. Since past 4 years, she is proudly representing the cultural heritage of India on National and International platforms. To name a few, Aarya’s work on cultural heritage and her books are recognized and appreciated by Hon.Union Home Minister Shri Amit Shah, Hon. Union Cultural Minister Sri Prahlad Singh Patel, Hon. Union Environment Minister Shri Prakash Javadekar, and Former Governor of Gujarat Shri O P Kohli. Her work on heritage preservation is also supported wholeheartedly by Education Minister of Gujarat, Ahmedabad District Collector, Hon. Mayor and Municipal Commissioner of Ahmedabad, who appreciate her commitment in ‘Preservation of Cultural heritage’ at this young age. Since past 2 years Aarya is presenting her work on cultural heritage at UNESCO World Heritage Volunteer program and addressing National and international delegates. A few of her achievements are as follows: • • •
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Sept 2018 - Aarya presented her work on Ahmedabad heritage to Mr Bobir Tukhtabayev at UNESCO office Geneva, Switzerland December 2018 – Presentation on ‘Preservation of heritage’ at UNESCO World Heritage Volunteer program addressing National and international delegates. May 2019 - UNESCO World HQ Paris invited Aarya to present her work on heritage to UNESCO Assistant Director General of Culture Mr Ernesto Ottone Ramirez. Along with her work she also presented first copy of her book, ‘Ahmedabad my city my heritage’ to Mr Ramirez. May 2019 - Presentation of her work at the Indian Embassy Paris to the Ambassador of India to France H.E Mr Vinay M Kwatra.
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June 2019 - Presentation of her work on cultural heritage and legacy of Mahatma Gandhi to Prof Dr Nirmala Sharma, Cultural Director at Gandhi Centre, Indian Embassy Den Haag, Netherlands. June 2019 - Aarya was invited by Director, World Heritage Committee Paris, Ms. Mectild Rossler to present her work at “The Opening Ceremony of 43rd World Heritage Committee” in Baku, Azerbaijan. She represented India and was honored to share stage with H.E Ms. Audrey Azoulay Director General of UNESCO and presented narratives from her 1st book, “Ahmedabad my city my heritage” in front of 2500 diplomats from 180 countries at the age of 9 years. November 2019 - Presentation on cultural heritage to Director and Representative, UNESCO New Delhi, Mr Eric Falt. Publication of her first book by UNESCO New Delhi. November 2019 - Presentation of Aarya’s 2nd book, ‘A Day with Gandhi’ at UNITED NATIONS, Delhi. November 2019 - Presentation of book, ‘A Day with Gandhi’ to Director, Gandhi Smriti Darshan Samiti, Mr DS Gyan. December 2019 - Presentation on ‘Preservation of heritage’ at UNESCO World Heritage Volunteer program addressing National and international delegates. January 2020 - Publication of 2nd book ‘A Day with Gandhi’ in UNESCO Digital library and UNESCO Global Citizen Education (GCED) February 2020 – Letter to Aarya by Hon.Union Home Minister Shri Amit Shah in appreciation of her book, ‘A Day with Gandhi.’ March 2020 - Through her campaign on ‘Preservation of cultural heritage’ Aarya was invited as a Chief Guest to take presentation at YOUNG INTACH for students at Shreyas heritage club. March 2020 - In association with Alliance Francaise d’Ahmedabad and The National Indian Association she was honored to present her work on heritage to Honorable Mayor of Ahmedabad on 8th March 2020. th April 2020 - On the occasion of International Day for Monuments and Sites on 18 April 2020, Aarya delivered her talk on Ahmedabad Heritage with ICOMOS India on FB Live Webinar. April 2020 – UNESCO World Heritage Centre Paris invited Aarya to advocate worldwide campaign “Share our Heritage” to call upon children around the world to participate for ‘Little Artists Exhibition’. Through this campaign, children from 55 countries shared global cultural diversity. It was a rare opportunity given to Aarya to bring positive message of hope and to engage children to enhance their understanding of global cultural diversity during difficult times of COVID- 19. July 2020 - Publication of 3rd book ‘Seeds of Hope’ in UNESCO Digital library and UNESCO Global Citizenship Education (GCED) August 2020 - Letter to Aarya by Hon. Union Environment Minister Shri Prakash Javadekar, in appreciation of her book, ‘Seeds of Hope.’ November 2020 - During the lockdown due to Covid pandemic, as schools were closed since March 2020, little Aarya tried to turn this crisis in a positive way by taking an th opportunity to write and illustrate her 4 book “Intangible Ahmedabad”. This book was later launched during the World Heritage Week in November 2020 by Honorable Mayor of Ahmedabad Smt. Bijalben Patel. This book is patronage and published by UNESCO New Delhi, endorsed by Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation and Ahmedabad World Heritage City Trust.
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January 2021 - Aarya was invited as Guest of Honor in presence of Chief Guest, Hon. Union Minister of Environment, Govt of India, Shri Prakash Javadekar in award ceremony of “Paryavaran Sanrakshan Gatividhi”- National Environment Youth Forum 2021. Through her speech she shared her views from her book “Seeds of Hope.” 25000+ students from 350+ colleges and 75+ universities across India participated on this forum to raise awareness on saving our environment. January 2021 - Aarya was invited by the office of Mayor, Ahmedabad to visit Kevadia along with dignitaries and government officials, on the occasion of country wide launch of 8 trains by Hon. Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi. February 2021 - Publication of 4th book ‘Intangible Ahmedabad’ in UNESCO Digital library February 2021 - Letter to Aarya by Hon, Cultural Minister Sri Prahlad Singh Patel, in appreciation of her book, ‘Intangible Ahmedabad.’ April 2021 – Aarya made 3 short films on ‘cultural heritage and its importance.’ She won Best Script, Best Visuals and Best Narration in films, from Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural heritage (INTACH) June 2021- On the occasion of World Environment day Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) New Delhi invited Aarya as a Guest Speaker to deliver a lecture on “Sustainable living- Caring for Climate.” 500+ youth participated in this online event. June 2021 - Hon. Minister of State, Women & Child Development, Smt. Vibhavari Dave launched Aarya’s 5th and 6th book ‘Rising Above’, ‘Rising Beyond’ and supported it by writing forewords for them. June 2021 - Presentation of her books ‘Rising Above’, ‘Rising Beyond’ on girl child education and children’s rights and duties to Hon. Chief Minister of Gujarat, Shri Vijay Rupani at CM Office, Gandhinagar. August 2021 - Publication of 5th and 6th book ‘Rising Above’, ‘Rising Beyond’ in UNESCO Digital library August 2021 - Publication of book ‘Rising Beyond’ in UNESCO Global Citizenship Education (GCED) November 2021 – Honorable Chief Minister of Gujarat, Shri Bhupendra Bhai Patel launched Aarya’s 7th book, ‘Seeds to Sow’ which emphasizes on ways to practice sustainable living. Aarya set up a campaign on ‘Eco Green Diwali,’ which raised awareness on spreading eco- conscious ways to celebrate clean and green Diwali. Through her book Aarya conveys her message that it is time to retrospect about where our priorities lie. This book is also supported by Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation, Mayor and Municipal Commissioner of Ahmedabad. November 2021- On the occasion of World Children’s day, Aarya was invited as a change maker to deliver her talk on how youth can collaborate to create a better future. This event was organized in collaboration with Elixir Foundation, UNICEF India and Gujarat Youth Forum. Students from 30 schools participated in this daylong event.
November 2021- On 21st Nov, Aarya had the great honor of being the youngest awardee to receive Sant Eshwer Seva Bharti National Award. The awards were conferred by RSS Sarsanghchalak, Dr Mohan Bhagwat and Union Cabinet Minister of Tribal Affairs, Shri Arjun Munda in a ceremony at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi. Every year awardees are selected nationwide by the eminent selection committee on the basis of exceptional social service and humanitarian work.
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November 2021- During World Heritage Week, on 22nd Nov, Aarya met with Mr. Eric Falt, Director of UNESCO New Delhi and presented illustrations from her upcoming book. Mr. Eric Falt unveiled cover page of her upcoming book ‘Magnificent Marvels’, which chronicles her adventure to explore 40 India’s UNESCO World Heritage sites.
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December 2021- Aarya was invited to meet and interact with Ms. Hyun Hee Ban, Chief of Social Policy, UNICEF India at UNICEF Gujarat Field Office. She presented her concerns and voices of children on behalf of youth of Gujarat.
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January 2022- Aaryas work on heritage and environment was featured in ‘Gujarat Pakshik’ a monthly magazine published by State Government of Gujarat.
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January 2022- Aarya was honored to meet and interact with Union Education Minister of India, Shri Dharmendra Pradhan. During her interaction she presented her books ‘Rising Above’ and ‘Rising Beyond’ on girl child education and children’s rights and duties.
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February 2022- on the occasion of National Girl Child Day, UNICEF India organized ‘Kanya Mahotsav’ where Aarya presented her work and represented UNICEF Gujarat. She moderated the event while interacting with Union Women & Child Minister Ms. Smriti Irani and UNICEF Regional Director of South Asia Mr. George Laryea-Adjei.
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February 2022- Aarya was invited as the youngest change maker to speak in an international webinar organized by Ganpat University and Swa-Sarjan Foundation. Change makers from more than 10 countries participated in this event,
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February 2022 – Aarya made 2 short films on ‘Cultural heritage and its importance.’ She won Best Film and Best Narration in her films, from Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural heritage (INTACH)
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Impetuous in her mission, Aarya demonstrates her commitment and contributes in spreading awareness through her campaign on “Preservation of Cultural heritage” and “Sustainable living- Caring for Climate.” With a fervent rigor, she chooses to change the perception of how we look at our cultural values and heritage. Her efficiency and effectiveness sets a path, to motivate and connect the youth to join hands and come forward to become responsible in taking steps towards sustainable living, not only through her books but also through her presentations at government and private Institutions.
For more details of her work please visit: www.aaryachavda.com merakiartinfo@gmail.com, +91-9825030506, +91-9825008402
Publications by Aarya Chavda Book 1 Title: Ahmedabad my city my heritage Author and illustrator: Aarya Chavda (written at the age of 9 years) Foreword by: UNESCO Director, New Delhi, Mr Eric Falt Patronage &Publication by: UNESCO New Delhi Publication in UNESCO Digital Library:
https://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000372338
Book 2 Title: A Day with Gandhi Author and illustrator: Aarya Chavda (written at the age of 10 years) Foreword by: UNESCO Director, New Delhi, Mr Eric Falt Patronage &Publication by: UNESCO New Delhi Introduction by: Ms Renata Dessallien, UN Resident Coordinator in India Publication in UNESCO Digital Library: https://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000372772 Publication in UNESCO Clearinghouse on Global Citizenship Education (GCED) website: https://gcedclearinghouse.org/resources/day-gandhi th Gandhi 150 Logo supported by GSDS (Gandhi Smriti Darshan Samiti, Rajghat, New Delhi)
Book 3 Title: Seeds of Hope Author and illustrator: Aarya Chavda (written at the age of 10 years) Foreword by: UNESCO Director, New Delhi, Mr Eric Falt Patronage &Publication by UNESCO New DelhiPublication in UNESCO Digital Library: https://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000373989 Publication in UNESCO Clearinghouse on Global Citizenship Education (GCED) website: https://www.gcedclearinghouse.org/resources/seedshope?language=en
Book 4 Title: Intangible Ahmedabad Author and illustrator: Aarya Chavda (written at the age of 11 years) Patronage &Publication by UNESCO New Delhi Foreword by: UNESCO Director, New Delhi, Mr Eric Falt Publication in UNESCO Digital Library: https://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000375513.locale=en Endorsed by Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation and Ahmedabad World Heritage City Trust
Book 5 Title: Rising Above Author and Illustrator: Aarya Chavda (written at the age of 11 years) Patronage &Publication by UNESCO New Delhi Publication in UNESCO Digital Library: https://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000378505.locale=en Introduced by: UNESCO Director, New Delhi, Mr Eric Falt Foreword by: Hon. Minister of State, Women & Child Development of Gujarat Smt Vibhavari Dave
Book 6 Title: Rising Beyond Author and Illustrator: Aarya Chavda (written at the age of 11 years) Patronage &Publication by UNESCO New Delhi Publication in UNESCO Digital Library: https://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000378507.locale=en Introduced by: UNESCO Director, New Delhi, Mr Eric Falt Foreword by: Hon. Minister of State, Women & Child Development of Gujarat. Smt Vibhavari Dave Publication in UNESCO Clearinghouse on Global Citizenship Education (GCED) website: https://www.gcedclearinghouse.org/resources/rising-beyond-aiming-towards-brighterfuture
Book 7 Seeds to sow Author and Illustrator: Aarya Chavda (written at the age of 12 years) Launched by Honorable Chief Minister of Gujarat, Shri Bhupendra Bhai Patel ‘Eco Green Diwali,’ campaign supported by Honorable Chief Minister of Gujarat, Mayor and Municipal Commissioner of Ahmedabad.