Rice Bucket Challenge India
Commonwealth Point of Light 149. Manju Latha Kalanidhi
Manju Latha Kalanidhi, representing India, is a journalist from Hyderabad and the founder of the ‘Rice Bucket Challenge’ which harnesses the power of social media to encourage people to donate a bucket of rice to those living in poverty and then challenges three others to do the same.
Manju initially launched the challenge in 2014, in response to the viral ‘Ice Bucket Challenge’, with the simple thought of “Why waste water when you can donate rice?” During COVID-19, with lockdown preventing many people from working and being able to buy food, Manju has reached out through the challenge to ensure marginalised communities in Hyderabad and beyond have access to groceries and hot meals. So far, it has raised over 27,000 kilos of essential food, nourishing 400,000 vulnerable people.
Manju received her award from Dr Andrew Fleming, British Deputy High Commissioner to Andhra Pradesh and
Telangana (pictured above).