Prayagraj Student Is PETA India’s 2020 Volunteer of the Year
In honour of International Volunteer Day (5 December), PETA India has named OP Jindal Global University student Ayan Banerjee our 2020 Volunteer of the Year.
Eighteen-year-old Ayan, who is vegan, became a PETA India volunteer two years ago. Since then, he has shown dedication in working to inform young people about animal rights. He has visited schools such as Bal Bharti School in Allahabad and Wynberg Allen School in Mussoorie to give talks to students about the benefits of vegan eating. In collaboration with the Allahabad Museum, Ayan took part in a 200-kilometre run – visiting numerous colleges, distributing leaflets, and spreading the word about vegan eating. He helped staff at PETA India’s stall at the vegan Ahimsa Yoga and Music Festival in January and took part in a PETA India street theatre–style demonstration in Allahabad that encouraged onlookers to consider adopting a lovable Indian dog from the streets or an animal shelter instead of buying one. And that’s not all!
During the pandemic, he’s rallied students to join PETA Youth’s online webinar on vegan eating. He’s taken part in various PETA India missions – including a vegan cooking challenge and a Friendship Day activity motivating the public to adopt animals – and encouraged friends to do likewise. Ayan also uses social media to spread awareness of animal rights and feeds community dogs and cats.
When he’s not holding outreach activities for PETA Youth, he’s encouraging fellow students to conduct virtual Compassionate Citizen workshops. Compassionate Citizen is PETA India’s award-winning humane education programme designed to instil empathy for animals in children aged 8 to 12. Ayan does it all with his signature dedicated and kind-hearted approach.
