Tanuj challenging the status quo ? : From Art to Advocacy, you just can’t stop him !

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Tanuj Samaddar has very well grown a reputation for being a versatile individual, his expertise ranging from the field of fine arts, research to advocacy of late is definitely more than enough to raise quite a few eyebrows.
Tanuj’s rebellion began not with speeches but with brushstrokes, his artworks were more than just aesthetics – a warning. His paintings didn’t romanticize nature; they documented its slow murder. While galleries adored his talent, the real world was less welcoming. He wasn’t an artist who painted what people wanted to see; he painted what they needed to see.
Advocacy
Stepping into the field of advocacy, as the Country Lead for Climate Change Writers India, he isn’t just telling stories—he’s calling out the hypocrisy of greenwashing, taking aim at policymakers who treat the climate crisis as a talking point rather than an existential emergency.The Climate Change Writers India team isn’t just about creating awareness—it’s about challenging the status quo, amplifying voices that expose uncomfortable truths, and shaking up a complacent society that has for far too long ignored the urgent cries of our planet.
At Climate Change Writers, his team is endeavouring to bring the grassroot stories of climate resilience to the forefront from different books and corners of the country ! In its infant stage right now, Tanuj is building CCW India from absolute scratch but he has high hopes of it emerging as a top voice in Climate Change advocacy in India very soon. The India chapter of Climate Change Writers is often on the frontline, cutting through the noise with bold, unapologetic narratives.
In a nation where environmental issues are often sidelined or swept under the rug for political convenience, Tanuj’s role is pivotal. The India chapter, under his leadership, isn’t here to hand out participation trophies to those who claim to care about the environment; they are holding people accountable
Credibility that they seek & credibility that he gives :
His achievements speak on his behalf. At the age of 20 he has clinched 3 civilian awards , 2 presidential awards and a nomination for the highest honour of the world for non adults. A Karmaveer Chakra recipient and Kentucky Colonel , Tanuj is also a Fellow of the Royal Society! While mentioning these achievements, we shouldn’t be missing out on his other feats. He is a nominee for the International Children’s Peace Prize and has also received the Global Kids Achievers Award. The Prime Minister of India was amazed to see this prodigious individual while awarding him the highest civilian award of India for non-adults – The Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar. Now he’s eyeing the prestigious Diana Award ! He was a former Global Youth Advisor in the Global Youth Advisory Council of Zimbabwe in collaboration with the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine and has also served as a Youth Campaigner with the Govt of India. With all this in his bucket , he surely has transcended the boundary of being just an artist but a youth activist and icon !
But despite having some 300+ accolades to his name , this award magnet refuses to let only his awards back his credibility. He is a budding researcher and is associated with numerous national and international organisations: International Council on Human Rights, Peace and Politics, Indian Foreign Policy Project, Vanguard Think Tank, World Organisation for Sustainability and Leadership, Development Studies Association, International Institute of SDG, Public Policy Research, Society of Gender Professionals, Impact and Policy Research Institute are a few of these.
Oh, did we mention that he is a Global Youth Ambassador at Aunua Global, Ireland and a Youth Ambassador – All India Glass Manufacturers Federation? A Geopolitics enthusiast , he is currently serving as a Foreign Policy, Diplomacy and Geopolitics Youth Fellow at the Impact & Policy Research Institute, New Delhi. His work in the field of research and scholastic activities was recognised by India’s largest scholarship platform Buddy4Study recently with their Scholars’ Excellence Award in January! On 26th Dec he was felicitated by the Finance Minister of Assam for his extraordinary deeds !
His humble beginnings didn’t impede the monumental growth his portfolio has witnessed in the recent times ! His growth trajectory exhibits an upward spiral coupled with his indomitable spirit, he is surely to break barriers !
Tanuj isn’t interested in empty applause or meaningless awards. He doesn’t sit quietly when brands exploit sustainability for marketing while actively harming the environment. He refuses to be a puppet in convenient youth engagement initiatives designed to pacify young voices rather than empower them.
Speaking to us, he said that , he wants to create an impact and not a small one. Art has always been considered as a passive element of advocacy but through his efforts he wants to combine art with youth and climate change advocacy backed by proper and credible research !
We asked him, if we would see him in the Rashtrapati Bhawan again ? He said hopefully within a decade or two in the Durbar Hall ! Upon asking what his next target award is he responded with the Diana Award !
Do we need to say more about him ? We don’t think so , as words would fall short to describe the story of this iconic youth !
Check out his instagram profile : https://www.instagram.com/being_tsam?igsh=MTdkZHMzcjlzNmUyeA==
To know more about him : https://tinyurl.com/Tanuj-Samaddar