Keshav Sekhri

Keshav

Nominated by Nayantara Handa

All 2025 Children’s Peace Prize Nominees

Keshav Sekhri, 17, from New Delhi, founded Barefoot Warriors to address footwear waste and provide proper shoes to underprivileged children, senior citizens, and marginalized individuals. Witnessing barefoot children on Delhi streets inspired him to merge social justice with environmental sustainability, creating a circular economy for footwear. His initiative collects discarded shoes, refurbishes them, and redistributes them, preventing injuries, improving mobility, and raising awareness about sustainable consumption.

Supported by NGOs, schools, hospitals, and his community, Keshav has refurbished over 5,000 pairs of shoes, trained and employed cobblers, and prevented significant CO₂ emissions and water usage associated with new shoe production. His campaigns have influenced local institutions and corporations to adopt sustainable practices. Through Barefoot Warriors, Keshav combines environmental action, social empowerment, and community engagement, ensuring both children and adults gain dignity, health, and opportunity while promoting responsible consumption across India.