Unnathi Suranaa
UNICEF India Youth Advocate Unnathi Suranaa for Inclusion, and Mental Well-being
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Appointed as UNICEF India Youth Advocate at the age of 19, Unnathi, born with Down Syndrome, has consistently demonstrated resilience, determination, and leadership. She was awarded the IB MYP Innovator Grant (2022), becoming the first individual with a disability to receive this recognition. The grant acknowledged her innovative approach and contribution toward inclusive education and advocacy. She is recognized for her active role as a Youth Panelist at the UNICEF India National Consultation on Adolescent Mental Health in Bhopal, MP, where she contributed to discussions on youth well-being and inclusion.
Unnathi has been associated with various initiatives promoting inclusion and awareness of neurodiversity. She serves as the Brand Ambassador of the Down Syndrome Federation of India (DSFI), through which she advocates for acceptance and representation of individuals with disabilities. She also acted in a movie ‘CRAZXY’, the theme of the movie highlighted that people with Down Syndrome can also be smart.
Unnathi’s public engagements include delivering a TEDx Talk, where she shared insights from her personal journey and emphasized the importance of self-belief and social acceptance.
In addition to her advocacy work, Unnathi has pursued Kuchipudi dance training for over seven years and participates actively in table tennis and yoga. She has also established a YouTube channel and a podcast aimed at raising awareness and reshaping public perceptions about disability and inclusion.
On 21 January 2026, Unnathi had her first UNICEF Field Visit to NICU, Pediatric Ward of the Surat Civil Hospital, organized by the Gujarat Field Office. The field visit was enriching in getting to know the UNICEF programming on the ground with explanation of ventilators, nebulization, KMC, and many other procedures. She enjoyed playing with the babies the most, learning that early healthcare is extremely important for a good life. One more important thing that she noticed is that doctors are not focusing only on diseases, but also on nutrition, mental health, and happiness.
This experience strengthened her resolve to know and understand activities of UNICEF better and learn more about the social protection schemes.
On 21 March 2026, observing the World Down Syndrome Day, Unnathi presented her perspective on inclusion via insightful replies on her role as a UNICEF India Youth Advocate and her work for inclusion.
Links to Social Media, Media, In-Person events
| Day and date | Details | Links |
| 21 November 2026 | Announcement of the onboarding of the second cohort of UNICEF India Youth Advocates (2025-2026) | Insta: (3) Instagram |
| 3 December 2025 – International Day of Persons with Disabilities | Unnathi's message on International Day of Persons with Disabilities "When we create environments where everyone feels valued, we build a world with compassion and limitless potential" | Insta: (3) Instagram |
| 12 January 2026 – National Youth Day | UNICEF India Youth Advocates say: “We care. We believe. We act.” This #NationalYouthDay, our Youth Advocates remind us that real change begins when youth step up, speak out, and take action — #foreverychild, everywhere. | Insta: Instagram |
| 21 January 2026 | Unnathi's visit to Surat Civil Hospital's Intervention Centre, an opportunity to gain deeper insights into UNICEF’s programming in Surat and Gujarat, particularly in the area of inclusion. | Insta: (3) Instagram |
| 21 March 2026 – World Down Syndrome Day | On World Down Syndrome Day, Unnathi shared her messages on Inclusion, reflecting on her role as a UNICEF India Youth Advocate and her work on Inclusion. | Insta: Instagram |
I enjoyed playing with the babies the most. I learned that early healthcare is extremely important for a good life. I also realised that these things can be very complicated, and our doctors are very skilled and very brave. One more important thing is that our doctors are not focusing only on diseases, but also on nutrition, mental health, and happiness.