Leila Badyari

India’s new pollution control vessel, Samudra Pratap, is designed to respond to oil spills far from shore, where damage usually begins. Built in Goa with indigenous technology, it focuses on early containment—protecting fishing grounds, coastal ecosystems, and the livelihoods that depend on clean seas.

In 2025, stories published by The Better India moved beyond awareness to real-world change. From supporting rescued children and survivors to enabling livelihoods, recognition, and collaboration, these moments showed how impact journalism, when rooted in trust and empathy, can influence decisions, create real solutions, and save lives.

A reflection on winter memories from the 1990s, this story brings together parents from across India who are recreating pre-digital traditions for their children. From Christmas trees and beach picnics to farms, fairs, and decluttering rituals, it explores how winter once shaped time, care, and togetherness.

On foggy winter mornings, solar panels in Delhi often generate far less power, while panels in freezing Ladakh continue to perform strongly. Here’s the science behind solar performance, how pollution, snow, and sunlight affect output across India, and what homeowners should realistically expect from rooftop solar systems in winter.

In Goa, 25 women and a civil engineer came together to build an 18-foot Christmas tree made entirely of crocheted yarn. Created by The Crochet Collective, the installation revives a fading craft, centres women’s labour, and offers a sustainable alternative to plastic-heavy festive décor.

When Messi’s brief Kolkata appearance disappointed thousands, excitement shifted into frustration almost instantly. This explainer breaks down the human psychology behind such emotional swings in large gatherings — why confusion spreads, why structure matters, and how individuals can stay grounded when a crowd’s mood begins to change.

At 21, Shafali Verma represents a kind of ambition we rarely pause to understand. Her story is shaped by early responsibility, setbacks, and an honesty that does not try to impress anyone. From Rohtak’s narrow lanes to lifting a World Cup, she shows what determination looks like when you look at it up close.

I took my five-year-old to the Museum of Goa expecting quiet halls and “don’t touch this” signs. Instead, she found colour, warmth, and a curator who treated her curiosity with the tenderness most adults save for art. Sharada Kerkar didn’t teach from above; she listened and told stories that made Goa’s heritage feel alive. From a 20-foot Narkasur with a moving tongue to festivals filled with memory, mischief, fire, and folklore, every room became a lesson in how communities remember who they are.

In a world buzzing with screens and toys, these 10 thoughtful gifts help kids slow down and fall in love with nature. From planting seeds to spotting birds, each idea is simple, joyful, and full of wonder — perfect for nurturing a deeper connection with the Earth, one small moment at a time.

In a city with less than eight percent forest cover, one patch of green still cools the air, recharges water, and shelters a near-threatened parrot. This is the story of Dol Ka Badh — and the people keeping it alive.