Shivani Gupta

From reviving forgotten rivers to launching space science education in rural areas, rethinking waste management, and pioneering water conservation during severe droughts — meet five visionary civil servants transforming India with groundbreaking initiatives!

In Varanasi, the efforts of IAS officers S Rajalingam and Himanshu Nagpal to combat malnutrition have transformed thousands of lives — renovating Anganwadi centres, providing nutritional support, and setting up mini Nutritional Rehabilitation Centres, reducing severe acute malnutrition from 24,820 to just 316 in three years.

In Maharashtra’s parched landscapes, former IRS officer Ujjwal Kumar Chavan initiated a transformative water conservation project. Inspired to combat drought, he constructed reservoirs and check dams, increasing water storage across 204 villages. His efforts boosted farmers’ incomes, rejuvenated rivers, and fostered community resilience, demonstrating the power of collective action.

Led by IAS officer Manoj Satyawan Mahajan, the Aama Sundargarh Swachh Sundargarh initiative has transformed rural waste management in Odisha. Engaging over 470 women, it has processed 360 metric tonnes of plastic waste and generated Rs 17 lakhs in revenue, empowering rural women and promoting sustainability.

In Anantapur, the Ananta Neru Sanrakshanam project transformed barren, drought-hit lands into thriving ecosystems through innovative water conservation. Led by Vineet Kumar IFS, and Rupak Yadav, the initiative restored at least 11 water bodies, engaging over 400 villagers in sustainable practices.

Ayush Jain spent four years refining his UPSC plan through setbacks, near-misses and steady growth. A clear shift in his PSIR strategy, weekly revision habits, and a new way of shrinking notes slowly changed everything, carrying him to AIR 344 in his fourth attempt.

Beekeeping offers a sustainable, profitable alternative for farmers and urbanites alike. With just a one-time investment, it enriches biodiversity and supports food security. Anyone over 15 can start with minimal space and time.

A TV clip on Israeli farms sparked a question in Dheeraj Verma's mind and pushed him to try something new on his own land. What followed was a shift in how he grew food, saved resources, and found a better way to support his family.

Every third ever-married women in India experiences physical, sexual, or emotional violence by their husbands in their lifetime. Despite such atrocious cruelty, many cases go unreported. Prasanna Gettu suggests five ways to foster a culture of respect, equality, accountability, and working towards creating a society where violence is not tolerated.

Imagine harvesting crisp lettuce, crunchy kale, or peppery arugula without stepping out of your flat. Hydroponics turns this into reality, giving you nutritious, homegrown greens in any season. Here are eight simple tips to help you get started.