Shivani Gupta

In celebrating Mother’s Day, we explore the transformative power of hobbies for mothers who dedicate themselves to family care. Discover five inspiring women who redefine motherhood by pursuing passions that spark joy and fulfilment, challenging societal norms, and overcoming personal setbacks.

Inspired by Netaji Bose, Asha Sahay was 17 when she joined INA's Rani of Jhansi regiment and fought for Indian independence. Her great-granddaughter-in-law, Tanvi Srivastava, has documented her incredible story in the book 'The War Diary of Asha-san'.

When health challenges disrupted their lives, sisters Veda and Sudha channelled their science backgrounds to create Earthful, a plant-based nutrition startup. With no business background, they built it from scratch — eventually impressing Shark Tank India judges and earning a Rs 75 lakh investment for their honest, thoughtful approach to wellness.

From Krishna Yadav’s pickle empire to Dr Michelle Harrison’s nurturing home for orphans, these stories remind us of the unyielding strength and creativity that motherhood inspires, affirming that while a mother's path might be challenging, it can also lead to extraordinary accomplishments.

After working as a project scientist in ISRO, Professor Divakar Channappa left city life in Bengaluru and turned to farming. In a bid to grow something unique, he soon became one of the first farmers to start organic date cultivation in Karnataka.

Raised in rural Haryana, Hemant Pareek witnessed his mother’s struggles as a daily wage labourer. Moved by injustice, he set out to become a civil servant after a contractor mocked him, and with community support, he cleared the UPSC exam on his first attempt.

A promise made to his father, a blacksmith, drove Smit Panchal to become an IAS officer at just 22. After two attempts, financial struggles, and setbacks, he achieved AIR 30. This is the incredible story of his determination and the promise that changed his life.

Prepare zero-cost fertilisers and fungicides using cow dung, cow urine, and plant extracts. These natural solutions enhance growth and protect crops without chemicals.

Akshay Agrawal left a career in Singapore to chase his IAS dream. With AIR 43 in his first attempt, he credits discipline and smart study techniques.

From soldering and wiring to battery setup, fault-finding, and installation, over 300 women in remote rural areas have become skilled solar engineers and entrepreneurs. Led by Harsh Tiwari, EMPBindi International empowers women with technical expertise, paving the way for sustainable energy solutions and economic independence.