Shivani Gupta

On World Suicide Prevention Day, Dr Aninda Sidhana offers a toolkit for families, educators, and peers on how to help a youth in India who is silently battling fears, hopelessness, and pressures.

After losing both parents as a teenager, Rupam Sonali vowed to fulfill her mother’s dream. At 22, she cleared the Jharkhand Public Service Commission exam on her very first attempt without any formal coaching support.

In drought-prone Satara, Maharashtra, farmer Hrushikesh Jayasing Dhane turned adversity into success by making aloe vera products like soaps, shampoos, and juices, building a multi-crore business.

Ashok Rathod founded the Oscar Foundation in Mumbai to keep children away from addiction, dropouts, and child marriage. With its ‘No School, No Football’ rule, the foundation blends education and sport, empowering thousands of children to dream, learn, and lead.

Free YouTube channels are bridging the education gap for rural India. Learn school subjects, prepare for UPSC, NEET, JEE and job exams with easy lessons in Hindi and English.

Kerala-based farmer Brijith Krishnan started Eatery Malbarikas which makes dishes using sprouted cashew nuts. Interestingly, he enhanced the germination potential of cashews and helps fellow cashew farmers as well.

Twelve years ago, Sangeeta Maurya cried at her posting in Raebareli when only 30 of 130 students turned up. Today, through stories, songs, and compassion, she has filled her classrooms with laughter and hope — proving that teaching in villages is more than a job.

Blackouts no longer mean darkness for many Kerala families. Since 2017, startup Energy24by7 has made this possible, powering over 1,000 homes with smart solar that saves up to 50 percent on bills and keeps them running through outages.

Lucknow-based Aishwarya Bhatnagar and Prateek Rastogi run Greenday to promote innovative farming methods and biofortified seeds that benefit both farmers and consumers alike.

Beyond the Onam ‘Sadya’ lies a world of vibrant traditions — from lively dances and colourful masks to folk songs and thrilling boat races. Together, these rituals capture the true spirit of Kerala’s beloved festival.