Changemakers

Growing up in classrooms not built for Deaf learners, Shraddha Agarwal knows the cost of language deprivation. With SignSetu, she’s reimagining literacy through Indian Sign Language — making learning intuitive, visual, and genuinely inclusive.

After years of documenting farmers’ struggles, M J Prabu made a decision that changed his life. He left the newsroom, returned to his village, and began rebuilding what farming had slowly lost: native seeds, shared knowledge, and farmer trust.

Developed by a Mumbai startup, WALK uses science-backed sensory cues to reduce freezing of gait and restore mobility for people living with Parkinson’s disease.

You and I might not be in a position to start a revolution. But we can volunteer, call out injustice, and devote time to making the world a better place, right? Here’s how I plan to start.

It began with noticing what others often walk past. A need on a pavement, a long wait outside a hospital, a life left behind. These three Indians chose to act, and their everyday choices went on to touch many lives.

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.

Over the past year, Koodugal Nest in Chennai has changed urban conservation, distributing nest boxes, boosting sparrow populations, and engaging communities and schools. Here is how this initiative is making sparrows a familiar sight again.

In 2025, India made strides in empowering millions, from farmers to women and youth. Key changes in digital health, social protection, and skill development have had a profound impact. 42 million farmers, 32 million women, and 116,000 youth gained stability, support, and new opportunities, driving India’s progress.

From caring for animals and preserving mango diversity to healthcare on wheels and sustainable bricks, discover the changemakers whose work quietly transformed India.

When Vihaan Agarwal’s asthma worsened, he and his brother Nav began connecting the dots between waste burning and the air they breathed. They started by segregating waste at home, a step that grew into 'OneStepGreener', now helping cities manage waste better.