Changemakers

A pocket-sized soil testing device, NutriSens is giving farmers real-time insights, cutting fertiliser misuse, empowering rural women entrepreneurs, and putting scientific soil health data in every farmer’s hands.

With a bicycle, a loyal dog, and an unshakable dream, Sudharshan Sanchari is turning every kilometre into hope for the children of his village.

From working at ISRO to leading a sustainability movement, ex-scientist Pankti Pandey’s ‘ZeroWasteAdda’ is helping 4 lakh Indians make small, mindful changes — from composting and reusing to living more sustainably at home.

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.

Online abuse left two women facing fake profiles, morphed images and over a hundred abusive notifications at a time. Their stories show what it feels like to be targeted, why silence deepens the hurt, and how speaking to someone can become the first step toward healing.

Pooja Bangad, co-founder of SheWork, overcame family expectations to change women’s roles in tech. SheWork helps women return to the tech industry after breaks, fights for equal opportunities, and challenges the gender bias that holds women back, empowering them to grow and succeed in their careers.

Priyatama Sharma, a librarian in Bhopal, grew up in a society where girls were considered a burden. She was sexually abused from the ages of 5 to 15. After leaving her family and starting to work, Priyatama realised the importance of education and earned a master's degree. She is speaking up to help people who endured abuse like her.

BookWater, founded by Bharath and Balachander, uses QR codes and IoT sensors to track water quality, reuse cycles, and plastic safety in Chennai’s water cans. With 3000 users and 50000 cans monitored monthly, the startup is improving public health while promoting recycling and sustainable water delivery.

After a frightening incident seven years ago, Bengaluru-based artist Indu Antony began working with Anganwadi women, local residents and community groups to fix street lights, reopen unsafe lanes and create spaces where women can rest, gather and feel safe in their own neighbourhoods.

When Sundeep Talwar met a young boy who lost his mobility in an accident, he refused to stop at sympathy. His idea sparked NeoBolt — a motorised wheelchair that’s now helping over 7,000 people across India move freely, earn a living, and live with dignity.