Lede

Sonali Khan is the managing director of Sesame Workshop India, whose most famous programme Galli Galli Sim Sim is watched by millions of children across the country. Here’s why she decided to quit a thriving journalism career to work in women and child development.

Dr Sunil Kumar Hebbi from Bengaluru is a messiah for those who cannot afford quality health care. For over a decade he has organised 800 medical camps and treated 1.2 lakh patients from his savings.

Agritourism is a concept made popular in India by Pandurang Taware. The farmers associated with his venture say it has given a boost to their regular income.

Chef Davinder Kumar's book ‘Second Meals’ comprises 150 food delicious recipes made from vegetable scraps, fruit peels, seeds, roots, stems and more.

Dr Sandra Desa Souza, the first Indian doctor to perform cochlear implant surgery, has performed surgery on underprivileged children with hearing impairments, winning a place in the Limca Book of World Records and a Padma Shri for her endeavours.

Chinnathambi from Tiruchi, Tamil Nadu, makes 600-800 dosas daily. He also serves idli, parotta, uttapams and omelettes with free side dishes up till midnight.

Madhulika Choudhary, through her NGO Dhruvansh, restored the choking Ibrahim Cheruvu wetland in Hyderabad to its days of glory

In just under five years, Gurgaon-based Dr Anubha Mahajan has helped 1,600 chronic pain patients with her organisation Chronic Pain India.

Sanjeeta KK from Chennai is on a mission to reinvent ancient grains. Her food brand OGMO Foods offers ready-to-eat breakfast and snack mixes made out of minor millets and mappillai samba red rice.

Vadilal, an ice cream company started by Vadilal Gandhi in 1907 Gujarat, is now run by the fifth generation and continues to have a stronghold in India and 45 other countries.