Maharashtra

Real life heroes are not born, they are made by their own grit and determination. Giving up on a comfortable life for life in a village with hardly any basic resources is by no means an easy decision. But this man had it in him to embark on such a journey. Sourabh Potdar is a real life hero in a true sense. This article talks about his journey which began as an SBI fellow and terminated as a change-maker.

A 9-year old girl who got married to an obsessed widower thrice her age and became India's first lady doctor. A husband who supported her education against her parent's will, the unsteady health and an untimely death - Anandi's story is all about going against the flow.

The amazing sights and sounds of this unique tribal village left Gangadharan Menon mesmerized and unwilling to leave. Fortunately, he left with a hopeful heart. Find out why you should head to this different world where time stands still, even though it is so close to our own chaotic world.

The incredible story of how a man from Beed and his NGO took on dried lakes and water bodies in drought-prone districts of Maharashtra and revived them. The scale of operations and the superlative management of resources for bringing to life 85 water bodies in a span of 3 months is straight out of an MBA case study!

Caught in between the Malguzaars (the local Zamindars or landlords) and the state government, the Malguzari tanks were left to die many years ago. Read how a lone Malguzaar spearheaded their revival in 2008.

Read how one man's vision and perseverance led to the creation on India's only man-made sanctuary. It took 15 years of convincing villagers and enlisting their participation, but the beautiful forest is now replete with fauna and flora. Although the man is no longer among us, his legacy still exists for all to see, appreciate and enjoy. Truly, a life well spent!

Kagad Kach Patra Kashtakari Panchayat (KKPKP), a union of scrap collectors started by Dr Baba Adhav in 1993, has now become a force much larger than just a collection of waste pickers, mostly women. It serves as a platform for voicing grievances and as a medium for pushing developmental programmes to this highly marginalised segment of the society. From financial support, education and insurance facilities to intangibles like dignity of labour and quality of life, read how a collective can change lives.

Savitribai Phule may not be as famous as Mahatma Gandhi or Swami Vivekananda. But her impact on the liberation of the Indian woman has been no less spectacular or significant. One of the earliest crusaders of education for girls, and dignity for the most vulnerable sections of society - dalits, women and widows, Savitribai broke all the traditional shackles of 19th century India to herald a new age of thinking. She can be legitimately hailed as the mother of Indian Feminism. Read about her remarkable life of courage and initiative.

Kaas is Maharashtra’s own Valley of Flowers. But unlike its namesake in the Himalayas which is accessible only after an arduous trek, Kaas is at an easily motorable distance from Mumbai and other places. It is this easy accessibility that’s the bane of Kaas. And it is in this context that the conservation efforts of a few dedicated people become extremely significant.

In March-April 2013, Maharashtra suffered from what was probably the worst drought in 40 years. The people were once again at the receiving end of the wrath of Nature, as it took a heavy toll on the lives of the people on the parched lands. It also led to the formation of a youth organization dedicated to helping the victims and finding long-term solutions. This is what began as the Maharashtra Drought Relief Project, and is now called Yuva Foundation.