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Living in a place with limited space, Manoj Ranjan found his passion for gardening constrained. His resolve led him to utilise the small patch outside his home – once a dumping ground for garbage – to turn it into a garden.

From reviving forests to reimagining cities, sustainability in India is being redefined by bold, everyday action. As part of Optum Presents The Better India Showcase, supported by the M3M Foundation, here are five changemakers leading the way.

Behind the grand arches and stone walls of India’s historic forts and caves lie hidden acoustic marvels, secret tunnels, and brilliant design tricks — still waiting to be discovered by curious travellers.

At 21, Bahaar Anand was chasing the corporate dream. By 25, she’s built a thriving art business with clients from Mumbai to New Jersey without an art degree. Her journey from GMAT prep to gallery-worthy paintings is a masterclass in trusting your instinct and building with what you’ve got.

From reviving millets in Maharashtra to restoring mangroves in Raigad and building climate-ready cities in Assam, the ClimateRISE Alliance unites 70 groups to fight climate change across India.

After losing her mother-in-law, Surbhi Yadav transformed sorrow into sustainability—repurposing vintage bottles, lanterns, and fan parts into planters that now host over 300 plants on her terrace in Meerut.

When Atharva Shinde couldn’t find anyone to make a quilt like his grandmother’s, the 16-year-old set out to revive the craft, repurpose over 500 kg of fabric, and empower women along the way.

From battling deadly diseases in remote forests to making cancer care affordable, these five doctors are redefining healthcare in India. Showcasing the nominees for ‘Optum Presents The Better India Showcase’, supported by the M3M Foundation — their innovations, compassion, and determination are taking lifesaving treatment to the country’s most underserved corners.

Cooking with kids can be more than just a bonding activity – it can be a hands-on science class where yeast makes dough rise like magic, sugar crystals grow before your eyes, and milk curdles into creamy dahi. These simple, safe, and tasty kitchen experiments sneak in real science lessons while making snacks and treats the whole family can enjoy.

In search of a balanced lifestyle and a deeper connection with nature, the couple settled in Badnagar, a small village in Madhya Pradesh, and began their journey towards sustainability by establishing a farm called ‘Jeevantika’.