Bihar

Naseema Khatoon, born and raised in Chaturbhuj Sthan, a red-light district in Muzaffarpur, Bihar, experienced the harsh stigma faced by sex workers and their children first-hand. Determined to create change, she founded Jugnu in 2004, a publication that amplifies the voices of the marginalised. The first edition, a heartfelt four-page photocopy, was made with local support.

Mushroom farming expert Pushpa Jha from Darbhanga, Bihar invested only Rs 500 and started growing mushrooms in her own house using unique methods.

After an earthquake in Nepal and Northern Bihar, a British officer discovered Mithila art amidst the ruins and, captivated by its beauty, introduced the art form to the world.

Viral trends may capture our attention, but it's the enduring impact of individuals and organisations that truly shapes our world. While Zomato’s Rs 20 lakh Chief of Staff role is going viral with 10,000 applicants, did you know that Dr Kalpana Sankar, a nuclear physicist, has helped create 1.5 million.

Deepika’s rise from a small town in Haryana to leading India’s triumph at the 2024 Women’s Asian Champions Trophy tells a story of determination.

Dr Manoj Kumar’s innovative farming techniques and research are changing makhana cultivation in Bihar for good. By introducing flood-resistant methods, shallow water farming, and high-yielding lotus seed varieties, he’s helping farmers increase their incomes and meet growing global demand for this superfood.

Transgender rights in Bihar received a major boost with the state government appointing Manvi Madhu Kashyap, Ronit Jha, and Bunty Kumar as the first transgender sub-inspectors in the police force.

Inspired by his struggles to find affordable second-hand books, Muzaffarpur-based Akshay Kashyap co-founded Kitabwalah with his friend Srijan Kumar. They have sold over 6,000 books making Rs 8 lakh within two years, and have secured funding under the Bihar Startup Policy 2022.

Sumati Jalan runs Bihart, a zero waste clothing brand that is her bid to challenge the stereotypes associated with her home state, Bihar. With this, she aims to revive the region’s lesser known arts.

Hailing from Meerut, 32-year-old Dolly, an MBA graduate, became the sarpanch of the gram panchayat in Bihar’s Shadipur village. While challenging patriarchy and orthodox work culture she also digitised the village’s panchayat system.