changemaker

Latha Srinivasan walked into a Coimbatore training ground carrying a dream she had pushed aside for years. What happened after her first session set off a journey she hadn’t imagined.

Millions go hungry while India wastes tonnes of food daily. Discover these local initiatives, from the Robin Hood Army to Food ATMs and the Mumbai Dabbawalas, that are redirecting surplus food to those in need.

Growing up visiting villages in Rajasthan, 17-year-old Sharanya Mehta witnessed first-hand the struggles of farmers coping with water scarcity. As part of The Better India’s Children’s Day series, she writes a Letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, sharing her journey and vision for sustainable water management.

After being diagnosed with breast cancer at 29, Bengaluru Dr Samrakshini Golipelly chose courage over fear. Today, she supports others facing genetic risk and advocates for early detection and fertility awareness.

From metros to small towns, thousands of women log in every week to access free workshops, mentorship, and resources through 46 XX Foundation.

In Haralahalli, Karnataka, 75-year-old Anke Gowda has spent over five decades building Pustaka Mane, a library of nearly 20 lakh books. Open to all, it houses rare manuscripts, multilingual dictionaries, and treasures that celebrate India’s love for reading.

From rural healthcare to groundwater conservation, these innovations prove how homegrown tech can deliver affordable, scalable solutions to India’s toughest challenges.

In Maharashtra’s Vidarbha, fly ash had turned fertile lands into grey, lifeless zones. But one scientist is leading a revolution using bamboo and eco-rejuvenation science to bring them back to life. This green transformation is not just saving the soil—it’s creating clean air, jobs, and fresh hope.

Shocked by a road accident victim bleeding to death, Leo Mavely invented Axiostat — a bandage made from shellfish that halts bleeding in minutes.

Advocate Varsha Deshpande has spent three decades fearlessly fighting female foeticide and gender violence, leading sting operations that brought notorious doctors to justice.