urban sustainability

The Pali Hill Residents’s Association began with eight women in the 90s who dreamt of transforming their neighbourhood into a cleaner, greener, and safer home. The members recall how they achieved this award-winning transformation over two decades.

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.

With just Rs 2500, PVC pipes and a barrel, Mumbai’s Subhajit Mukherjee built a simple rainwater harvesting system that’s saving thousands of litres in homes, schools, and parks.

In the heart of Chennai, S Veeralakshmi has transformed her rooftop into a 500-plant sanctuary — and helped over 1,500 people do the same. Her mission: to show that everyday climate action can start with a single pot.

Through decades of global research and grassroots work, Dr. Ashish Sharma reveals how India’s fight for clean air is as much about policy and technology as it is about people. From baby strollers in polluted streets to citizen-led sensors and urban policy, this is a call to reimagine our cities — together.

In the hours after every IPL match, when thousands have left the stadium, Bengaluru’s Team Saahas and SWMRT get to work—clearing the waste, sorting recyclables, and showing how citizen-led action can fill systemic gaps.

Dr Priyadarshini Karve transforms agricultural waste into sustainable biochar, boosting soil fertility and reducing carbon emissions for a healthier planet.