Uttar Pradesh

“In India, we have this notion that cleaning is the job of a particular person. This impression must go,” said Ajay Shankar Pandey, Ghaziabad DM. #IAS #Inspiration

"For the last 20 years. I've seen her serving the poor. She runs a free ambulance, gives them food & medicines, and conducts their final rites, spending money from her own pocket. We call her 'Iron Lady' because she's doing such a tough job,” says Dr Vipin Kaushal of PGIMER, Chandigarh. #Respect

How did a single person’s efforts lead to a forest spanning five acres in Bundelkhand, a region notorious for its arid geography, sparse rainfall, and decade-long droughts?

The actions that led to the cleaning of the Kathina river give ample proof - religion need not come in the way of unity, and the common good.

What's awesome is that this unique rehab has a 11-foot deep hydrotherapy jumbo pool—equipped with 21 high-pressure jet sprays—that gives a massage to the elephants’ feet and body!

Within six months of volunteering at the NGO, Rachna stopped taking her depression pills, as she felt better both physically and emotionally.

"We had never stepped out of our homes alone and so, when I announced that I am going to be a Jal Saheli, people scoffed that Geeta alone cannot do anything. They were right, I could not do anything alone. So I gathered more women of my village to join in this mission."

The land lay barren save for the invasive Vilayati Keekar that prevented native trees from growing. Thanks to Vijay's efforts, the range is today a self-sufficient ecosystem of over 200 plant species that needs no human intervention!

Today, Sakshi is a social entrepreneur and co-founder of Bucket List, a city-based NGO that has impacted the lives of more than 2000 kids in the last three years.

“The issues we raise affect not just women, but men as well. And, that is why our band has so many male supporters. At the end of the day, gender equality is not shifting oppression from one to the other. It is about eliminating it altogether.”