Changemakers

Started by Dr Kiran Bedi with the prize money of the Ramon Magsaysay Award (1994), the India Vision Foundation is encouraging inmates and ex-convicts to make the right choices.

A 71-year-old retired officer in Ahmedabad is changing lives by offering interest-free loans to street vendors, small business owners, and struggling families, proving impact has no age limit.

The brainchild of Sudha Iyengar, Siddhi Creations was a venture to keep young children engaged fruitfully and joyfully during summer vacations while also picking up on essential life skills.

In Odisha’s Ganjam district, the Nirikhyana initiative, led by Dibyajyoti Parida, provides free ultrasound scans to pregnant women, bridging healthcare gaps and reducing maternal and neonatal deaths.

Sai Vignesh started helping animals at a very young age, thanks to his grandfather. Later, he started Almighty Animal Care Trust in Tiruvallur, Tamil Nadu to provide a safe haven for injured animals.

In an effort to ensure the next generation of young men is gender-sensitive, Equal Community Foundation heads to the slums of Pune where they educate boys on gender equitable behaviours.

From exposing the truth behind food labels to making sustainability a household habit — these changemakers are using their platforms to drive awareness and action.

Shot during a robbery, Rajinder Johar was left paralysed but went on to build Family of Disabled, an organisation empowering thousands — now crafting for the Adani wedding.

PV Satheesh, the founder of Deccan Development Society, played a pivotal role in improving the livelihoods of thousands of women largely from the Dalit community across 75 villages in Telangana.

Nagpur born Ashish Chopra recalls how he came out as gay to his brother Vishesh, and how their bond has only grown stronger over the years.