Living the Constitution: Everyday Heroes Restoring Sex Ratios, Fighting Caste Bias & More

India's Constitution, a testament to our nation's commitment to justice, equality, and liberty, is often brought to life by some extraordinary individuals who embody its principles. From championing social justice to protecting the rights of the marginalised, their stories are a testament to the power of individual action and the enduring spirit of the Constitution.

Sanjeev Kumar Sanjeev Kumar, a former model from Delhi, had come to Bihar to fulfill family duties when he saw the Dom community fighting stray dogs for leftovers after a bhog (feast). Upon further questioning, he realised that these people were deemed untouchables by his immediate society.

Deeply moved, Sanjeev has since dedicated himself to the emancipation of the Dom community, to ensure they are afforded the same dignity and rights as anyone else. To read the full story. click here.

Nipun Malhotra Even after facing multiple job rejections due to being born with arthrogryposis, Nipun Malhotra refused to be deterred. He founded the Nipman Foundation in 2012 to make workplaces accessible for people with disabilities. Nipun also took his fight to the Delhi High Court, filing a PIL for the official recognition of Indian Sign Language (ISL) for the hearing impaired.

Though dismissed, his plea sparked a public debate on inclusion. This eventually led to significant collaborations with NH7 Weekender and the Jaipur Literature Festival along with the creation of Wheels for Life platform. To read the full story. click here.

Sukhsohit Singh Sukhsohit Singh’s journey took a heartbreaking turn in 2011 when his longstanding dream to enter the civil services was squashed. A medical board had declared him “unfit for all services” due to his rare blood disorder.

After a year of struggles, heartache, and intervention from the highest authorities, including then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Sukhsohit became the first person with Thalassemia Major to join the civil services. To read the full story, click here.

Dr Harshindar Kaur Dr Harshindar Kaur, a child specialist, was horrified after discovering a newborn girl killed by stray dogs in a Punjab-Haryana border village. This event led her to tackle female foeticide by educating villagers about reproduction using simple techniques.

Her work in Patiala raised the sex ratio from 845 girls per 1000 boys to 1013 girls per 1000 boys in five years. Kaur's advocacy reached international platforms, and she was honored as one of India's 100 women achievers in 2016. To read the full story, click here.

Gulabo Sapera Gulabo Sapera, born Dhanvati was buried alive as an infant in Rajasthan's Kotda village just because she was born a girl. She was miraculously saved, but her father’s fight against the village’s practice of female infanticide, led to the family’s ostracization.

Undeterred, Gulabo went on to become one of the most famous Kalbeliya artists in the world. By 2016, her journey from adversity to fame as a Kalbelia dancer earned her the Padma Shri for her contribution to India's folk dance culture. To read the full story, click here.

Neeraj Murmu Neeraj Murmu grew up in Giridih's Duliyakaram village, where at just nine years of age, he began working in mica mines, a common practice in his community. His life changed when he was rescued, and inspired by Nobel laureate Kailash Satyarthi’s work in social reform for children.

Neeraj founded a school called "Kailash Satyarthi," in 2018 educating hundreds of children and rescuing them from child labour. “Education pulled me out of the mines, and I want to help others do the same,” he says. To read the full story, click here.

Rambhao Ingole For over 30 years, social activist Rambhao Ingole has rescued children of sex workers in Nagpur. After witnessing their abuse, he founded Amrapali Utkarsh Sangh to rehabilitate them. Despite facing family rejection and community ostracism, Ingole kept moving forward.

In 2007, he established a residential school, helping hundreds of children, many of whom have gone on to become teachers and engineers. To read the full story, click here.

Amarjit Singh Chahal Amarjit Singh Chahal, a teacher from Mansa, Punjab digitising four schools with a smart model. Believing that education is every child’s fundamental right, he began modernising the schools with his own funds and inspired local teachers, parents, and panchayats to get involved.

His creative approach, such as painting educational symbols on walls and encouraging student participation, led to higher enrollment and a renewed sense of community ownership. To read the full story, click here.

Rohit Kumar "Har Haath Mein Kalam Pathshala" was started on September 5, 2018, by Police Constable Rohit Kumar in Unnao, Uttar Pradesh, after he saw children begging at Korari station. Motivated to provide education, he began teaching underprivileged children.

The initiative, now run by the Prakash Punj Foundation, aims to educate and develop slum children who are often involved in child labour or begging. To read the full story, click here.

Viji Penkoottu In Kozhikode's SM Street, a local feminist movement was born when P Viji noticed the harsh working conditions of saleswomen who were denied basic rights like using the restroom or sitting down during long hours. In 2009, Viji founded Penkoottu, a women’s trade union, to address these issues.

After nearly a decade of advocacy, her efforts led to the Kerala government amending the Shop and Commercial Establishments Act in 2018, ensuring that all shops in the state must provide toilets and seating for staff. To read the full story, click here.

[{"selector":"#anim-d17bef9d-1645-4a26-abf9-37372a5ab682 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(2.447114900661534%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}]