The Better India

From a 16-year-old bride to a powerhouse in Indian manufacturing, Sarla Ahuja’s journey is one of sheer grit, resilience, and vision. Married young, Sarla didn’t settle for a life limited to household chores. Starting as a seamstress at 18, she had to quit to care for her children but kept her dream alive — saving Rs 5,000 over two years to start a small garment unit. Today, her venture, Shahi Exports, has 51 factories across the nation, employing over 1 lakh people, 70% of whom are women. Swipe to read more about Sarla Ahuja’s journey of building Shahi Exports and empowering thousands of women >> #WomenInBusiness #EmpoweredWomen #EntrepreneurJourney #Inspiration #SarlaAhuja #ShahiExports #SocialImpact #IndianEntrepreneur #MadeInIndia [Sarla Ahuja, Shahi Exports, women entrepreneur, Women-led businesses, Textile industry, Social impact]

This IAS officer once lacked the funds for college. But despite tough circumstances, he didn’t lose hope and went on to not just graduate, but also crack UPSC! @revanth_dongre #IAS #chaseyourdreams #hardwork #upsc #nothingisimpossible #Telangana [IAS Dongre Revaiah, UPSC, Chase Your Dreams, Telangana]

Thirty-eight years ago, Sudhamma Chandran, now 69, faced a daunting challenge: widowhood. "I felt lost, like I was standing on the edge of a void," she recalls. But adversity ignited a fire within her. With courage as her only ally, Sudhamma started by running a small tea shop that she set up along with her late husband to support her two children. It was during this time that she crossed paths with Dr. Sugathan, a renowned naturalist who conducted birdwatching expeditions. Inspired by his passion, Sudhamma began to delve deeper into the world of ornithology. Sudhamma credits Dr. R. Sugathan, for sparking her passion for birding and mentoring her in the sanctuary to TNIE: “He is my professor. I learnt about birds and animals by listening to his sessions,” she says with gratitude. Under his guidance, she went from knowing a few basics to identifying over 170 bird species in the sanctuary. In 1983, when Thattekad Bird Sanctuary was established, Sudhamma saw an opportunity to turn her passion into a profession. Despite her lack of formal education and limited English language skills, she fearlessly applied for the position of a guide. But life tested her resilience once again when cancer struck. After enduring 25 radiation and five chemo sessions, she returned to the forest undeterred. Over the years, Sudhamma has become an indispensable part of the sanctuary. She has not only mastered the art of guiding visitors but has also become an expert birdwatcher, identifying over 165 species within the sanctuary. “This is my temple; my duty is my prayer,” she says with pride. Today, Sudhamma runs the Jungle Bird Homestay with her son, continues to guide visitors, and rides a motorbike with as much passion as she brings to her work. #SudhammaChandran #ThattekadBirdSanctuary #IndianWildlife #Inspiration #ForestGuide #BirdWatcher #KeralaTourism [Sudhamma Chandran, Thattekad Bird Sanctuary, wildlife guide, Birdwatcher, Inspiration, Kerala]

Abhishek Reddy aka ‘Silly Sensei’ left a Rs 1.5 crore job to start farming, and now his quirky farm videos are winning hearts on the internet! Credits : @silly.sensei #farming #agriprenuer #FarmingJourney #OrganicFarming #Inspiring #FarmLife #SustainableLiving #AgricultureInnovation [Abhishek Reddy, Farming Journey, Organic Farming, Sustainable Living]

In an era when women were often encouraged to prioritise marriage over education, Dr Janaki Ammal chose science, defying societal expectations, and went on to transform sugarcane farming in India. 👩🔬🌾 As one of the first Indian women to earn a doctorate in botany, she created the sweetest varieties suited for India’s climate, sweetening millions of lives. Swipe to know more about her legacy. >> Want to read in detail about her inspiring story: https://lnkd.in/dhq3mJ3f #DrJanakiAmmal #WomenInScience #Botany #IndianAgriculture #sugarcane [Dr. Janaki Ammal, Women in Science, Indian Botanist, Sugarcane Revolution, Padma Shri]

Anand Mahindra is full of praise for a group of IIT Delhi graduates who designed a compact home gym tailored for small spaces. Recently, he took to X to share a video by The Better India highlighting this innovative solution. In his words, "Home gym - created by 4 IIT grads. No rocket science here. But a clever convergence of mechanics & physical therapy principles to design a product that has global potential. In small apartments & even in Business Hotel rooms! Bravo!" Would you consider having a compact gym like this in your home? Drop your thoughts in the comments! #InnovationInIndia #IITDelhi #HomeGym #AnandMahindra #SmartSolutions #UrbanLiving #InspiringIndia [IIT Delhi, Anand Mahindra, Home Gym, Aroleap X, Innovation, AI Technology, Graduates]

Ever wondered what’s really in your food? With #TruthIn, just scan the barcode and get a clear health rating in seconds. No more guesswork! #startup #app #foodapp #foodlabels #foodchoices #Foodpharmer #ConsumerAwareness [Startup, Food Labels, Food App, Label Readings, Consumer Awareness]

Ever thought about growing mushrooms? One farmer did, and it changed his life! See how he turned challenges into a successful venture. #mushroomfarming #innovation #AgriculturalInnovation #venture #successstory #Odisha [Mushroom Farming, Innovation in agriculture, Odisha, Success Story]

Is your paneer really made of milk? Here’s how you can test for analogue paneer at home! #Fakepaneer #analoguepaneer #purefood #testpurity #consumerawareness #stayalert #Diwali #festivaltime [Fake Paneer, analogue paneer, Consumer Awareness, Diwali, Festival Time]

“My journey was never easy, and I want to make it smoother for other girls who have dreams like mine,” says Aditi Chauhan. India’s No. 1 woman goalkeeper is making headlines not just for her outstanding performances on the field, but also for her legacy beyond the pitch. With 54 caps for India and multiple titles, including three SAFF Women’s Championships, Aditi has become a cornerstone of Indian women’s football. Her breakthrough came during her time with West Ham Ladies in England, where she showcased her talent internationally, navigating the challenges of professional sports abroad without an agent or manager. An ACL injury in 2018 forced her to return to India for recovery, igniting her determination to give back to the sport. She founded the She Kicks Academy in Delhi, aimed at creating a professional environment for young, underprivileged girls passionate about football. Aditi’s mission is to provide 30 talented girls from low-income families with opportunities to train, grow, and compete in a sport that transformed her own life. Through her academy and foundation, Aditi is creating a platform where these girls not only play but thrive, raising the bar for women’s football in India. “It’s about giving these girls the chance I never had — a chance to play the game, compete, and represent their country,” she shares. Click the link https://buff.ly/48q1wmV to learn more about Aditi’s inspiring mission to transform Indian women’s football. #AditiChauhan #WomenInFootball #SheKicksAcademy #InspiringIndia #EmpowermentThroughSport #FootballJourney #BreakingBarriers #IndianSports [Aditi Chauhan, She Kicks Academy, SAFF Women’s Championships, Woman Goalkeeper, Football Academy, Underprivileged Girls]