The Better India

“This man gave me a new lease of life. I am cured. No more medicines,” said Mandeep. Imagine being the reason someone gets a second chance at life. Read more - https://lnkd.in/d7XbhGRe In partnership with DKMS BMST Foundation India

When Vishal Kumar’s father passed away in 2008, his family’s world turned upside down. Yet, what could have been a story of struggle alone, turned into one of resilience and triumph. A native of Maqsoodpur village in Bihar, Vishal recently secured a remarkable rank of 484 in the UPSC Civil Services Examination 2023 — a testament to his relentless determination. His mother, Reena Devi, became the backbone of the family, rearing goats and buffaloes to make ends meet. Despite financial hardships, Vishal’s hunger for education never wavered. Excelling in his studies, he earned a spot at IIT Kanpur, but even after landing a corporate job at Reliance, his dreams extended far beyond the business world. It was his mentor, Gauri, who played a pivotal role. She not only paid for his education but also provided him with a place to stay during the financial crunch. She was the one who encouraged him to leave his job and fully focus on his UPSC preparation. With the support of his mother and mentor, Vishal overcame every obstacle in his path, proving that even the toughest challenges can lead to extraordinary achievements. #IAS #UPSC #Bihar #Inspiration #SuccessStory #Education #IASVishalKumar [UPSC, Civil Services Examination, Education, Success story, Inspiration, IAS Vishal Kumar]

"A truck accident crushed my leg, but not my spirit." ~ Nitin @amputee_challenger #prostheticleg #disabilityinclusive #staystrong #inspiring #strongspirit #positivity [Nitin, Disability Inclusive, Stay Strong, Inspiring Journey]

Santosh Pachar, a farmer from Sikar district, Rajasthan, had a dream — to grow the finest carrots in the market. A traditional farmer who studied only until Class 8, Santosh set out to revolutionise her farming practices. “From 2002, we cultivated carrots and other traditional crops on our 30 bighas of (about 10 acres) land, using organic farming methods,” says Santosh. “But we could not get the desired result. I noticed the carrots were often thin and crooked.” Determined to find a solution, Santosh attended agricultural fairs to improve her knowledge. Her persistence paid off when she discovered a new pollination technique. She blended 15 ml of honey with 5 ml of ghee and dried them away from direct sunlight. A few harvests later, she found a visible difference. “The carrots were sweeter and shinier. Their size and shape were also improving.” Through further experimentation, Santosh developed a new seed variety, SPL 101. This variety could yield in just 75 days — 15 days earlier than previous seeds — and produced carrots ranging from 1.5 to 2.5 feet in size. Not only were these carrots larger and faster-growing, but they were also more resistant to pests, allowing Santosh to earn significantly higher profits — around Rs 50 lakh annually! Her innovation in carrot farming earned her the prestigious President’s Award, a testament to her dedication to sustainable farming. Read more about her innovative technique: https://buff.ly/3Nnps0x #agriculture #farming #innovation #carrotfarming #organicfarming #rajasthan #sustainableagriculture #smallscalefarming #womeninagriculture [Santosh Pachar, Jhigar Badi village, Rajasthan, carrot cultivation, innovative techniques, pollination method, President's Award]

Did you know that one man’s mission to revive Chennai’s groundwater levels has transformed an entire community? In the 90s, Sekhar Raghavan from IIT Madras noticed wells drying up and turned to ancient water management techniques like recharge wells and pond systems. These time-tested methods have been instrumental in replenishing Chennai’s aquifers and restoring its rainwater harvesting system. Swipe through to see how his dedication has reconnected the city with its sustainable water roots, inspiring lasting change. >> #RainwaterHarvesting #SustainableLiving #ChennaiWaterConservation #GroundwaterRevival #InspiringChange #Environment[Rainwater Harvesting, Chennai Water Conservation, Sustainable Living, Sekhar Raghavan , IIT Madras]

In a quiet village in Punjab’s Bathinda district, 28-year-old Rajwinder Kaur is spearheading an inspiring initiative. At the Bebe Bapu School in Baloh village, elderly men and women, who missed out on education in their youth due to poverty and societal barriers, are now learning to read, write, and solve basic math. What started as a small effort has blossomed into a community-wide movement, with nearly 80 elders attending classes. "I can sign my name and read headlines from the newspaper... I’ve even learned to count to 100," Mahinder Singh, 85, who once herded cattle instead of going to school, told Village Square. For many like him, this newfound knowledge is life-changing, restoring dignity and self-confidence. Rajwinder’s school operates in three shifts, ensuring that all elders, despite their daily chores, can attend. The success of the initiative has drawn attention from nearby villages, proving that it’s never too late to learn. Do you think schools like Bebe Bapu should be opened in more villages to empower seniors through education? #Education #EducationMatters #InspiringInitiative #SeniorEducation #BebeBapuSchool #Empowerment #Punjab [Bebe Bapu School, Empowerment, Punjab, Rajwinder Kaur, Initiative, Senior Education]

Whether in a busy city or a quiet village, vegetable hawkers often struggle to preserve their produce as the sun beats down. But an energy-efficient innovation from IIT Roorkee is changing the game. This air-cooled pushcart uses evaporative cooling to maintain a temperature 10-15°C cooler than the surroundings, with 85% humidity, creating an ideal environment that keeps vegetables fresh for 3-4 days. By extending the shelf life of fruits and vegetables, this cart not only reduces waste but also boosts the hawkers' daily income — especially during the peak summer heat. Designed for small-scale vendors, the mobile unit is lightweight with a transparent display window, making it easy to use while maintaining hygiene and freshness. Its battery-powered cooling system ensures that vendors can continue selling fresh, high-quality produce throughout the day. In field trials, vendors using this cart saw a significant increase in their income as they could offer fresher vegetables for longer periods. With its potential to transform livelihoods and promote sustainability, could this cart be the next big breakthrough for street vendors across India? Share your thoughts below! #SustainableSolutions #IITRoorkeeInnovation #FreshProduce #VegetableVendors #BoostingLivelihoods #FoodPreservation #SupportLocalVendors [Vegetable Vendors, Sustainable, IIT, Vegetable Cart, Fresh Fruits and Vegetables]

Ever worried about your plants while you’re away? Hyderabad’s Gowtham Reddy has the perfect solution! A graduate of NID, Gowtham created Osmos, a self-watering system that uses terracotta and clay to keep plants hydrated for up to 15 days. “This may not seem like a major issue for some, but for gardeners, it’s a constant worry,” Gowtham shares. The idea was born during a semester project at NID, where Gowtham interviewed gardeners to understand their struggles with watering plants when away from home. Inspired by these insights, he decided to create an innovative solution. The planter is made with 60% soil and 40% expanded clay. This porous material allows air and moisture to flow naturally, giving plants the perfect balance of hydration and oxygen. Plus, it’s easy to use and even prevents mosquito breeding, making it not only convenient but also a healthier choice for your home garden. Recognised at the Lexus Design Awards, Gowtham’s invention is changing the way plant lovers care for their gardens, offering peace of mind to thousands. Whether you're a frequent traveller or simply want a low-maintenance option, Osmos has you covered. Want to know more about this smart solution? Click the LINK https://buff.ly/3BGHhVP ! #SustainableLiving #GardeningHacks #Osmos #NID [Sustainable Living, Gardening Hacks, Osmos, Planting, Hyderabad, Gowtham Reddy

Could a smartwatch app save lives during an allergic reaction? Ayisha Fazalul Rahiman, a recent graduate from the College of Architecture in Thiruvananthapuram, has developed 'Allert', a smartwatch app that alerts others when a wearer experiences an allergy attack. Inspired by her own family's experience with allergies, Ayisha realised the need for a more discreet and effective way to communicate these conditions. Unlike traditional allergy bands, which can sometimes lead to stigma, her app offers a discreet and reliable solution. If a wearer experiences an allergic reaction or loses consciousness, the watch will emit a loud alarm and flash bright lights, signalling the need for immediate assistance. The display will clearly indicate that the wearer is having an allergic reaction and provide step-by-step instructions for administering medication or calling emergency services. Allert is still in its design prototype stage, but it has already garnered significant attention and praise at 'The Dot Exhibition 2024' in Thiruvananthapuram. A promising prototype that could change the way we manage allergies! What do you think? Could this app be the next big breakthrough? #Allergy #Innovation#HealthcareRevolution #Thiruvananthapuram #Allergies #HealthTech [Smartwatch app for allergies, life-saving tech, allergy, Ayisha Fazalul Rahiman, healthcare innovation]

“I never imagined I would come this far. There were days when we couldn’t afford to eat vegetables and survived on salt and chapati. We should not view failure as a setback but as a stepping stone to greater achievements,” says Krishna. #KrishnaYadav #Entrepreneurship #Inspiration #WomenEmpowerment #Womeninbusiness #Pickle #Delhi #Uttarpradesh [Shri Krishna Pickles, Krishna Yadav, Women in Business, Uttar Pradesh, Pickle Business, Inspiration]