The Better India

A sister’s pride, multiplied by three! For Dhathrigna Bolla, happiness has come threefold as all three of her elder brothers have secured places in the Andhra Pradesh Police Armed Reserve. After six long years of unemployment and struggle, the brothers completed their training and donned their uniforms together at the same passing-out parade, marking the beginning of a new chapter in their lives. For Dhathrigna, seeing all three of them in uniform was a dream come true. It was also a moment that made every year of struggle, every sacrifice and every bit of her family’s patience feel worth it. Three brothers, one shared milestone and a family’s six-year wait finally coming to an end. What could make a sister prouder? #SiblingLove #AndhraPradeshPolice #FamilyPride #BhaiDooj #ugc [BhaiDooj, three brothers join Andhra Pradesh Police Armed Reserve, Dhathrigna Bolla family story, siblings celebrate police selection together, six years of unemployment and struggle, Andhra Pradesh police passing out parade]

She lost a debit card. What she found instead was a reason to believe in people again. While travelling solo in Kerala, an American tourist accidentally left her debit card inside an ATM. She didn't realise it until she was already five hours away in Thiruvananthapuram, with just 36 hours left before her flight back home. Fortunately, she had exchanged numbers earlier that day with a DHL employee, Krishna while shipping a package to the US. The moment she discovered the card was missing, she called him and asked if he could check the ATM. The card was still there. But getting it back seemed impossible. It was Sunday, courier services were unavailable, and time was running out. Then something remarkable happened. Later that night, Krishna called and asked her to come outside. He had travelled nearly six hours in a tuk-tuk with two friends to personally return her card. A 14-hour round trip. On his day off. No reward. No recognition. Just a simple act of kindness for someone he had met only once. #Kerala #IndiaTravel #IndianHospitality #Kindness [Travel Stories, Kerala, Indian Hospitality]

I survive where the air is thin, the winds are harsh and temperatures plunge. Yet, I bloom in the heart of the Himalayas! Found at heights of 3,700 to 4,600 metres, my delicate purplish-white flowers stay tucked inside layers of yellowish-green, papery bracts that protect them from the mountain cold. I bloom during the monsoon, between July and September, and hold the honour of being Uttarakhand’s state flower. I’m also called the ‘King of Himalayan Flowers’. Can you guess my name? 📷 #Uttarakhand #HimalayanFlowers #Guessthis [State flower of Uttarakhand, Rare Himalayan flowers found at high altitudes]

Do school marks really tell us how much someone can achieve? For Pawan Kumar Chandana, a score of 51 in Mathematics certainly didn't. Years later, the former ISRO scientist would go on to co-found Skyroot Aerospace, India's first space-tech unicorn, and help lead the launch of Vikram-S, the country's first privately developed rocket. Born into a middle-class family in Hyderabad, Chandana wasn't always seen as a future space entrepreneur. While Mathematics was a challenge in school, his preparation for engineering entrance exams sparked a deeper interest in science and technology. That curiosity eventually took him to IIT Kharagpur, where he earned a dual degree in Mechanical Engineering. In 2012, he joined ISRO and spent nearly six years working on major programmes including GSLV Mk-III, the S-200 solid rocket booster, and the Small Satellite Launch Vehicle. But in 2018, he chose to leave the security of a government career and build a private space company alongside fellow engineer Naga Bharath Daka. Today, Skyroot Aerospace has completed a test fire of Raman-1, the thruster that controls Vikram-1's roll, as the Hyderabad startup prepares for the rocket's second orbital mission. @SkyrootA #SpaceTech #Innovation #Entrepreneurship #ISRO #Skyroot [Pawan Kumar Chandana, Skyroot Aerospace, India's first space-tech unicorn, Vikram-S]

They once laughed at his Awadhi accent. Today, millions wait to hear it. Saurabh Pandey grew up in a small village in Uttar Pradesh, where his father worked as a taxi driver in Mumbai, and everyone expected him to become a doctor or an engineer. Instead, he chose fashion. Living in a tiny chawl with his father, he worked 12-hour shifts at a shopping mall to support himself while chasing his dream. Along the way, he was mocked for his Awadhi accent, judged for his roots, and even lost his first job. But he refused to change who he was. Years later, he worked with luxury fashion houses including Gucci and Dior before turning the very accent people once mocked into his biggest strength as a content creator. Today, more than 1.6 million people follow him on Instagram, where millions laugh with him, not at him. #SaurabhPandey #FashionDesigner #ContentCreator [Saurabh Pandey, fashion designer, content creator]

For 35 years, Tiyasha has battled a neurological disorder. Her treatment now costs ₹25,000 every month. With no income and no support, her parents are forced to beg on Kolkata’s streets. Today, even a small contribution can help this family continue Tiyasha’s treatment. Let’s stand by them. To help contact 7044521393 [Father begging for daughter’s treatment, Tiyasha story, help Tiyasha, poor family seeking medical help, heartbreaking real life story]

When her grandson challenged her to get into the pool, Venkata Subbalaxmi didn’t laugh it off. She dived in. That day, Venkata Subbalaxmi, a retired botany professor from Amalapuram, Andhra Pradesh, put on a swimsuit for the first time. What began as a moment of playful bonding turned into a journey of reinvention. Within 6 months, she was swimming laps. Within a year, she had learned butterfly, backstroke, breaststroke, freestyle, and more. Her coach said, “Why not compete?” She said, “Why not?” Today, at 79, she has won 170+ medals—not just in swimming, but also in javelin throw, discus throw, triple jump, long jump, and sprinting. She’s represented India in over 5 international competitions and still trains every single day. “Age is only for the body, not the mind,” she told to ABN, with a spark in her eyes. So the next time you think you’ve missed your chance, think of Subbalaxmi. The pool of life is always open—you just have to take the first step in. #VenkataSubbalaxmi #Inspiring #GrandmaGoals #WomenWhoInspire #secondinnings [81-year-old Andhra swimmer Subbalakshmi]

Deepika Padukone’s graceful twirls in Ghoomar won hearts across India. Behind those iconic moves was a woman who had spent decades keeping Rajasthan’s traditional dance alive. Born in Uttarakhand and raised in Maharashtra, Jyothi D. Tommaar developed a deep connection with Ghoomar as a child. She trained under Padma Shri Rajmata Goverdan Kumari and has dedicated nearly four decades to learning, performing and teaching the traditional dance form. When Sanjay Leela Bhansali approached her for Padmaavat, Jyothi got the opportunity to bring her lifelong passion to the big screen. She trained Deepika in Ghoomar and co-choreographed the iconic song with Kruti Mahesh. Their work went on to win the National Film Award and Filmfare Award for Best Choreography in 2019. Today, through her Gangaur Ghoomar Dance Academy, Jyothi continues to teach and promote Rajasthan’s traditional dance, taking its graceful movements and rich cultural heritage to audiences across the world. #JyothiTommaar #Ghoomar #DeepikaPadukone #Padmaavat #RajasthaniFolkDance #IndianDance [Jyothi D Tommaar Ghoomar choreographer, Deepika Padukone’s Ghoomar, Gangaur Ghoomar Dance Academy]

Japan may have its cherry blossoms, but Meghalaya has a spring spectacle of its own! Every November, Shillong bursts into shades of pink as cherry blossoms bloom across the city, turning its streets, hillsides and landscapes into a sea of flowers. A little closer to home, a whole lot of magic to experience. Have you witnessed Shillong in bloom? #Shillong #Meghalaya #CherryBlossomFestival #NortheastIndia #ExploreIndia #IndiaTravel #CherryBlossomSeason [Shillong cherry blossom season in November, cherry blossoms in Meghalaya, best time to see cherry blossoms in Shillong, India’s own cherry blossom season, Shillong pink flower season, cherry blossom destinations in India, places to see cherry blossoms in Northeast India, Meghalaya tourism in November, Shillong cherry blossom festival, autumn blooms in Meghalaya]

Captured by @sadaa_wildlifephotography, this little bird wears a royal crown, sports a long, slender beak, and flaunts beautiful black-and-white feathers! Every winter, it travels to India, wandering through the wild in search of tiny treats hidden in the soil. Its favourite feature? A charming crest that it can raise and lower whenever it pleases! Have you guessed who this feathered visitor is? Drop your answers in the comments! #IndianWildlife #MigratoryBirds #BirdPhotography #Birdwatching [Bird Photography, Migratory Birds In India, Indian Wildlife Photography, Beautiful Birds With Unique Features, Birdwatching And Nature Photography]

A father in Karnal once made a quiet decision. He chose not to tell his daughter that the sky had limits. Years later, the world would know her as Kalpana Chawla. “As a father, all I did was not to clip her wings. She wanted to fly, I just let her fly,” he said. And she did fly. Beyond cities, beyond countries, beyond Earth itself. Her father remembered a daughter who loved books and airplanes, stayed rooted to her family, and quietly helped educate a young girl without ever speaking about it publicly. There’s something heartbreaking and beautiful about that. A small-town girl looked at the sky and believed she belonged there. And a father believed her before the world ever did. She came, conquered, and flew away… but not before teaching generations that dreams survive when someone refuses to cage them. #KalpanaChawla #WomenInScience #IndianIcons #DreamBig #SpaceLegacy [Kalpana Chawla, Women In STEM, Space Inspiration, Legacy]

What if crop waste could become a resource instead of being burnt? That’s the idea behind Takachar. Co-founded by Vidyut Mohan, the company has developed portable technology that converts agricultural waste into biochar and other valuable products. Today, Takachar is working with around 5,500 farmers to process 9,000 tonnes of agricultural material instead of burning it. This Diwali, HP celebrates the Lights of Change across India. Visit hpcreatorsgarage.com to explore more stories and share an innovation that inspires you. In collaboration with @HPIndia #HPLightsOfChange #HPDiwali #HappyDiwali #HP #Takachar #innovators

She couldn’t stop cancer from taking her sister’s hair. But at 18, she gave away her own to help another cancer patient feel less alone. Kannaki was just 13 when she lost her father to COVID. Three years later, life dealt her another devastating blow. Her elder sister, Rasitha, was diagnosed with stage 4 ovarian cancer. For the next two years, Kannaki became her sister’s caregiver, standing by her through chemotherapy, hospital visits and countless difficult days. Watching Rasitha lose her hair during treatment broke her heart. She couldn’t take away her sister’s pain, so she cut her own hair short to make her feel less alone. But in 2024, she lost Rasitha, too. After losing the two people closest to her, Kannaki struggled with depression for years. Finding her way back to herself was anything but easy. Then, at 18, she decided to shave her head and donate her hair to cancer patients. She knew firsthand what hair loss could mean to someone battling cancer. And if her hair could bring even a little comfort to another patient, she wanted to give it. She couldn’t take away her sister’s suffering. But she chose to make sure someone else didn’t have to face that part of the journey feeling alone. A gesture born from a loss that words could never explain. 📷 #HairDonation #CancerAwareness #CancerSupport [18-year-old girl donates hair to cancer patients, Kannaki’s emotional hair donation story]

We spend days cleaning our homes for Diwali, scrubbing every corner until it shines. But just beyond our doorsteps are streets, roads and public spaces that rarely receive the same care. Perhaps that's where the real test of cleanliness begins. In Kerala, after floods and harsh weather had left road signboards caked in mud and barely visible, Vivekanandan M stepped in. He tirelessly cleaned them, restoring visibility to signs that motorists relied on to navigate the roads safely. He didn't just clean a few signboards. He reminded us that public spaces deserve the same care we give our own homes, and that even the smallest civic responsibility can make a difference to someone's safety. We often think cleanliness is something we do for ourselves. Vivekanandan showed us why it must extend to everyone around us. This post-Diwali, let's take that thought beyond our doorsteps. Because a cleaner home means little if we leave the world outside it neglected. #CivicSense #RoadSafety #KeralaStories #CleanIndia #SMEdit [Kerala man cleaning road signboards after floods, Vivekanandan M Kerala civic responsibility, importance of keeping public spaces clean, road safety and visibility after floods, post Diwali cleanliness beyond our homes]

What happens when young people decide their heritage is worth saving? In Mathura-Vrindavan, the ‘Braj Raj Rakshak’ team is cleaning ancient kunds, Yamuna ghats, and historic sites through hands-on volunteer work. After Chintaharan Mahadev Ghat, Keshi Ghat, Kalideh Ghat and Rajghat, they spent 15 days cleaning Nava Kund, removing algae, sludge, plastic and dirty water. Now, their next challenge is Karauli Ghat, an old Vrindavan landmark with a long architectural history. Because heritage is not just something we inherit. It is something we choose to protect, one site at a time. Credits : brajrajrakshak on IG #BrajRajRakshak #Vrindavan #Mathura #HeritageConservation #GovardhanPuja [Braj Raj Rakshak, Vrindavan heritage conservation, Mathura Vrindavan youth volunteers, Yamuna ghats cleaning, Nava Kund restoration]

In a remote Arunachal Pradesh village, this teacher from Kerala wants to take his students' learning beyond textbooks. Ali Ashqar moved to Karo in Shi-Yomi district to teach at NSCBAV School through an opportunity with Sunbird Trust. He wanted to explore a part of India he knew little about and work in a community where his skills could make a difference. But life here comes with challenges. Landslides can disrupt travel, electricity is unreliable, and poor network connectivity makes everyday tasks difficult. Even basic services can be hours away. Despite these challenges, his students give him a reason to keep going. Their curiosity and eagerness to learn have inspired him to do more than teach. He also trains fellow teachers and works closely with parents and the local community. Now, he hopes to bring smartboards to the school so children can experience interactive lessons and access learning resources beyond their immediate surroundings. You can help make this possible! Your contribution can help bring a smart classroom within reach for these children. Want to be part of this change? You can contribute here: Name: Ali Asqar M Bank: State Bank of India Account Number: 67374460590 IFSC: SBIN0070454 Google Pay: 8129978631 #ArunachalPradesh #Education #RuralEducation [Kerala teacher teaching in remote Arunachal Pradesh, Ali Ashqar teacher in Karo Arunachal Pradesh, Education initiatives in remote villages of Northeast India]

What most people would discard as leftover fabric, over 100 students in Haryana saw as a canvas waiting to be filled. At Budha College in Karnal, Haryana, first-year Fashion Design students gave discarded fabric scraps a whole new purpose through Kinusaiga, a Japanese art form that creates intricate designs without using a single needle or thread. Over seven hours, the students turned leftover campus fabric into colourful flowers, landscapes, animals, abstract patterns and even a Geisha holding a lantern. They first explored colour theory, sketched their designs on thermocol sheets, cut grooves along the outlines and carefully tucked fabric pieces into them. For Reya, a student from Tamil Nadu, it was a chance to create something she was genuinely proud of. Jahnvi from Jaipur enjoyed experimenting with colours and textures, while Laxmi from Odisha initially found the technique difficult but grew more comfortable with practice. Guided by faculty members Harshita Singh and Komal, the exercise brought classroom concepts to life, teaching students about material selection, textures, design and the patience that goes into creating something intricate. And their creations didn't stay confined to the classroom. Instagram reels featuring the students' artwork crossed 3.5 million views, giving these first-year students an audience far beyond their college. From campus innovations to untold stories of changemakers, Better Campus turns every college into a newsroom and every student into a storyteller. To know how you can be featured, amplified, and celebrated across India’s largest positive news platform, visit LINK : thebetterindia.com/.../intro…... #Kinusaiga #Upcycling #SustainableFashion #CreativeLearning #BetterCampus [Japanese Kinusaiga fabric art technique, Haryana fashion students upcycling fabric waste, turning textile scraps into handmade artwork, needle free Japanese fabric art, sustainable fashion design projects in India, Budha College Karnal student artwork, creative reuse of discarded fabric]