The Better India

In a time when rising sexual offences against women and children, especially girls, are a growing concern, a traffic police subedar in Madhya Pradesh’s Mandla district is stepping up to make a difference. Yogesh Singh Rajput, with his innovative approach, is educating schoolchildren about good and bad touch — using a robotic doll! For the past month, Yogesh has been visiting schools with a 2.5 ft mannequin-turned-robotic doll. This doll, equipped with voice responses, is designed to teach students about safe and unsafe physical interactions. When touched, the robotic doll responds by delivering pre-recorded messages such as "Bad touch, yahan mat chhuo" (bad touch, don't touch here) and "Good touch, thank you." This empowers children to understand their boundaries and protest against inappropriate behaviour. The idea for this innovative approach came from Rajput's own daughter, Anvi, a Class 5 student. Inspired by her father's dedication to public service, she suggested creating a tool to educate children about sexual abuse. Remarkably, they transformed an old mannequin into a high-tech teaching aid — crafted mainly from recycled materials and completed in just 15 days at a cost of under Rs 2,000. Rajput's sessions not only educate children but also empower them to speak up against abuse. He encourages them to report any incidents to their teachers immediately, ensuring prompt action against offenders and preventing future harm. Despite his demanding duties as a traffic cop, Yogesh has been devoting his free time to this initiative, holding sessions across schools and bringing a powerful message to young minds. #ChildSafety #ChildAbuse #Innovation #EmpoweringChildren #MadhyaPradesh #MadhyaPradeshPolice #GoodTouchBadTouch #ChildSexualAbuse [child safety, child abuse prevention, Innovation, Technology, Madhya Pradesh Police, Yogesh Singh Rajput]

What does it truly mean to respect someone’s boundaries? Consent isn’t just a word—it’s a concept that can transform relationships and foster mutual respect. In this video, Dr Agni Kumar Bose and Dr Siddharth Warrier use relatable, everyday examples to unpack the importance of consent. From something as simple as offering a cup of tea to navigating life’s bigger decisions, they highlight how consent is rooted in understanding, communication, and respect. At the core of our campaign #BetaPadhaoDeshJagao is a belief that raising boys to be kind, empathetic, and respectful men begins at home. Imagine a generation of men who challenge stereotypes, respect everyone, and stand up for what’s right. This vision starts with us, as parents, mentors, and society. Download our guide 'Raising Boys Right' — a practical, age-appropriate framework to empower young boys with the values, language, and tools needed to champion equality. https://lnkd.in/dFQ3Ps2h Equal Community Foundation #RaisingBoysRight #TheBetterIndia #BetaPadhaoDeshJagao #consent #respect #healthyrelationships #MenForChange #EducateForChange [Raising Boys Right, The Better India, Men’s role in change, Respect and equality, Social change, healthy relationships, Educating the next generation, consent culture]

Imagine the open sea, a fast attack craft slicing through the waves, and at its helm — a trailblazing woman rewriting history. Commander Prerna Deosthalee has etched her name in history as the first woman to command an Indian Navy warship. Her appointment as the commanding officer of INS Trinkat in December 2023 marked a significant milestone for the Indian Navy. Commander Deosthalee’s fascination with the Navy began during her childhood in Colaba, South Mumbai, where she grew up near the sea, surrounded by naval operations. Inspired by her younger brother’s entry into the Navy and her experiences as an NCC naval cadet, her passion for maritime life grew stronger. Despite initial setbacks — like her sailboat capsizing three times during her first NCC sailing camp in Goa — she persisted, eventually winning gold at a sailing competition in Chilka Lake, Odisha. Her turning point came during her MA in Psychology studies in Kolhapur. When the Indian Navy opened the observer position to women for the first time, her father encouraged her to seize the opportunity. Motivated by his words, she passed the entrance exam and was commissioned in 2009. Since then, Commander Deosthalee has blazed a trail of excellence. Early in her career, she trained as an observer on the Tupolev TU maritime reconnaissance aircraft. In 2012, she received the Indian Navy Videsh Seva Medal for her role in an operation that responded to a Somali pirate attack on a Chinese merchant ship. Now at the helm of INS Trinkat, she leads an all-male crew with pride and confidence. “The services are gender-neutral,” she told The Week. “Women are already enrolled for combat duties such as fighter pilots and air operations officers. I was trained and tasked equally as my male counterparts.” This #NavyDay her achievements stand as an inspiration to young women aspiring to break barriers in service to the nation. #IndianNavy #Trailblazer #BreakingBarriers #CommanderPrernaDeosthalee #INSTrinkat #WomenInDefence #NavyDay #Inspiration #IndianArmedForces [Indian Navy, Women in the Armed Forces, Commander Prerna Deosthalee, INS Trinkat, Navy Day 2024]

“The women in our region do not seek jobs and are often confined to the boundaries of their homes. But mushroom farming makes them entrepreneurs and develops their personality,” Pushpa says. #mushroomfarming #womenentrepreneurs #womeninbusiness #bihar #darbhanga [Mushroom Farming, Women Entrepreneur, Bihar, Darbhanga, Pushpa Jha] https://lnkd.in/d2XnGw2D

“Gardening is therapeutic for me. It healed and grounded me, and made me a better mother,” shares Sushma Reddy. Sushma, an accomplished software engineer from Bengaluru, faced a life-altering challenge when her son was diagnosed with ADHD at just four years old. Forced to prioritise his well-being, she left her successful career behind. The initial shock and helplessness were overwhelming. Depression set in, and she lost interest in everything. A doctor's advice – ‘pick up a hobby’ – became her lifeline. Gardening emerged as the perfect solution. It offered a way to connect with nature, provide fresh, organic food for her son, and create a fun activity. Inspired by her farmer relatives, she started small with a humble money plant in 2018. Her passion soon blossomed from indoor plants to a thriving rooftop oasis on her rented apartment's 1,000-square-foot terrace. Today, she boasts over 400,000 followers on her Instagram and has over 70 varieties of fruits and vegetables on her rooftop garden, including mango and dragon fruit – all with the goal of encouraging her son to embrace healthy eating. “I am very happy today as I found my passion in gardening. It gives me immense satisfaction,” she adds. Read more about her inspiring story: https://buff.ly/3X2csnc #ADHDawareness #gardeningtherapy #urbangardening #rooftopgardening #organicgardening [ADHD, working mom, mental health, urban gardening, rooftop garden, Sushma Reddy, Bengaluru]

Meet Dr Panjit Basumatary, a wildlife warrior from Kokrajhar, Assam, whose extraordinary work with animals has earned him global recognition. He was recently honored with the prestigious Animal Welfare Field Veterinary Award at the 24th International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) Animal Action Awards in London. Over the past 14 years with the Wildlife Trust of India (WTI), Dr Basumatary has been part of countless rescues, rehabilitations, and releases of injured and distressed animals. "It is our responsibility as humans to protect and care for animals by understanding their needs, respecting their habitats, and fostering a harmonious world for all living beings," Dr Basumatary shared with WTI. A true wildlife hero, he has cared for over 3,000 animals across 250 species, from majestic mammals to delicate reptiles and birds. One of his most remarkable achievements was hand-raising 26 orphaned Greater One-horned Rhino calves at the Centre for Wildlife Rehabilitation and Conservation (CWRC) in Kaziranga, many of which now roam free in the wild. Currently, Dr Basumatary leads the Community-Based Research Centre (CBRC), India’s only facility dedicated to rehabilitating orphaned Asiatic black bear cubs. Since its establishment in 2002, the centre has successfully released over 60 bear cubs back into their natural habitat in Arunachal Pradesh’s Pakke Tiger Reserve. #wildlife #conservation #animalwelfare #veterinary #IFAW #wildliferescuecenter #Assam [Dr. Panjit Basumatary, Wildlife Conservation, Animal welfare, Veterinarian, Wildlife rescue and rehabilitation, Assam, International Fund for Animal Welfare, CBRC]

Imagine toiling under the scorching sun or trudging through muddy fields, day in and day out. For countless farmers, this is their reality. But what if a simple pair of shoes could change their lives? Three young innovators from the NID, Nakul Lathkar, Vidyadhar Bhandare, and santosh kocherlakota, saw this very need and took action. They spent months living alongside farmers in the harsh conditions of Maharashtra, understanding their challenges firsthand. “While working under the hot sun, or in a sloshy field, all the farmers used to walk barefoot. This not only caused deep cracks in their feet but also made them prone to fungal infections and snake bites,” says Santosh. Determined to find a solution, they tested 15 natural fibres before discovering Deccani wool, traditionally used for “magic blankets” known to adapt to weather conditions. This wool became the foundation of Earthen Tunes, a Hyderabad-based social enterprise launched in 2019 to craft sustainable, water-resistant shoes for farmers. These mud-proof, sunlight-resistant shoes are durable, antimicrobial, and require minimal maintenance. Earthen Tunes sources wool from pastoralists in the Deccan, Himachal Pradesh, and Kutch, supporting livelihoods and preserving a 1,500-year-old craft. Through partnerships with NGOs and corporates and their ‘Buy a Pair, Give a Pair’ initiative, they’ve already provided over 6,000 farmers with protective footwear. Read more about this innovative shoe that's changing the lives of farmers : https://buff.ly/3UGnlcl Earthen Tunes Designs #farmerfootwear #socialimpact #DeccaniWool #empoweringfarmers #EarthenTunes [farmer footwear, Deccani wool, community impact, empowering farmers, innovation]

Every year, the world churns out a staggering 2.3 million tonnes of plastic foam, but less than 1% of it ever gets recycled. The rest? It piles up in landfills, adding to the growing mountain of waste that threatens our planet. But there’s good news on the horizon. Researchers at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) in Bengaluru have developed a game-changing solution: a biodegradable foam that disintegrates safely in landfills — and, more importantly, doesn’t contaminate our groundwater. The IISc team, led by Professors Suryasarathi Bose and Subodh Kumar, has created a biodegradable foam that is not only eco-friendly but also boasts impressive strength and durability. This innovative material is made from bio-based epoxy resins derived from non-edible oils and hardeners sourced from tea leaves. "Traditional plastic foams can take centuries to decompose, but our bio-derived foam safely disintegrates in landfills without harming the environment," the researchers told Deccan Herald. The team is confident that as demand for eco-friendly solutions grows, the cost of production for this innovative material will decrease. This innovative, eco-friendly alternative could be the breakthrough we’ve been waiting for to replace harmful plastic foams. #EcoFriendly #SustainablePackaging #BiodegradableFoam #GreenInnovation #IISc #EcoFriendlyMaterials #Packaging #PlasticPollution [biodegradable foam, eco-friendly foam, plastic waste, sustainable packaging, bio-based resins, sustainable innovation, IISc, Green Solutions]

Chandrashekhar Mandal, hailing from the rural village of Ami, Bihar, knows poverty firsthand. Growing up in an area with limited education, he witnessed the struggles of his family and community, especially those in blue-collar jobs. Driven by a desire to empower daily wage laborers, Chandrashekhar envisioned a world where they wouldn't have to wait on street corners for work. This vision took shape during his early days at a finance job in Delhi. While sipping coffee on a rainy afternoon, he saw a stark contrast: his comfortable office space versus the struggles of daily wage workers seeking shelter from the monsoon at a nearby labor chowk. This scene reminded him of his childhood in Bihar and the hardships his relatives faced searching for work. A question ignited within him—"In this digital age, why can't we revolutionize the way daily wage workers find jobs?" From that question, Digital Labour Chowk was born. This innovative platform connects employers with skilled laborers, eliminating the instability that comes with finding jobs the traditional way. In just three years, the company has provided steady income to over one lakh daily wage laborers, transforming lives. Read more on how Digital Labour Chowk is helping daily wagers find work online: https://buff.ly/46KYU23 #dailywageworkers #jobopportunities #employmentopportunities #socialimpact #communitydevelopment #Bihar [Digital Labour Chowk, Chandrashekhar Mandal, Bihar, Job Portal for Daily Wage Workers]

When Chandigarh's Sandeep Kumar saw poor kids struggling without notebooks, he figured out a way to turn raddi (scrap) into shiksha (education). Collecting and turning scrap paper into fresh notebooks, he is fuelling the dream of education for many. "Donate your books instead of discarding them, and help underprivileged kids chase their dreams," Sandeep says. Loved the video? Stay tuned for more in #ForceForGoodHeroes, an extraordinary series on India’s unsung heroes that will inspire you to believe in the power of change! In partnership with Aditya Birla Group #ForceForGood #AdityaBirlaGroup