Glitz, glamour and the essence of goodness took centre stage at the Femina and Mamaearth present Beautiful Indians 2024 event. It was a vibrant celebration of individuals dedicated to uplifting others, spreading joy and making a meaningful difference in the world. Each one a beacon of light, serving as a reminder of the beauty found in acts of kindness, generosity and selflessness.
As the curtains draw to a close on this remarkable third edition, meet the esteemed goodness ambassadors and be inspired by their remarkable journeys:
PRASIDDHI SINGH
Child Environmentalist & Social Entrepreneur
The founder of the Prasiddhi Forest Foundation, this 11 -year-old has planted over one lakh trees and conducted 600 awareness sessions, ensuring significant impact. After experiencing the after-effects of Cyclone Vardah at the age of four, Prasiddhi embarked on a mission to enhance biodiversity and raise awareness. Recognized as a beacon of change, she has been honouredhonoured as one of the Young Minds of Tomorrow by ET NOW and Times Network.
KIRAN KAMDAR
Parkinson’s Warrior Ensuring Hospital Patients Get Essential Nutrition
Even though she battles Parkinson’s disease herself, 62-year-old Kiran Kamdar’s heart overflows with compassion for others. For the past three years, she has been selflessly providing free khichdi to over patients and their families at the DM Petit Government Hospital in Palghar, Maharashtra. Despite the disease’s cruel grip on her body, Kiran soldiers on, caring not only for her own son who has cerebral palsy, but also dedicating her spare moments to teaching underprivileged children.
DEEP NARAYAN NAYAK
Educator Transforming Lives Across Generations
Affectionately called ‘Raster Master’ (teacher of the streets), this 37-year-old has become a beacon of education for three generations, educating not just the children but also their parents and grandparents. Starting with just two children in West Bengal, Deep’s journey began by transforming the walls of homes into vibrant blackboards. His efforts have now touched the lives of over 10,000 students, reaching as far as Bangladesh. The visionary behind the Raster Master Research Centre, dedicated to addressing various societal challenges, also achieved recognition as one of the top 10 finalists for the USD 1 million Global Teacher Prize 2023.
DWISHOJOYEE BANERJEE
Environmental Activist Saving The Planet, One Paper Bag At A Time
All of 18, this young woman is the founder of The Soft Movement, an initiative that promotes sustainability by replacing plastic bags used by local vendors with recycled newspaper bags, which are distributed to them for free. Under her Paperbag Project, she has been enabling ground action rather than just action talking. She started with 40 paper bags made by upcycling newspapers, went on to form a team of 70 across India, conducting upcycling workshops in 51+ cities, reaching 10,000+ volunteers, and has, so far, replaced over 1 lakh single-use plastic bags for free.
DR MEGHANA PEMMAIAH
Wildlife Veterinarian On A Rescue Mission
Going above and beyond her calling, Dr Meghana Pemmaiah, a 32-year-old wildlife veterinarian based in Mangaluru, epitomises courage and compassion in her relentless efforts to safeguard wildlife. With over six years of experience, she has been an integral part of numerous wildlife rescue operations, often putting herself at risk to ensure the safety of creatures such as leopards, birds, snakes and jackals. One of the most prominent rescues happened last year, when Dr Meghana was lowered within a cage into a well to rescue a leopard that had fallen in. With each act of bravery, she not only saves lives but also inspires others to recognise the urgent need to protect our precious natural world.
DILSHAD MEHERSHAHI, GEETANJALI GAUR, BEVERLY LOUIS & GAUTAM LALWANI
Co-Founders Of Mann
As they stood at the crossroads of shaping their own destinies, four friends from Mumbai were struck by the profound challenges faced by intellectually-challenged individuals. In response, they founded Mann, a charitable organisation committed to empowering adolescents and adults with intellectual disabilities and autism through specialised training and support. Since its inception in 2011, Mann has positively influenced the lives of 675 individuals with special needs, with 80% of the students hailing from low socio-economic backgrounds. Services are provided free or at a subsidised cost, ensuring accessibility to those in need.
SAHIL KUSHAR
CEO Of The Noble Citizen Foundation
Known for positively impacting the lives of around 2,00,000 children, Sahil Kaushar inspires others to be changemakers through his work to elevate the downtrodden. After a failed MBBS attempt, he explored Delhi and was intrigued and upset by the plight of children begging on the streets. Discovering within himself a passion for defending their rights, he set up the Noble Citizen Foundation. He and his team address the issues of these children through educational initiatives. Inspired by Dr B R Ambedkar, his rights-based approach aims for an India where no child needs panhandle anymore, and aims to help around 5 million children by 2030.
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