From what young India wants from its new PM to Akash Ambani’s eco-friendly wedding, here are the stories our readers loved
What does Young India want from its next PM?
The General Elections are around the corner and soon, India will vote for its next Prime Minister. While several promises are being made by political parties, here are a few things India’s youth want from their next leaders ranging from changing the education system to creating more jobs and better financial policies.
Mountaineer, author and a martial artist - story of one IAS officer
For 37-year-old Ravindra Kumar, staying indoors is not an option. He is among those who want to try everything possible. During his lifetime, he has held multiple positions - from Director of Indian Himalayan Centre for Adventure and Eco-tourism (IHCAE), to Chief Development Officer (CDO) of Sitapur District in Uttar Pradesh, and Commissioner of Entertainment Tax. In his second attempt to scale Mount Everest in 2015, an earthquake hit the base camp but he refused to leave the dangerous site. Instead, Ravindra joined the rescue mission and saved the lives of three people near the base.
The big green Indian wedding
Mukesh Ambani’s son Akash Ambani got married to Shloka Mehta and while the wedding has been in the news for all the extravagant reasons, there is something else that made it stand out. The wedding was a plastic-free zone and used biodegradable tableware made from sugarcane fibre. This tableware decomposes within 60 – 90 days.
Chennai-based duo giving an eco-friendly alternative to plastic
The fashion industry produces a lot of non-biodegradable industrial waste. Realising the damage caused, Veena Balakrishnan and Sudarshana Pai started Everwards India. The online store gives people eco-friendly products ranging from pencils made from graphite and newspaper to toothbrushes made from bamboo, with bamboo fibre bristles. Everwards India provides 40 products that are an eco-friendly alternative to plastics used in everyday life, priced from Rs 49 to Rs 799.
This Mumbai-based artist beautifies slums to give slum-dwellers a better life
Paint Dharavi, an initiative started by Rouble Nagi in 2012, later took shape as Misaal Mumbai. Her aim was to beautify slums and change the mindsets of people towards cleanliness. With a desire to serve the community through art, Nagi also conducts art workshops for children through her NGO. Missal Mumbai not only beautifies these slums by painting them, but also focusses on waterproofing the roofs of the dwellings.