From helping the needy to creating love for science, the top social stories of the week

The selflessness of people is what makes the world a meaningful place. Be it feeding the needy during COVID-19 pandemic, or helping the elderly, or even creating awareness among students on how wonderful the subject of science can be, Social Story got a good share of some motivating and heart-warming stories.

Here are the top social stories of the week:

Pandemic Heroes: This IIT-Delhi alumnus, who worked with the UN, is now reaching out to the needy amidst COVID-19

According to the Centre for Monitoring Indian Economy (CMIE), the COVID-19 pandemic has left more than 12 crore individuals fending for themselves and their families. Lack of access to food, water, and other essentials has constantly been on the rise.

Moved by these harsh realities, Pratik Kumar, an alumnus of IIT-Delhi, rose to the occasion and decided to dedicate himself to the noble cause of providing food and ration to some of the most underprivileged sections of society. 

The 54-year-old, who spent three decades of his career working initially for the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India, and then at the United Nations, started out on his own and established two non-governmental organisations. While the seeds for Prayatna were sown in 2003, he instituted Sashakt Foundation in 2016. 

This 50-year-old woman from Meghalaya clears Class 12 exams three decades after dropping out of school

American track and field athlete Jacqueline Joyner-Kersee once said, “Age is no barrier. It’s a limitation you put on your mind.” 

And, 50-year-old Meghalaya resident Lakyntiew Syiemlieh stands testimony to this saying. Hailing from Umsning Lumumpih village in Ri Bhoi district of the state, she recently cleared her Class 12 board exams. 

Lakyntiew, who has four children and two grandchildren, decided to pursue her higher secondary education three decades after dropping out of school. Earlier this year, she was one of the 24,267 students who appeared for the state board's Higher Secondary School Leaving Certificate (HSLLC) exam. 

This community shows how India can improve its eldercare services amid COVID-19

Many Indian states have explicitly asked senior citizens to remain indoors. This has severely hampered the social life of the elderly, and has made many of them dependent on NGOs and individuals for basic necessities.

At Antara Senior Living, a commune of independent senior living residences for people aged 55 and above, the lockdown was imposed even before it was announced nationally. 

Launched in 2013, Antara is a residency concept for senior citizens established in Dehradun. With another residency to be launched in Noida, Antara aims to provide a safe space for the elderly, thereby improving their quality of life. It is a 100 percent subsidiary of Max India.

This 18-year-old awardee has helped more than 19,000 students fall in love with science

Aniket Gupta’s parents wanted him to pursue engineering, but the stream rarely offers jobs to many of its graduates. Considering himself a cell in an organ of problems, he didn’t think that his voice could bring change.

Inspired by Amar Srivastav, the Founder of the Indian Road Safety Campaign, Aniket wanted to be a part of the change in the education system.

By the end of January 2019, Aniket, a student of Lovely Public Senior Secondary School, East Delhi, founded the Indian Science and Technology Campaign (ISTC), which focuses on strengthening scientific skills of young minds who lose interest in science at an early age due to various reasons such as inadequate practical knowledge provided in most of the schools.

In recognition of his work, he was given The Diana Award – the highest accolade a young person can achieve for social action or humanitarian efforts. Aniket is one among 23 youngsters in India to have earned this award.

Beco, EcoBuddy, Geeli Mitti — 5 startups that are tackling single-use plastics with their eco-friendly bamboo products

According to a report by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), in 2017, India alone generated close to 25,940 tonnes of plastic waste per day. Single-use plastics widely affect the environment, especially the marine ecosystem, which sees tonnes of garbage getting dumped in the oceans every year. 

The affinity towards plastic, as well as its high rate of usage, is attributed to some of its inherent properties like durability, affordability, and strength. While many startups are attempting to roll out a cleaner and greener alternative to the material through innovation and creativity, bamboo has stood out among the many substitutes.

Several Indian startups have started bringing out bamboo and related products to tackle the plastic menace.