From training over 750 dropouts to helping distressed animals: top SocialStories this week
In this week, we shared the stories of 27-year old Satabdi Subhasmita Sahoo who has trained over 750 plumbers; and Shivani Singh who is trying to empower local women from Himachal Pradesh.
This week, SocialStory has tried to share the stories of people who have set an example in their own way. While 19-year old Indian Army aspirant Pradeep Mehra's story taught us the lesson of determination and willpower, Geetanjali Chopra showed us the power of attaining joy from small deeds.
Meet the 27-year-old from Odisha who has trained over 750 plumbers
When Satabdi Subhasmita Sahoo told her parents that she was going to train boys, who had failed Class 10, in the plumbing trade, so that they could find employment, she wasn’t really expecting much resistance. Her parents had always told her to follow her heart and that she would have their support.
Satabdi Sahoo has trained over 750 school dropouts to find jobs as plumbers
The then 20-year-old daughter of a post-master and homemaker from Bhuvaneshwar confidently took up the cause and has not looked back since. That was nearly eight years ago. Since then, she has trained over 20 batches of school dropouts.
“I had completed my Bachelor of Technology in Civil Engineering in 2015 and a Diploma in the Civil Trade in 2013. When I completed my Diploma, I decided to look for a job,” Satabdi says in conversation with Social Story.
Pradeep Mehra: Meet the Noida teen who dreams of joining the Indian Army
A 19-year-old boy from Noida has become an overnight hero for his dedication to joining the Indian Army. The teen, who works at McDonald’s was spotted by author and filmmaker Vinod Kapri running on the street at night.
Kapri drove alongside him and offered him a ride, which the boy repeatedly refused saying that he ran 10 km every night as part of his training to get fit and in shape. His shift finishes at 11 pm and the boy runs home after a hard day's work. Kapri filmed their conversation and posted it on Twitter and the exchange has since gone viral. Pradeep, meanwhile, wants privacy and believes that the world bows down to hard work.
Originally from Almora, Pradeep lives with his brother and mother, who is currently unwell. Both boys are working at the same McDonald’s outlet to help make ends meet. Having to work overtime leaves little scope for training, which led him to run the entire distance home after working a long shift.
An organic farm and a sanctuary for distressed animals in the mountains: the story of Peepal Farm
In Dhanotu, a small village near Dharmshala in Himachal Pradesh, Shivani Singh found her calling in helping local women and stray animals through her organisation Peepal Farm.
Started as a small farm selling only herbs in 2017, Peepal Farm has evolved into an animal rescue organisation and organic farm. This women-powered social enterprise’s product line has grown gradually over the years into a vast range of categories, and the underlying mission all along has been generating more employment for women and helping distressed animals.
The team behind Peepal Farm Products
From organic and vegan food to upcycled decor, skincare products, and handcrafted jewellery, the social enterprise led by Shivani ensures each one of these products is handmade by incredibly talented local women. The revenue generated is then used towards animal welfare initiatives like medical treatments and awareness about animal rescue and shelter.
This social entrepreneur is bringing smile back on the faces of underprivileged through her NGO
When young Geetanjali Chopra visited orphanages along with her grandfather, little did she know that she would find her calling to serve them in the future.
During the late 80s, Geetanjali would often visit a school for the visually impaired with her grandfather to celebrate birthdays and other special occasions with them. On one such occasion, a 7-8 year-old-girl tugged her arm and asked, “Mera birthday kab hota hai”? (When is my birthday?).
Geetanjali was very disappointed to know how one does not remember their birthday and never even cut a cake. These soft, subtle, yet intriguing words stayed with her. Over the years, Geetanjali decided to find her true calling and established , an NGO, in 2014. It is a platform that connects donors with beneficiaries, spreading happiness and making dreams come true.
