What’s Good, India? | From An Inspiring Single Mother to An 82-YO Making Bengaluru Cleaner

In this edition of What’s Good, India, we bring you inspiring stories of people who prove that hope is not just a word—it's a way of life.

From a couple reviving traditional craftsmanship to an 82-year-old sweeping the streets of Bengaluru with unwavering dedication, here are stories that remind us: change begins with courage.

This Week’s Spotlight: Top 3 Stories of the Week

1. Jaipur Couple Revives Handcrafted Kitchenware, Empowers Artisans & Earns ?5 Lakh/Month?

In the heart of Bagru, Rajasthan, Punit Agarwal and Chandni Gupta are transforming the world of kitchenware.

Tired of corporate monotony, they left it behind to breathe life into timeless handcrafted wooden designs.

With just a year of sourcing, designing, and working alongside skilled artisans, Aurum Crafts was born — offering wooden kitchen essentials like cheese platters, serving trays, and chopping boards that blend age-old techniques with modern style.

By cutting out middlemen, they ensure fair wages for artisans while delivering premium, sustainable products. Today, their venture generates ?5 lakh a month, empowering local communities.

2. Starting With Just ?500, This Single Mom Overcame Odds To Build a Thriving Food Brand

An unwed single mother at 21, Yangmila Zimik from Manipur defied societal stigma and financial struggles to raise her son alone.?

Undeterred, she took on odd jobs, learning through every failure. In 2016, with only ?500 and a vision rooted in childhood memories, she launched Shirin Products—a brand that turns wild fruits from Ukhrul hills into candies, pickles, and squashes.

Today, her food brand sources from over 100 farmers, provides jobs to local women, and generates monthly sales of over ?1 lakh.

Her products now reach shelves in cities like Mumbai and Delhi.

3. How a Bihar Woman's Passion For Mushrooms Is Empowering 10,000 Farmers?

Growing up in Bihar’s Muzaffarpur, Pratibha never imagined mushroom farming could be more than a hobby.?

After losing her father and marrying young, her dream was put on hold—until 2015, when she decided to reignite it.

With no experience, but a burning desire to carve her path, Pratibha found herself at the doorstep of the Bihar Agricultural University.

By 2016, her chemical-free mushrooms gained recognition, and by 2018, she had trained over 10,000 farmers to build their own businesses.

Today, Pratibha’s mushroom farm and value-added products earn her Rs 2 lakh a month.

Week in a Wink: What Made News On Social Media

In a society that often expects women to endure disrespect in silence, one mother stood tall. When a groom showed up intoxicated, disrupting her daughter’s wedding rituals, she ended it right there.

"If he behaves like this now, what will the future of my daughter be?" she asked, her voice echoing the strength of countless women who refuse to bow to societal constructs.

Her bold decision went viral, becoming a symbol of resilience and self-respect. Here’s to every woman rewriting the rules and reclaiming her worth.

Not all heroes wear capes—some protect with tusks. Mahendra, a tusker of Similipal Tiger Reserve, spent decades defending the forest and its wildlife with unmatched bravery.

From surviving eight bullet wounds while fighting poachers to stopping land mafia attacks, his life was a testament to courage.

At 66, he passed away, leaving behind a legacy of fierce protection for nature.

Mahendra’s story proves that true warriors walk among us—often in silence, often unnoticed.

Married at 13, abandoned by her husband, and left to raise two children alone, Thankamma Kunjappan’s journey was filled with hardship.

Yet, at 66, she returned to school, passing her Class 10 exams with 74% while working as a daily wage labourer. Undeterred by age barriers, she went on to complete her higher secondary education with 78% and, at 74, has enrolled in VISAT Engineering College.

"Learning has no age," she says, proving that no dream is too far or too late.

??Inspiration In Motion: Watch This!

In the heart of Bengaluru, 82-year-old Suryanarayan does what many would consider beneath them — sweeping the streets. For the last 24 years, broom in hand, he’s made it his mission to clean the streets every morning.

For Surya and his wife, HSR Layout is home. Instead of waiting for change, he became the change. His daily acts of sweeping, cleaning clogged drains, and planting trees are gestures of love for his neighbourhood.

"I am doing it for myself," he says.

Surya's quiet rebellion against complacency is a powerful reminder that true change often begins with the simplest acts.

?? Quote of the Week

"If the narrative shifts from 'holding money is cool' to 'giving money away and being part of the community is cool,' a lot more will change in society."

?– Zerodha Co-Founder, Nikhil Kamath

Photo of the Week

Help a Changemaker: Empower Children Rescued from Bonded Labour with #GiftEducation!

Rescued at age 10 from a brick kiln, D Sivakumar turned his life around to become an educator, empowering child-bonded labour survivors with education and skills. His story is proof that second chances can change lives.

With just Rs 500, you too can help educate a rescued child through the #GiftEducation movement and give them the chance to dream, grow, and thrive.

Donate today!

?? What’s Happening – Upcoming Events & Opportunities

Date: 19th January, 2025 (7 am – 9 am)

Bengaluru Bookies

Love the idea of losing yourself in a book while surrounded by fellow book lovers? If you’re in Bengaluru, this is the perfect way to spend your Sunday morning.

Originally launched in Mumbai by Shantanu Naidu, the reading event has now made its way to Bengaluru! Enjoy the perfect blend of social and serene—connect with fellow bookworms without the need for constant conversation. Grab your book, settle in, and enjoy the peaceful vibe!

?? Weekend Cheer List

Bosses of the Wild – Lessons from The Corporate Jungle

Human beings may pride themselves on their intellect, but at our core, we remain animals—driven by survival instincts, social dynamics, and competition.

In Bosses of the Wild – Lessons from The Corporate Jungle, Manjiri Gokhale Joshi explores how animal instincts shape leadership. Drawing fascinating parallels, she reveals that only 10 out of 14 animals are truly fit to lead.

The lion symbolises a commanding boss, while the lioness embodies a strategic, nurturing leader. Joshi's vivid portrayal of animal personas like the eagle, sloth, and hyena offers valuable insights into how different leadership styles shape corporate dynamics.

A must-read for anyone seeking deeper leadership insights!

Black Warrant

Black Warrant, a gripping seven-episode Netflix series by Vikramaditya Motwane and Satyanshu Singh, immerses you in the gritty world of Tihar Jail in the 1980s through the eyes of young jailer Sunil Gupta.

Based on Gupta’s real-life memoir, the series highlights the corruption within the system and one man’s quiet fight for integrity.

What sets Black Warrant apart is its rejection of the traditional action-hero mold. Sunil Gupta grapples with the system's flaws and the personal toll it takes, making for a powerful underdog story.

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Thanks for reading! Every small step counts in building a brighter future for India. Stay tuned for more inspiring stories next week that reflect the heart and resilience of our nation.