What’s Good, India? | From Saving 10000+ Restaurant Meals From Landfills to Turning Plastic From Beaches Into Furniture

This week, What’s Good, India brings you stories of quiet determination and meaningful change.

From a doctor-entrepreneur who turned personal struggles into successful businesses to a beach lover giving plastic waste a second life, these changemakers show us the power of resilience and the beauty of turning challenges into opportunities.

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

1. From Struggle to Strength, Dr. Siddhant Bhargava Secures a ?1 Crore Deal

If you’ve ever chased health goals, chances are you’ve heard of Food Darzee. Born from Dr. Siddhant Bhargava’s battle with Lupus, a debilitating autoimmune disease, he transformed his struggles into a diet food delivery service.

With high-profile clients like Alia Bhatt and Sara Ali Khan, his venture became a trusted name for nutrition and wellness.

But life threw yet another challenge: stage 2 thyroid cancer. Refusing to back down, Siddhant co-founded InnerGize, a wearable that reduces stress, boosts productivity and enhances sleep.

By securing ?1 crore for 4.2% equity on Shark Tank India, Siddhant proved no obstacle is insurmountable.

2. Startup Transforms Plastic Waste from Kerala's Beaches into Durable Furniture

On the beaches of Thiruvananthapuram, where Siddharth A K spent his childhood summers, Kerala's serene coastline was often overshadowed by plastic waste. Motivated by memories of cleaning with his late mother, Siddharth was driven to combat plastic pollution.

After quitting his job and exhausting his savings, he founded Carbon & Whale in 2022, a clean-tech startup that recycles plastic waste into products like benches and paver tiles.

So far, they’ve transformed 10,000 kg of plastic, and their products are now in malls and metro stations across Kerala and Bengaluru.

Aiming to eliminate one million kg of plastic, they prove even the biggest problems can be tackled one piece at a time.

3. Turning Leftovers into Opportunity: How ‘Good to Grab’ is Tackling Food Waste in India?

We often over-order food, but what happens to the leftovers? With millions of tonnes of food wasted each year, this is a global crisis, also a problem in India.

Srikanth Reddy saw this firsthand in his family restaurant, where surplus food often went to waste.

Determined to make a change, he and his childhood friend Sai Kishore turned this crisis into an opportunity with ‘Good to Grab.’

Their app lets restaurants sell surplus food at 50% off, with customers picking it up directly, reducing waste and pollution.

In just one year, they've saved 10,000+ plates, partnered with 80+ restaurants, and gained 40,000 users. It's changing how we think about food and waste.

Week in a Wink: What Made News On Social Media

In a race against time, Hyderabad Metro Rail orchestrated a life-saving operation on January 17

A green corridor was swiftly established, enabling a donor heart to travel 13 kilometers in just 13 minutes, ensuring its timely arrival at the hospital where doctors stood ready for a critical transplant.

This extraordinary feat was the result of flawless coordination between the Metro Rail, medical teams, and hospital authorities.

Their combined effort not only saved precious minutes but also demonstrated the transformative power of teamwork in life-or-death situations.

Born as the youngest of six in a family defined by hardship and raised by a retired Army Sepoy, Enoni’s spirit burned brightly through adversity.

Her journey as an Army officer began in the National Cadet Corps (NCC), where dreams ignited despite the struggles she faced. At just 22, Enoni shattered barriers, becoming the first woman from the Mao Naga community to be commissioned as an officer in the Indian Army.

On September 9, 2024, her perseverance culminated in a historic graduation from the Officers Training Academy (OTA) in Chennai, standing proud among 36 women cadets.

Her triumph is a beacon of hope and pride for her family, community, and nation.

On cold winter nights, while the city sleeps, Prem Samal embarks on a mission that might seem small but makes a world of difference.

After closing his garment shop, he sets out on his two-wheeler to distribute hot milk tea, biscuits, and anti-mosquito sticks for just ?1.?

Serving nearly 700 cups each night at shelters, bus stands, and hospitals, he offers warmth and care to the city’s nocturnal workforce.

With every cup, Samal’s compassion shines through, reminding us of the profound impact of empathy.

??Inspiration In Motion: Watch This!

Discarded materials piling up on the banks of the sacred Ganga harm the environment and animals. When IAS Akshat Verma was posted in Banaras, he decided to act. Partnering with Hope Welfare Foundation, he helps turn discarded clothes into reusable bags.

With this initiative, they:

?? Cleaned the Banaras Ghats

?? Created jobs for women

?? Reduced plastic waste

Want to donate clothes to the cause?

?? Call 8090829156 or ?? Connect on IG @hopepariwar

A small step creates a ripple of change!?

?? Quote of the Week

"No matter what profession you choose, the ability to be sensitive to others' feelings is a rare and special quality to have."

?– Amir Khan, Indian Actor and Filmmaker

Photo of the week

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

D Sivakumar’s story is a powerful testament to the transformative power of second chances.

Rescued from a brick kiln at 10, he now dedicates his life to empowering child labor survivors through education and opportunity. His journey shows that with the right support, anything is possible.

For just Rs 500, you, too, can help provide a rescued child with the tools they need to build a better future.

Join #GiftEducation and make a life-changing impact. Your support can help these children dream, grow, and thrive.

Donate now!

Gratitude Corner: How Your Contributions are Changing Lives

?? What’s Happening – Upcoming Events & Opportunities

Date: 25 January, 2025 (10 am - 3 pm)

Venue: Auto Ujjala, Kashmiri Gate, New Delhi

Blood Donation Camp

Every drop counts. In emergencies, accidents, and surgeries, the need for blood is crucial. Your act of generosity can be the lifeline someone desperately needs—offering them hope and a second chance at life.

Spend just an hour of your Sunday to donate blood at the Indian Red Cross Society's Blood Donation Camp and make a life-saving difference.

?? Weekend Cheer List

Kargil: Untold Stories from the War

Authored by Rachna Bisht Rawat, Kargil: Untold Stories from the War is a poignant tribute to the 527 courageous souls who laid down their lives to protect our borders and our honor.

Through powerful interviews with war survivors and the families of martyrs, Rawat unveils the untold human side of war — not only the brutal battles fought in the treacherous Himalayan terrain, but the enduring courage of the soldiers' families who carry forward their legacy.

These heart-wrenching stories of resilience and sacrifice serve as a reminder of the indomitable spirit that defines India.

This Republic Day, let us pause to honor the bravery that shaped our nation and draw strength from the valor of those who fought to safeguard our freedom.

I Want To Talk

I Want To Talk is an emotionally charged exploration of life, death, and the fragile threads that bind us to our loved ones.

The film follows Arjun Sen, a marketing professional given just 100 days to live after being diagnosed with cancer. His quest for reconciliation with his estranged daughter Reya forms the emotional core of the story.

Abhishek Bachchan’s gripping portrayal of Arjun, combined with Shoojit Sircar’s sensitive direction, delivers a heartwarming narrative about redemption, resilience, and the fragile bonds that define us.

This film is a moving reminder to cherish the relationships that matter most, before time runs out.

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Thanks for reading! Change is happening every day, and you’re part of it. Keep an eye out for more stories next week that celebrate the people and moments making India’s future brighter.