1. Licypriya Kangujam – Climate Activist (Manipur)
Story: Starting at age 6, she’s been a vocal advocate for climate action, speaking at COP25 and urging India to enact climate laws.
Licypriya Kangujam from Manipur is a young climate activist who started advocating for climate action at the age of 6. She has spoken at international platforms like COP25 and has been urging the Indian government to pass strong climate laws to protect the environment. Despite her young age, she has become a prominent voice in the global climate movement.
2. Garvita Gulhati – Water Conservationist
Story: Founded Why Waste? at 15 to combat water wastage. Her movement impacted over 10 million people, engaged 500,000+ restaurants, and saved nearly 6 million liters of water.
Garvita Gulhati is a dedicated water conservationist who started her journey at the age of 15 by founding the initiative Why Waste? to address the critical issue of water wastage. Through her campaign, she has successfully raised awareness and changed behaviors on a massive scale — impacting over 10 million people across India. Garvita’s movement has collaborated with more than 500,000 restaurants, encouraging them to adopt water-saving practices. Thanks to these efforts, nearly 6 million liters of water have been saved so far. Her work highlights the power of youth-driven activism in tackling environmental challenges and promoting sustainable water use.
3. Arjun Deshpande – Affordable Healthcare Entrepreneur
Story: Founded Generic Aadhaar at 16 after witnessing hardship, enabling affordable medicines through over 1,800 outlets across India; backed by Ratan Tata.
Arjun Deshpande is a young entrepreneur who, at the age of 16, founded Generic Aadhaar after witnessing the struggles of people unable to afford essential medicines. His initiative focuses on making affordable generic medicines accessible to everyone, especially underserved communities in India. Through a network of over 1,800 outlets across the country, Generic Aadhaar provides quality medicines at significantly reduced prices. Arjun’s impactful work has earned support from prominent figures like Ratan Tata, highlighting his commitment to improving healthcare accessibility and reducing the financial burden on patients.
4. Payal Jangid – Children’s Rights Activist
Story: Refused child marriage at 11, became Bal Panchayat leader, and won the Goalkeepers Changemaker Award for her work in Rajasthan.
Payal Jangid is a courageous children’s rights activist from Rajasthan who stood up against child marriage by refusing to marry at the age of 11. Determined to make a difference, she became a leader of the Bal Panchayat (children’s council), where she actively advocates for children’s rights and education. Her relentless efforts to protect and empower children in her community have earned her the prestigious Goalkeepers Changemaker Award. Payal’s journey exemplifies bravery and leadership in the fight against child marriage and for the rights of girls in rural India.
5. Ridhima Pandey – Young Climate Litigant
Story: Filed a petition with the National Green Tribunal at age 9 demanding government action on climate change; later joined 15 young petitioners including Greta Thunberg at UN.
Ridhima Pandey is a determined young climate activist who, at just 9 years old, filed a petition with India’s National Green Tribunal demanding urgent government action to address climate change. Motivated by her concern for the planet’s future, she took a bold legal stand to push for stronger environmental policies. Later, Ridhima joined a group of 15 young petitioners, including internationally recognized activist Greta Thunberg, to raise global awareness about climate change at the United Nations. Her courageous efforts highlight the powerful role young people can play in demanding accountability and protecting the environment for future generations.
6. Prasiddhi Singh – Environmentalist & Keynote Speaker
Story: At just 12, she's planted over 150,000 native saplings and is the youngest keynote speaker at the Paris ChangeNOW Summit.
Prasiddhi Singh is an inspiring young environmentalist who began her journey at the age of 12 by planting over 150,000 native saplings to help restore and protect local ecosystems. Her dedication to environmental conservation has earned her recognition not just in India but globally. She became the youngest keynote speaker at the prestigious Paris ChangeNOW Summit, where she shared her passion and ideas on combating climate change. Prasiddhi’s remarkable achievements demonstrate the impact that young leaders can have in driving environmental awareness and action worldwide.
7. Chethan Manchegowda – Blood Donation Advocate
Story: Started Khoon after losing his teacher due to lack of blood; the NGO has saved thousands of lives by connecting blood donors.
Chethan Manchegowda is a passionate blood donation advocate who was deeply moved to act after losing his teacher due to the unavailability of blood during an emergency. Motivated by this tragedy, he founded Khoon, an NGO dedicated to connecting blood donors with those in urgent need. Through his initiative, thousands of lives have been saved by facilitating timely blood donations across communities. Chethan’s work highlights the crucial importance of organized blood donation drives and showcases how one person’s determination can create a lifesaving impact for many.
8. Sia Godika – Footwear for the Underprivileged
Story: Founded Sole Warriors at 16, collecting, refurbishing, and donating shoes. Her initiative donated over 21,000 pairs globally.
Sia Godika is a compassionate young social entrepreneur who founded Sole Warriors at the age of 16. Her initiative focuses on collecting, refurbishing, and donating footwear to underprivileged communities around the world. Through her dedicated efforts, Sole Warriors has donated over 21,000 pairs of shoes globally, helping improve health and mobility for countless individuals. Sia’s work demonstrates how simple acts of kindness, combined with strong organization, can make a meaningful difference in people’s lives.
9. Nirvaan Somany – Eco-Fashion Entrepreneur
Story: Founded Project Jeans, turning discarded denim into insulating sleeping bags for the homeless. Over 6,000 jeans collected, 800 bags distributed.
Nirvaan Somany is an innovative eco-fashion entrepreneur who founded Project Jeans, a creative initiative that transforms discarded denim jeans into insulated sleeping bags for homeless people. By collecting over 6,000 pairs of old jeans, Nirvaan and his team have upcycled this waste material into more than 800 warm sleeping bags, providing comfort and protection to those in need. His work not only addresses environmental sustainability by reducing textile waste but also offers a practical solution to homelessness, showcasing how entrepreneurship can blend social impact with eco-consciousness.
10. Naveen Kumar – LGBTQ+ Climate Advocate
Story: From Jharkhand, he leads climate action initiatives across 30+ slums and schools, forming youth climate committees and nutrition gardens.
Naveen Kumar is a dedicated LGBTQ+ climate advocate from Jharkhand who leads impactful climate action initiatives across more than 30 slums and schools. Through his leadership, he has helped establish youth climate committees that empower young people to take part in environmental conservation and awareness. Naveen also promotes sustainable living by creating nutrition gardens, which provide fresh food and foster community resilience. His work bridges social inclusion and environmental activism, demonstrating how marginalized voices can drive meaningful change in climate action at the grassroots level.