Priti, 25 years, programme coordinator and mentor from Uttar Pradesh

“For me, ‘Didi’ means being a mentor, a supporter, a confidant and so much more.” Priti understands the transformative power of having guides and mentors because she’s experienced it firsthand with her own 10 didi’s. Now she channels that same generous spirit into being a ‘Didi’ to 2,500+ girls across 10 states. Beyond regularly donating 10% of her salary to girls’ education, Priti embodies sisterhood by mobilizing career opportunities and encouraging other young women to live independently. Her vision: “Just like how I have 10 Didis, and I am one to 2500 – my wish is that these girls also become Didis to millions of young women.”

Watch Priti’s story here.

Pooja, 21 years, healthcare worker and community educator from Uttar Pradesh.

“If anyone in my village has a problem, they call me.” By night, Pooja tends to patients at the hospital, learning skills that heal. By day, she becomes her village’s lifeline, teaching children under a tree, offering medical guidance to neighbors, and supporting her siblings’ education with her earnings. What she learns in the hospital, Pooja generously shares with her community, proving that true giving isn’t just about money—it’s about using your knowledge, time, and care to lift up everyone around you. As one tribute beautifully captures it: “She works at night and lives her dreams in the day – for herself and for her village.”

Watch Pooja’s story here.

Kajal, 22 years, law student and women’s rights advocate from Maharashtra 

“I come from a Dalit community where the mindset of people regarding clothes is very different. They think that girls and women should not wear jeans.” Kajal became the first girl in her village to wear jeans after seeing her college friends experience freedom of choice. Despite facing criticism from relatives and neighbours, she stood firm in her decision, and with the support of her parents, created a ripple of courage throughout her community. Today, young girls proudly declare, “Because of this didi, even I started to wear jeans!” Her story proves that sometimes the smallest acts of personal freedom can spark the biggest social changes. As she powerfully states: “This might be a very small thing for all of you, but this is a very big issue for me and for my fellow girls. By wearing jeans we got our ‘freedom of self’ back.”

Watch Kajal’s story here.

Nida, 26 years, social entrepreneur and ISL interpreter from Karnataka 

“I grew up in a world where silence was the language at home, but it spoke volumes about love, resilience and connection.” Nida, a Child of Deaf Adults (CODA), transforms her lived experience into powerful advocacy. As an Indian Sign Language interpreter and Rotaract leader, she creates inclusive spaces where deaf and hearing communities connect. From organizing mandala art sessions where participants “break barriers with colors instead of words”, to launching the PenPal Post project that brings back human connection through handwritten postcards, her work ensures that accessibility transforms experiences from ‘I was there’ to ‘I was a part of it.’ As she beautifully puts it: “Generosity to me is making sure that every person can belong, and not  just be present.”

Watch Nida’s story here.

Soumya, 28 years, nurse and LGBTQ+ rights advocate, Rajasthan

“There are certain moments in our lives which change us forever.” Soumya’s experience of discrimination as a queer nurse sparked a mission to ensure no one else feels the same pain. Through workshops with healthcare workers and youth programs, she transforms spaces where LGBTQ+ individuals were once called derogatory names, into places of respect and dignity. Her definition of generosity is simple yet profound: “Giving to me means giving my time, my voice, and my heart.” Her ultimate prize? When a doctor speaks respectfully to a patient or when a young person declares with pride: “This is me! And I am proud of myself!”

Watch Soumya’s story here.

Renu, 23 years, climate storyteller and community advocate from Jharkhand 

“Humans connect to stories, they are not climate victims, they are climate warriors with courage, traditional knowledge, and real solutions for survival.” Renu’s journey from scholarship recipient to climate advocate led her to discover profound wisdom among the Mising tribe of Assam. Witnessing how communities “who contribute the least to climate change are suffering the most,” she found inspiration in their resilience and action — people restoring 500 hectares of critical ecosystem on Majuli island despite losing their land to soil erosion. Joining them to plant trees on 20 hectares, Renu realized the power of indigenous knowledge and community-led solutions. Her mission is clear: To bridge the communication gap around climate change by telling stories. 

Watch Renu’s story here.

Shoaib, 27 years, community health advocate from Uttar Pradesh

“I am not the only one involved in this work. My friends also help me, hand in hand, for everything I do.” A personal tragedy in 2021 led Shoaib on a mission to build a life-saving network of blood donors. When his friend’s pregnant wife passed away before a blood donor could be found, Shoaib channeled his grief into action, creating a robust community of willing donors who support each other in times of crisis. Through continuous awareness campaigns he has inspired hundreds of youth to overcome their fears and misconceptions about blood donation. His collective efforts have led to over 500 units of blood donated, with friends and volunteers working together to ensure no family faces the heartbreak he witnessed. His vision is simple yet powerful: “My dream is that in our region the number of donors and recipients becomes equal, so that no one loses their life just because blood is not available on time.”

Watch Shoaib’s story here.