The Better India

Have you ever experienced the rich fragrance of Mysore Sandal Soap? There’s something deeply Indian about the scent of sandalwood – sweet, warm, woody, and timeless. It’s a fragrance that’s woven into India’s heritage, and perhaps that’s why Mysore Sandal Soap has remained close to our hearts for over a century. But do you know the story behind this iconic soap? Swipe to uncover the journey! >> #MysoreSandalSoap #IndianHeritage #Sandalwood #MadeInIndia #WorldWar1 #Mysore [Mysore Sandal Soap, Indian heritage, sandalwood soap, Mysore, Karnataka]

Age and adventure go hand in hand! Dr Neelam Vaid, 60, Head of the ENT Department at KEM Hospital, has defied stereotypes by completing a 100km endurance run in Rajasthan in an impressive 15 hours and 31 minutes. What an achievement! A proficient surgeon with over 750 cochlear implants to her credit, Dr Vaid meticulously balances her demanding medical career with her training routine. "My coach designs a training plan based on the race and distance," she shared. "For this, I ran four days a week, did strength training twice, and practised yoga once. The challenge is finding time, especially for a 100km race." She begins her long runs as early as 4:30 am! Dr Vaid, a seasoned marathoner who has previously participated in the Everest and Comrades Marathons, held the 100km Rajasthan run especially close to her heart. The race was steeped in history, with the track spanning Jaisalmer to Longewala, a significant site from the 1971 Indo-Pak War. Participants braved the chilly desert night, stopping every 10km for hydration and every 60km for a brief rest. Stopping for too long risked muscle cramps, making it a test of both physical and mental endurance. Dr Vaid’s accomplishment is truly inspirational, proving age is no barrier to extraordinary feats. She advises fellow senior citizens to listen to their bodies and allow adequate recovery. "The process is painful, but the finish line is worth it," she added. She is truly an inspiration! #DrVaid #RajasthanMarathon #100kmrun #Rajasthan #Dedication [Dr. Vaid, Rajasthan, Dedication, Rajasthan Marathon, 100km marathon]

The UPSC Civil Services Exam is often seen as a mountain only “genius” kids can climb. But IAS officer Anju Sharma’s story breaks this myth wide open. She’s living proof that hard work, not just talent, makes all the difference. Anju didn’t start as a topper. In fact, she failed her Economics paper in Class 12 and even her Chemistry pre-boards. It would’ve been easy to give up, but her mother’s constant encouragement kept her going. Recalling a pivotal moment, Anju shared with News18: "During exam preparations, I had so many chapters to cover that I almost panicked after dinner. I felt unprepared and knew I would fail. Everyone around me kept stressing that performance in Class 10 is crucial since it determines our future studies." That moment changed her. Anju realized last-minute cramming wasn’t going to get her anywhere. So, she committed to consistent, year-long preparation. And it paid off—she excelled in college, earned a gold medal, and cracked the UPSC exam on her very first attempt at just 22 years old! Today, she is the Principal Secretary at Sachivalaya, Gandhinagar, in the Department of Education (Higher and Technical Education). Kudos to IAS Anju Sharma for showing us what’s possible when you never give up! #AnjuSharma #UPSC #SuccessStory #IASofficer #UPSC #inspiring [IAS Anju Sharma, UPSC, Success story, UPSC, Inspiring Woman]

Dangal wasn’t just about wrestling — it was about resilience, courage, and the fight against all odds. What’s your favorite lesson from this iconic film? Share it below! 👇 #Dangal #8YearsOfDangal #LifeLessons #DhaakadGirls #Inspiration #TheBetterIndia [8 Years of Dandal, Life Lessons, Dhaakad, Bollywood Movie, Inspiring]

A big thank you to our farmers for braving tremendous odds to keep food on our tables.🫡 #KisanDiwas #NationalFarmersDay #farmers #ThankaFarmer #India #IndianFarmer [Kisan Diwas, National Farmers Day, Thank a Farmer, Farmers of India]

Nagaland’s Hornbill Festival has set the gold standard for what every celebration in India can become—zero-waste, zero-plastic, and fully sustainable. From banning single-use plastics and composting wet waste to using bamboo straws and banana leaf plates, the Hornbill Festival shows us that sustainability and joy can go hand in hand. ✨1 million fewer plastic items. ✨50 metric tons of CO₂ emissions prevented. ✨Cleaner air. Greener land. A brighter future. It’s not just a festival—it’s a roadmap for all events across India. Tag a festival organizer, changemaker, or local leader who can make this happen in YOUR city. Let’s celebrate responsibly. #ZeroWasteIndia #SustainableFestivals #HornbillFestival #GreenFuture #EcoFriendlyIndia #Nagaland [Zero Waste India, Sustainable Festivals, Hornbill Festival, Green Future, Eco-Friendly India, Nagaland]

With many Indians choosing to leave India in search of better "living conditions", US-born Kirsten Fischer has challenged an entire generation by choosing to raise her children here in India. "Why would you downgrade your kids' lives to live in India when they could grow up in America?" they asked. Her response came in the form of a beautiful reel — her children laughing, playing, running, and living a fulfilled life. Kirsten says, "I believe my kids will grow into stronger, happier, and more equipped adults because of their rich experiences growing up here in India." Kirsten may have been born in the US, but her love for India shines through. More power to her! Credits : kristenfischer3 on Instagram #KirstenFischer #India #US #RaisingKids #ParentingGoals #InspiringStories #IncredibleIndia [Kirsten Fischer, Incredible India, US, Parenting Goals, Inspiring]

“I wished to create a space where women could not only feel empowered but also lead with dignity. I wanted to inspire them to pursue their aspirations, to help them find their voices.” – Sheshandeep Kaur Sidhu. In 2019, at just 22, Sheshandeep shattered stereotypes by becoming the first woman Sarpanch of Manak Khana, Punjab. Her journey was far from easy. Initially met with scepticism, she stood firm, determined to bring meaningful change to her village. Her first bold steps were the construction of a library and a park — projects many dismissed as “unnecessary” in a community focused on "tangible" developments like roads. But her next initiative was groundbreaking. In a village where tradition dictated that nameplates displayed the names of male heads of families, Sheshandeep flipped the script. She introduced nameplates featuring women’s names — a seemingly simple idea that carried transformative power. For the 110 households in the village, these nameplates became more than just symbols; they were bold statements of dignity and recognition for women's contribution. Read more about her inspiring journey: https://lnkd.in/g72spGkF #EmpoweringWomen #GenderEquality #Punjab #sarpanch #genderequality [Sarpanch, women empowerment Punjab, nameplate initiative, gender equality, Manak Khana, Sheshandeep Kaur Sidhu]

Have you noticed a white-flowered weed spreading across empty lots and roadsides? Parthenium hysterophorus, commonly known as carrot grass, is an invasive plant that has silently spread across India, posing serious threats to the environment and public health. Swipe to learn how this harmful weed arrived in India, how to identify it, and ways to control its spread. >> #Parthenium #InvasiveSpecies #EnvironmentalAwareness #Parthenium #InvasiveSpecies #WeedControl #HealthHazard [Parthenium hysterophorus, carrot grass, invasive plant, weed control, health risks]

"You’re just a housewife. What can you achieve?" they said. Six decades later, Bhagyalakshmi Chandrasekhar's veena tells a different story. From performing on 500+ stages to winning 25 awards and training 30+ students every day, her journey proves that passion knows no limits. Watch the video for a glimpse into her inspiring journey. #BreakingStereotypes #CarnaticMusic #VeenaPlayer #IndianClassicalMusic #WomenInArt #Inspiring [music journey, inspiring women, veena artist, classical music, Bhagyalakshmi Chandrasekhar, breaking barriers]