It’s Time to Celebrate Change: This September, Witness the Stories That Built a Better India
In a country where breaking news often drowns out quiet impact, The Better India has stayed committed to something different: listening closely to those who act, not just speak.
For over a decade, we’ve uncovered stories that rarely make front pages—stories of farmers reviving barren land, teachers rewriting the future of entire villages, and everyday citizens solving problems most have given up on.
What began as a platform has grown into a movement—one that doesn’t chase virality but stands for real change, built quietly and courageously, one community at a time.
Spotlight at The Better India Showcase
This September 2025, supported by Optum and powered by M3M Foundation, The Better India Showcase will mark a historic first—a national celebration of those who build quietly, persist boldly, and transform lives without ever seeking the spotlight. It’s a tribute to the grit behind the good, the work behind the wonder.
Imagine a world where a university professor from Gujarat, after visiting a rural village and discovering that there was not a single toilet available for the villagers, didn’t just go home and lament. She took the onus and built 6,000 toilets!
Or a story where a young filmmaker from India makes a film on a trans woman forest guard in the rural Uttarakhand to highlight the social stigma that the LGBTQI+ community still faces and why it becomes imperative to become a voice of change amid the chaos.
Forget red carpets. This is an impact stage.
Let’s be honest: some of the most powerful stories of change never make it to the front page. Stories of ordinary people doing extraordinary things. Of communities quietly transforming their futures. Hands that build, heal, teach, plant, and protect often without applause.
Whether it’s a woman reviving a dying river by planting thousands of trees, or an artisan in rural India preserving generations of craft with pride and perseverance, these acts of change are all around us — just waiting to be seen.
For over a decade, The Better India has made it its mission to find and tell these stories. Not the loudest voices, but the meaningful ones. From distant villages to inner-city classrooms, it has unearthed solutions to problems many have accepted as unsolvable, shining a light on those who didn’t wait for permission to act.
This is not just storytelling. It’s a celebration of human grit, quiet courage, and the belief that progress is possible because someone, somewhere, decided to care.
And with The Better India Showcase, we aim to take that recognition a step further. This is not just another award show. It’s a powerful reminder that change doesn’t need a spotlight, but it deserves one.
So, what makes it different?
It’s not about glitz, it’s about grit.
It’s not for trends, it’s for impact.
It’s not about applause, it’s about action.
It is an evening to celebrate those who act “Not for show. But the ones who show up.”
9 Categories, 9 Ways to Say ‘Thank You’
The Showcase will honour changemakers across 9 unique categories, each reflecting a different area of social progress:
- TBI Agri Changemaker
- TBI Woman Changemaker
- TBI Water Warrior
- TBI Education Changemaker
- TBI Health Changemaker
- TBI Sustainability Changemaker
- TBI Social Impact Changemaker
- TBI Creator for Good
- TBI Young Innovator
Each winner will be chosen not just for their story, but for their impact. The ones who kept going — even when no one was watching.
How it works & what to expect
1. How do I nominate someone?
Nominating a changemaker is simple, and it could change their journey forever.
During the nomination window (dates will be announced on our microsite), just head to the official The Better India Showcase nomination form. There, you’ll be asked to tell us about the individual or group you’re nominating.
You can highlight the following:
- What problem are they solving?
- How are they making a real difference?
- Why should the country know their story?
The more specific and heartfelt your nomination, the better. If shortlisted, their story will be taken forward for jury review and public voting.
And yes, you can even nominate yourself if you’re a changemaker!
2. Who selects the winners?
To maintain the transparency for the recognition that matters, the selection process is thorough and thoughtful.
The final winners are chosen by an independent jury of 10 extraordinary individuals: a diverse mix of experts, innovators, grassroots leaders, policy influencers, and past changemakers.
3. Where can I watch the event?
On September 18, The Better India Showcase will be streamed live, and it’s open to everyone.
Catch it on:
- YouTube
- Instagram
- Facebook
- LinkedIn
There are no passes, no tickets, and no registration required. Whether you’re on your commute, on a lunch break, or curled up at home, all you need is a screen and a little inspiration.
We believe stories of change should be accessible to all Indians, no matter where they live.
4. Can I vote?
Absolutely — your voice matters!
Once the official nominees are announced, public voting will open. You can read their stories on our website or watch them on our official social media channels and vote for the changemaker who inspires you most.
While the final winners are decided by the jury, public votes play a big role in amplifying visibility.
More votes = more awareness = more people inspired to join the movement.
5. What happens after the Showcase?
The Showcase may be a single event, but the stories don’t end there.
Every winner (and several nominees) will be continuously featured across The Better India platforms through:
- Video documentaries
- In-depth written stories
- Short reels and social content
We believe that the true power of recognition lies in what comes after the applause. So expect these stories to stay with you long after September, throughout the year.
6. Is there a cost to participate or attend?
None!
Whether you’re nominating, voting, or watching — it’s completely free.
Celebrating changemakers should never come with a price tag.
At The Better India, positive stories deserve to be seen, heard, and shared without barriers.
Mark the month
The Better India Showcase goes live on September 18, 2025, and it promises to be unlike anything you’ve seen before.
A celebration of service, hard work, tangible solutions, and optimism
Stay tuned for all the updates, nomination forms, and live stream details.
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