What does it take to be a changemaker?

Grit and grace.

Tenacity and empathy.

Strength and sensitivity.

Among women, these qualities often take shape as deeply rooted, sustainable solutions — built quietly, powered by resilience, and amplified through care.

In the TBI Women Changemakers category, this spirit shines in many forms — from preserving traditional knowledge and breaking taboos to leading disruptive innovations. Each changemaker is forging new paths toward equity, dignity, and opportunity.

As part of Optum Presents The Better India Showcase, supported by the M3M Foundation — a tribute to the dreamers and doers driving change across nine key areas of impact — we spotlight five remarkable women whose work is shaping a more inclusive and empowered India.

1. Dr Kalpana Sankar

Today, 2.2 million women across India walk with a spring in their step — thanks to a newfound financial independence. The credit goes to Dr Kalpana Sankar, a nuclear physicist-turned-social reformer who co-founded ‘Hand in Hand India’ to pursue her passion for women’s empowerment. Her work enables the formation of self-help groups (SHGs), access to jobs, and the eradication of child labour — all through a holistic model of rural development.

Her impact lies in creating 1.5 million jobs, empowering 2.2 million women with credit access and entrepreneurship training, and working in over 500 villages across India.

The model’s success led to it being replicated on foreign shores, too. With over two decades of her life having been dedicated to this cause, Dr Kalpana believes in championing change........

© The Better India