menu_open Columnists
Mervin Preethi

Mervin Preethi

The Better India

We use cookies to provide some features and experiences in QOSHE

More information  .  Close

Two Women Found a Way To Turn Coffee Waste & Banana Peels Into Eco-Friendly Packaging

What if your morning coffee could help replace plastic? Rhea Kothari and Rishika Reddy have found a way to turn everyday waste — like coffee grounds...

friday 9

The Better India

Mervin Preethi

Olive Ridley Turtles: The Silent Ocean Guardians We Can’t Afford To Lose

Olive Ridley turtles may be small, but their impact on ocean health is massive. From controlling jellyfish populations to enriching coastal...

06.03.2025 9

The Better India

Mervin Preethi

From Petrol to Electric in 2 Hours: How This Tamil Nadu Woman Is Making EV Bikes Affordable

From a small village in Tamil Nadu to leading an EV revolution, Sivasankari TP is making sustainable transport accessible. Her startup, AR4 Tech,...

06.03.2025 10

The Better India

Mervin Preethi

Ex-Infosys Trainee Transforms Wedding Flowers Into Timeless Fashion Keepsakes

Imagine wearing a piece of your most cherished memory! Bhuvaneshwari M, an engineer-turned-designer, is turning wedding flowers into beautiful,...

05.03.2025 4

The Better India

Mervin Preethi

5 Simple & Sustainable Ways to Keep Your Home Cool Without an AC

Air conditioners aren’t the only way to keep your home cool. With the right materials, smart design choices, and a few natural elements, you can...

05.03.2025 7

The Better India

Mervin Preethi

Meet the Ex-Lawyer Breaking Freediving Records as India’s Deepest Female Freediver

Former corporate lawyer Archana Sankaranarayanan left behind a high-flying legal career to embrace the ocean’s depths. Today, she holds the national...

04.03.2025 20

The Better India

Mervin Preethi

Meet ‘Roaming Owls’: A Couple Who Quit City Life in Their 30s To Restore Forests & Wildlife

From weekend nature getaways to full-time conservationists, Paulmathi and Vinod are restoring forests, documenting biodiversity, and practising slow...

03.03.2025 5

The Better India

Mervin Preethi

Lost for Centuries: How a Chennai Craftsman Brought Back a 2000-Year-Old Tamil Instrument

Once confined to history books, the Yazh is now being played again, thanks to luthier Tharun Sekar and his band, Uru Paanar. The group is...

28.02.2025 10

The Better India

Mervin Preethi

Kerala’s Pathiri to Hyderabad’s Haleem: 6 Iftar Dishes India Loves

As the sun sets, Iftar tables across India come alive with unique regional flavours! From Kerala’s soft pathiri to Hyderabad’s rich haleem, every...

28.02.2025 4

The Better India

Mervin Preethi

A Device That Lets Blind Farmers Cultivate Land & Other Rural Inventions Solving Everyday Problems

In rural India, everyday problems inspire extraordinary solutions. From a clay fridge that cools without power to a solar-powered security system,...

28.02.2025 5

The Better India

Mervin Preethi

Make Your Next Trip Meaningful: 5 Volunteer Experiences That Go Beyond Sightseeing

Would you trade luxury stays for volunteering — like farming in Uttarakhand or wildlife conservation in Goa? Does responsible travel truly make an...

27.02.2025 3

The Better India

Mervin Preethi

Told She Wouldn’t Live Past 16, She’s Now Inspiring Thousands With Her Blood Disorder Journey

Born with a rare blood disorder and given little hope, Parameswari T chose strength over struggle. Now 25, she uses her journey to inspire thousands,...

26.02.2025 10

The Better India

Mervin Preethi

Why Have 7 Lakh Olive Ridley Turtles Arrived on Odisha’s Shores This Year?

Over 7 lakh Olive Ridley sea turtles have arrived at Odisha’s Rushikulya rookery for mass nesting, marking a conservation success. Learn about...

26.02.2025 10

The Better India

Mervin Preethi

5.1 Magnitude Earthquake in Odisha, Kolkata: How To Stay Safe & Prepared

Earthquakes strike without warning, but knowing what to do can save lives. Here are five crucial steps to keep yourself and your loved ones safe...

25.02.2025 10

The Better India

Mervin Preethi

At Just 16, She’s Bringing the Magic of Storytelling to Bengaluru’s Underprivileged Kids

Vidhi Golchha, a student from Bengaluru, is helping children from underserved communities unleash their creativity and gain confidence through her...

25.02.2025 10

The Better India

Mervin Preethi

Meet the Mom Who Created India’s First Plastic-Free, Wipeable Cotton Tablecloths

What if your tablecloth could be both stylish and wipeable? When Indira Prashant got tired of constant stains and washing cycles, she created The Yard...

24.02.2025 30

The Better India

Mervin Preethi

22-YO Works Nights, Teaches Rural Tamil Nadu’s Kids Internet Safety by Day

From starting a gifting venture at 16 to founding Rural Tech Rise, Harshini Kishore Singh has empowered 5,000 children with tech education,...

23.02.2025 30

The Better India

Mervin Preethi

25-YO HIV Survivor, Ill-Treated as a Child, Defied Stigma To Become a Marathon Champion

Sports became a sanctuary for HIV-positive youth through the ‘Champion in Me’ initiative, empowering them to break free from stigma and build...

21.02.2025 20

The Better India

Mervin Preethi

Two Engineers Are Using Art To Give Children in Bengaluru’s Slums a Future Beyond Survival

Forced to leave their villages in search of a better life, migrant families in Bengaluru’s slums often struggle to educate their children. Proud...

20.02.2025 8

The Better India

Mervin Preethi

How This Chhattisgarh IFS Officer Is Using AI To Prevent Human-Elephant Conflicts

By combining AI-driven alerts with real-time human tracking, IFS officer Varun Jain has helped reduce human-elephant conflicts in Chhattisgarh, saving...

19.02.2025 5

The Better India

Mervin Preethi

Can Seaweed Replace Plastic in Packaging? These 3 Indian Start-Ups Are Making It Happen

What if packaging left no waste behind? Indian startups are using seaweed to create eco-friendly alternatives to plastic. Could this ocean innovation...

19.02.2025 4

The Better India

Mervin Preethi

Police Officer Turns His Farmland Into Free Academy, Helps 400+ Rural Youth Secure Govt Jobs

Unable to afford coaching himself, Sivaraj cleared his police exam through self-study. Today, he trains hundreds of students for free, turning their...

18.02.2025 10

The Better India

Mervin Preethi

How 4 Local Heroes Are Beating Bengaluru’s Water Crisis With Genius Solutions

Bengaluru’s water crisis is intensifying, and strict rules now limit potable water usage for non-drinking purposes. But these four Bengalurians are...

18.02.2025 40

The Better India

Mervin Preethi

Backed by His Grandmother’s Love, This Tamil Nadu Athlete Conquered the Kho Kho World

Despite setbacks and doubts, V Subramani never gave up on his Kho Kho dream. From playing in his school team to winning the 2025 Kho Kho World Cup,...

18.02.2025 20

The Better India

Mervin Preethi

Raw Mango Season Is Here! 5 Easy Recipes To Make at Home

From tangy pickles to refreshing drinks and comforting meals, these recipes spotlight the wide spectrum of raw mango flavours and culinary delights.

16.02.2025 10

The Better India

Mervin Preethi

This Tamil Nadu Village’s Eco-Friendly Tiles Tell a 200-Year-Old Story

From the heart of Tamil Nadu’s Chettinad region, Athangudi tiles blend tradition, artistry, and sustainability, captivating the world with their...

14.02.2025 4

The Better India

Mervin Preethi

Watch: A 20-Year Age Gap & Shared Empathy for Strays Brought This Couple Together

Despite a 20-year age gap, Nikhil and Geeta found love through their shared mission of rescuing stray animals, proving that compassion heals all...

14.02.2025 4

The Better India

Mervin Preethi

Can Pickles Change Lives? This Andhra Aunt-Niece Duo Says ‘Yes’

Neha Alluri and Usha Sarvarayalu — the founders of The Manduva Project are on a mission to revive Andhra’s culinary heritage and empower rural...

13.02.2025 30

The Better India

Mervin Preethi

Class 10 Dropout From Tamil Nadu Makes Rs 12 Lakh a Year in Moringa Farming

From a school dropout to a celebrated entrepreneur, Ponnarasi’s journey with moringa farming is generating Rs 12 lakh annual revenue while...

10.02.2025 10

The Better India

Mervin Preethi

6 Incredible Ways to Experience Slow Travel in India — From Ancient Bakeries To Remote Villages

Ditch the fast-paced itineraries! These six travellers are embracing slow travel — immersing themselves in local cultures, supporting communities,...

08.02.2025 4

The Better India

Mervin Preethi

Bengaluru Family Startup Earns Rs 5.2 Cr/Year With a 100% Bio-Degradable Food Packaging Idea

Bengaluru’s Aecoz, owned by Dhanvita Sathyanand, Srinidhi Rajaram, and Bharath Sathyanand, is proving that sustainable solutions don’t have to...

05.02.2025 10

The Better India

Mervin Preethi

These Handmade Vegan Sneakers Are Empowering Disabled Designers & Promoting Sustainability

Kobsook, a sneaker brand is redefining inclusion and sustainability. From empowering differently-abled individuals as designers to crafting...

03.02.2025 2

The Better India

Mervin Preethi

Turn Your Aquarium Into a Seaweed Farm: Simple Steps To Grow Greens at Home

Ever wondered how to grow seaweed in your own home? It's a surprisingly simple process!

03.02.2025 2

The Better India

Mervin Preethi

Why This 1.8-Metre-Tall Giant Is Essential for India’s Forest Ecosystem

The gaur, a towering figure in India’s forests, is far more than just a majestic animal. Its role in maintaining ecological balance is vital to...

30.01.2025 10

The Better India

Mervin Preethi

83-YO Has Been Sweeping His Bengaluru Neighbourhood Clean for 24 Yrs!

Suryanarayan, a retired manager has been tirelessly sweeping streets, unclogging drains, and planting trees every day, proving no job is too small to...

29.01.2025 7

The Better India

Mervin Preethi

Meet the 19-YO, Who Can Read, Write & Type 400 Languages

With records, accolades, and a mission to translate Tamil’s treasures, Mahmood Akram proves the power of language knows no bounds.

29.01.2025 20

The Better India

Mervin Preethi

How a Yoga Class With Dogs Is Helping Strays Find Homes

Blending yoga with furry companions, 'Pawga' transforms wellness into a mission for animal adoption and welfare.

25.01.2025 7

The Better India

Mervin Preethi

What You Didn’t Know About Himachal’s Iconic Kullu Shawls & Chamba Rumals

Here’s a glimpse into the timeless weaving traditions of Himachal Pradesh, where art and history harmonise in the vibrant Kullu shawls and the...

25.01.2025 5

The Better India

Mervin Preethi

Meet the 63-YO Woman Behind a Rs 1 Crore Wooden Toy Venture Empowering Rural Women

After losing her husband, Kokila K rebuilt her life by founding Woodbee Toys, a company creating 110 non-toxic, sustainable wooden toys. Her story...

24.01.2025 3

The Better India

Mervin Preethi

From Everest Peaks to Record Deadlifts: Meet the Unstoppable 12-YO Making History

From the frozen Zanskar River to deadlifting 85 kg, 12-year-old Samya Maulik is breaking the mold. Her journey isn’t just about physical...

23.01.2025 10

The Better India

Mervin Preethi

One Man’s Compassionate Rescue Mission Is Saving 2000+ Children From Child Labour

Shekhar Mahajan’s 'Sahyog Care for You' has rescued over 2,788 bonded child labourers in 148 missions, providing education, rehabilitation, and the...

23.01.2025 10

The Better India

Mervin Preethi

‘A Handwritten Letter by APJ Abdul Kalam Inspired Me To Become an IPS Officer’

Tripti Bhatt, inspired by a meeting with Dr A P J Abdul Kalam in Class 9, nurtured a dream of serving the nation. From turning down offers from ISRO...

22.01.2025 7

The Better India

Mervin Preethi

‘The Roof Was Collapsing’: How 2 Friends Are Fixing Schools & Changing Lives in Tamil Nadu

In Tamil Nadu’s rural heartland, Aram Seiya Karam Koduppom (ASKK) is reshaping the future for children. Co-founded by Prthush and Kaali, ASKK...

22.01.2025 10

The Better India

Mervin Preethi

Chasing Dreams at 210 Kmph: How a 16-YO Girl Is Making a Mark in Motorsports

From an eight-year-old karting novice to India’s youngest female F4 racer, Shriya Lohia is racing past gender barriers and financial hurdles in...

20.01.2025 10

The Better India

Mervin Preethi

This Startup’s Half-Price Meal Idea Is Saving 10000+ Plates of Food From Wastage

‘Good to Grab’ is fighting climate change by reducing food waste from restaurants. By rescuing surplus meals and offering them at 50% discounts,...

19.01.2025 20

The Better India

Mervin Preethi

How Seaweed Farming Could Help India Fight Climate Change

India's coastlines hold immense potential for seaweed farming. Here’s how cultivating this 'blue carbon' resource can help protect our coasts,...

17.01.2025 10

The Better India

Mervin Preethi

This Woman Takes Solo Trips Across India & Doesn’t Spend a Rupee — Here’s How

With just two sarees, a tent, and a power bank, Saraswati Iyer set out on a bold zero-budget journey across India, proving that passion and...

16.01.2025 10

The Better India

Mervin Preethi

NEP 2020 in Odisha: What It Means for Your Child’s Education

Navigating NEP 2020? Here’s a look at the changes and how it could impact students.

16.01.2025 30

The Better India

Mervin Preethi

This Musical Instrument Is Breaking Caste Barriers & Giving People a Voice

Once a symbol of celebration turned into a tool of oppression, parai has reclaimed its legacy, breaking caste barriers and inspiring change through...

16.01.2025 20

The Better India

Mervin Preethi

3 Chennai College Students Built an App That Makes Auto Rides So Much Easier!

Frustrated by the unpredictable nature of Chennai's ‘share auto’ system, three college friends — Jaishankar, Amal, and Asfaq — decided to...

14.01.2025 10

The Better India

Mervin Preethi