As 2024 comes to an end, it’s a fitting time to reflect on the changemakers who left an indelible mark on India this year. Among them are
who, in a society that often overlooks the contributions of the elderly, have stepped up to inspire and transform their communities. Through their wisdom, resilience, and determination, these individuals have led grassroots movements, preserved traditions, mentored the next generation, and tackled pressing social issues.
Here are the stories of 10 remarkable senior citizens who turned their golden years into a beacon of hope and positive change for India.
At 17, Laljibhai Prajapati, now 69, faced the devastating loss of his vision due to glaucoma. But what could have been a barrier became a springboard for change. Determined to live a life of purpose, he learned braille, earned a degree in arts, and went on to establish Shri Navchetan Andhjan Mandal in 1997.
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The organisation has since become a beacon of hope, providing shelter, healthcare, and rehabilitation for visually impaired elderly individuals in Gujarat. His trust also runs schools that embrace inclusivity for children with disabilities. Even with a National Award for creating a barrier-free environment, Laljibhai insists there are miles to go.
Medicines, food, clothing and a comfortable atmosphere are provided to the senior citizens at Shri Navchetan Andhjan Mandal
Read the full story
After retiring, 76-year-old teacher Dwijendra Nath Ghosh dedicated himself to uplifting his community in Basantpur, West Bengal. In 2010, he founded Basantpur Junior High School to educate children from underprivileged families. With scarce resources and no permanent teaching staff, Ghosh has fought to keep the school open for 140 eager students. “The glimmer of hope for a better future in the eyes of the children is all the salary I need,” he says with quiet pride.
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Dwijendra Nath Ghosh founded Basantpur Junior High School to educate children from underprivileged families
Read the full story .
At 87, retired anesthesiologist Dr Maya Tandon is proof that a single moment can inspire a lifetime of change. After saving a photographer’s life following an accident, she realised the importance of equipping people with lifesaving skills.
In 1985, she established Sahayta Trust, an organisation that has since trained over 1,33,000 individuals in CPR and accident response. “His (the photographer’s) words and appreciation made me realise the importance of offering such courses,” she recalls. Today, her initiative continues to create a tangible impact, particularly in rural areas.
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With an aim to change the scenario of road safety in India, Dr Maya started the Sahayta Trust
Read the full story
In 1980, inspired by the plight of flood-stricken communities in West Bengal, Mohammed Abdul Wohab and Sabitri Pal founded the SHIS Foundation (Southern Health Improvement Samity) to bring healthcare to the Sundarbans’ remotest islands. They launched the Boat Clinic, a mobile healthcare system that travels across 30 islands, offering essential services to underserved communities. Each boat is equipped with medical beds, an X-ray unit, and a team of professionals. Over 43 years, the clinic has treated over 8 lakh patients, addressing everything from tuberculosis to maternal health.
Patients across 30 islands of the Sundarbans are treated by the doctors onboard the boat clinic.
Read the full story .
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“The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is now,” says 60-year-old Jagdish Chandra Kuniyal, a farmer from Sirkot, Uttarakhand. After losing his father at 18, he dedicated his life to transforming barren land by planting over one lakh trees, including deodar, seesham, and rhododendron. His efforts revived underground water levels and inspired villagers to embrace tree planting.
“I am leaving behind a better world for the next generation,” he says. Jagdish’s work has created jobs, improved sustainability, and fostered a culture of environmental stewardship in his community.
Jagdish Chandra Kuniyal has planted over one lakh trees in Sirkot.
Read the full story .
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At 63, Mercy Rego found a new zest for life by reconnecting with her childhood friends. In 2022, she met her schoolmates after decades, starting with a small trip to Bengaluru. They spent days laughing, dancing, and reminiscing, realising their bond was as strong as ever. Encouraged by this, the group planned a bigger trip to Malaysia in 2023, where they explored new places, took daring cable car rides, and simply enjoyed each other’s company. Now a professor in Mangaluru, Mercy says, “Don’t lose your youth. Don’t forget to enjoy the present. You don’t know what tomorrow holds.”
“Money will come, houses will come, love will come and everything will fall into place. But don’t lose your youth.” – Mercy Rego
Read the full story .
“Sometimes people ask me why I need to work at this age, but there is no age limit to achieving your dreams.” At 64, Usha Shrotiya turned a personal challenge into an entrepreneurial success.
When her daughter-in-law was diagnosed with gestational diabetes, Usha modified her traditional gond ke laddoo recipe, replacing jaggery with dates to make a healthier alternative. This sparked the idea of creating snack bars that retained the essence of traditional recipes while catering to modern lifestyles. In January 2024, she launched ‘Mama Nourish’, now supplying corporate giants like Netflix and Google.
Usha Shrotiya launched ‘Mama Nourish’ in 2024 and created snack bars that retained the essence of traditional recipes
Read the full story .
Mukta Singh always admired the elegance of older women, like her grandmother in cotton Bengali sarees, but found her own self-care slipping as she balanced motherhood and career. A turning point came when she stopped colouring her hair while caring for her ailing mother, embracing her natural beauty. At a wedding, her metallic grey saree caught the eye of a designer, propelling her into modelling at 58 — an age when many women are told to fade into the background.
Despite harsh social media criticism, Mukta’s confidence earned her recognition and opportunities with top designers championing inclusivity. Now 61, she says, “A woman is expected to take care of the family, but that shouldn’t come at the cost of completely undermining and neglecting yourself.”
“I promised myself to carry my greys beautifully. no longer deprive myself, and I’m glad I am fulfilling my dreams.” – Mukta Singh
Read the full story .
For years, 72-year-old Ashok Gade from Maharashtra’s Jalgaon district faced losses in banana farming due to fluctuating prices and the perishable nature of the crop. Determined to find a solution, he and his wife, Kusum, began experimenting with value-added products like chips, laddus, and their most successful creation — banana biscuits. This innovation earned them a government patent, boosting demand across India.
“We do not sell raw bananas anymore,” smiles Ashok, who now collaborates with 50 farmers to produce 350 kg of biscuits weekly, earning Rs 50 lakh annually.
Ashok and his wife Kusum make biscuits from bananas.
Read the full story .
In 2012, Madhav Damle turned a painful experience into a mission to bring joy to others. While running an old age home, he saw the devastating effects of loneliness on seniors, including one resident’s suicide attempt after an argument with his children. This led Madhav to start ‘Happy Seniors’, a matchmaking agency for the elderly, focused on live-in relationships.
The Pune-based initiative has helped over 75 seniors find companionship, offering them a second chance at happiness. Love indeed has no boundaries. People age; love does not.
Asawari Kulkarni and Anil Yardi have been together for nine years now. They met through Happy Seniors, a matchmaking agency for senior citizens, headed by Madhav Damle
Read the full story .
Edited by Khushi Arora
Here are the stories of 10 remarkable senior citizens who turned their golden years into a beacon of hope and positive change for India.
1. Laljibhai Prajapati
At 17, Laljibhai Prajapati, now 69, faced the devastating loss of his vision due to glaucoma. But what could have been a barrier became a springboard for change. Determined to live a life of purpose, he learned braille, earned a degree in arts, and went on to establish Shri Navchetan Andhjan Mandal in 1997.
Advertisement
The organisation has since become a beacon of hope, providing shelter, healthcare, and rehabilitation for visually impaired elderly individuals in Gujarat. His trust also runs schools that embrace inclusivity for children with disabilities. Even with a National Award for creating a barrier-free environment, Laljibhai insists there are miles to go.
Medicines, food, clothing and a comfortable atmosphere are provided to the senior citizens at Shri Navchetan Andhjan Mandal
Read the full story
2. Dwijendra Nath Ghosh
After retiring, 76-year-old teacher Dwijendra Nath Ghosh dedicated himself to uplifting his community in Basantpur, West Bengal. In 2010, he founded Basantpur Junior High School to educate children from underprivileged families. With scarce resources and no permanent teaching staff, Ghosh has fought to keep the school open for 140 eager students. “The glimmer of hope for a better future in the eyes of the children is all the salary I need,” he says with quiet pride.
Advertisement
Dwijendra Nath Ghosh founded Basantpur Junior High School to educate children from underprivileged families
Read the full story .
3. Dr Maya Tandon
At 87, retired anesthesiologist Dr Maya Tandon is proof that a single moment can inspire a lifetime of change. After saving a photographer’s life following an accident, she realised the importance of equipping people with lifesaving skills.
In 1985, she established Sahayta Trust, an organisation that has since trained over 1,33,000 individuals in CPR and accident response. “His (the photographer’s) words and appreciation made me realise the importance of offering such courses,” she recalls. Today, her initiative continues to create a tangible impact, particularly in rural areas.
Advertisement
With an aim to change the scenario of road safety in India, Dr Maya started the Sahayta Trust
Read the full story
4. Mohammed Abdul Wohab and Sabitri Pal
In 1980, inspired by the plight of flood-stricken communities in West Bengal, Mohammed Abdul Wohab and Sabitri Pal founded the SHIS Foundation (Southern Health Improvement Samity) to bring healthcare to the Sundarbans’ remotest islands. They launched the Boat Clinic, a mobile healthcare system that travels across 30 islands, offering essential services to underserved communities. Each boat is equipped with medical beds, an X-ray unit, and a team of professionals. Over 43 years, the clinic has treated over 8 lakh patients, addressing everything from tuberculosis to maternal health.
Patients across 30 islands of the Sundarbans are treated by the doctors onboard the boat clinic.
Read the full story .
Advertisement
5. Jagdish Chandra Kuniyal
“The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is now,” says 60-year-old Jagdish Chandra Kuniyal, a farmer from Sirkot, Uttarakhand. After losing his father at 18, he dedicated his life to transforming barren land by planting over one lakh trees, including deodar, seesham, and rhododendron. His efforts revived underground water levels and inspired villagers to embrace tree planting.
“I am leaving behind a better world for the next generation,” he says. Jagdish’s work has created jobs, improved sustainability, and fostered a culture of environmental stewardship in his community.
Jagdish Chandra Kuniyal has planted over one lakh trees in Sirkot.
Read the full story .
Advertisement
6. Mercy Rego and friends
At 63, Mercy Rego found a new zest for life by reconnecting with her childhood friends. In 2022, she met her schoolmates after decades, starting with a small trip to Bengaluru. They spent days laughing, dancing, and reminiscing, realising their bond was as strong as ever. Encouraged by this, the group planned a bigger trip to Malaysia in 2023, where they explored new places, took daring cable car rides, and simply enjoyed each other’s company. Now a professor in Mangaluru, Mercy says, “Don’t lose your youth. Don’t forget to enjoy the present. You don’t know what tomorrow holds.”
“Money will come, houses will come, love will come and everything will fall into place. But don’t lose your youth.” – Mercy Rego
Read the full story .
7. Usha Shrotiya
“Sometimes people ask me why I need to work at this age, but there is no age limit to achieving your dreams.” At 64, Usha Shrotiya turned a personal challenge into an entrepreneurial success.
When her daughter-in-law was diagnosed with gestational diabetes, Usha modified her traditional gond ke laddoo recipe, replacing jaggery with dates to make a healthier alternative. This sparked the idea of creating snack bars that retained the essence of traditional recipes while catering to modern lifestyles. In January 2024, she launched ‘Mama Nourish’, now supplying corporate giants like Netflix and Google.
Usha Shrotiya launched ‘Mama Nourish’ in 2024 and created snack bars that retained the essence of traditional recipes
Read the full story .
8. Mukta Singh
Mukta Singh always admired the elegance of older women, like her grandmother in cotton Bengali sarees, but found her own self-care slipping as she balanced motherhood and career. A turning point came when she stopped colouring her hair while caring for her ailing mother, embracing her natural beauty. At a wedding, her metallic grey saree caught the eye of a designer, propelling her into modelling at 58 — an age when many women are told to fade into the background.
Despite harsh social media criticism, Mukta’s confidence earned her recognition and opportunities with top designers championing inclusivity. Now 61, she says, “A woman is expected to take care of the family, but that shouldn’t come at the cost of completely undermining and neglecting yourself.”
“I promised myself to carry my greys beautifully. no longer deprive myself, and I’m glad I am fulfilling my dreams.” – Mukta Singh
Read the full story .
9. Ashok Gade
For years, 72-year-old Ashok Gade from Maharashtra’s Jalgaon district faced losses in banana farming due to fluctuating prices and the perishable nature of the crop. Determined to find a solution, he and his wife, Kusum, began experimenting with value-added products like chips, laddus, and their most successful creation — banana biscuits. This innovation earned them a government patent, boosting demand across India.
“We do not sell raw bananas anymore,” smiles Ashok, who now collaborates with 50 farmers to produce 350 kg of biscuits weekly, earning Rs 50 lakh annually.
Ashok and his wife Kusum make biscuits from bananas.
Read the full story .
10. Madhav Damle
In 2012, Madhav Damle turned a painful experience into a mission to bring joy to others. While running an old age home, he saw the devastating effects of loneliness on seniors, including one resident’s suicide attempt after an argument with his children. This led Madhav to start ‘Happy Seniors’, a matchmaking agency for the elderly, focused on live-in relationships.
The Pune-based initiative has helped over 75 seniors find companionship, offering them a second chance at happiness. Love indeed has no boundaries. People age; love does not.
Asawari Kulkarni and Anil Yardi have been together for nine years now. They met through Happy Seniors, a matchmaking agency for senior citizens, headed by Madhav Damle
Read the full story .
Edited by Khushi Arora