All for a worthy cause!

This Andheri-based organisation has been working with women from lesser-privileged backgrounds. Through its garments co-operative and Asli Foods (for packed lunches), Creative Handicrafts has benefitted over 700 women in the last year alone. A member of the World Fair Trade Organisation, the organisation has now spread its wings over international waters too. 51-year-old Lalita Pawar, a beneficiary of Creative Handicrafts, says, "I have been a part of Creative Handicrafts for 17 years now. Back then, I had a lot of financial constraints at home. But the pay from Creative Handicrafts improved my situation."

Having focused on rural and residential energy independence in its earlier avatar as Apni Beejlee, Earthyantra is now looking towards the commercial sectors of the city. Earthyantra provides rooftop solar energy solutions, audits and eco-labelling as well as dry and wet waste recycling. Siddharth AS, Founder of Earthyantra, says, "We see a huge gap in the demand and supply in the industrial belts of the city. As a marketing partner to the service providers of solar power technologies, our strength in harnessing the best solutions to cater to the needs of the customer will hold us in good stead."

Garbage Busters is an initiative to urge people to take responsibility for cleanliness. Oshiwara-based Lait Vasisht, who started with cleaning up his vicinity has now moved on to restaurants that have a major role in messing up their surroundings. "The objective is to inspire everybody through our work and to join hands and do something bigger and better," adds Vasisht.