Book:
10 Indian Champions Who Are Fighting To Save The Planet
by Bijal Vachharajani and Radha Rangarajan:
About the Book:
This is not a textbook. It is a collection of 10 real-life stories of ordinary Indians who became extraordinary environmental heroes. Written for children and teenagers, but inspiring for adults too, the book proves that you don't need to be a scientist or a minister to save the planet - you just need to be a concerned citizen.
The language is very simple, conversational and powerful. Each chapter is beautifully illustrated by different artists, which makes it feel like 10 different storybooks in one.
The 10 Champions - What the book covers:
The book covers all aspects of our environment - water, forests, wildlife, air and waste.
1. Parineeta Dandekar - The River Champion. The chapter you shared. From Nashik, she fell in love with the Godavari river. At just 14, she called the Pollution Control Board to complain about river pollution. Now she works with SANDRP and fights against destructive dams and protects river ecosystems.
2. Jadav Payeng - The Forest Man of India. A man who single-handedly grew a 550-hectare forest on a barren sandbar in Assam.
3. Saalumarada Thimmakka - The mother who planted 385 banyan trees when she had no children of her own.
4. Rohini Chaturvedi & others who work on waste, wildlife, oceans, and climate change.
Each story follows the same powerful pattern: Childhood Connection -> The Moment They Decided to Act -> The Struggles -> The Impact.
Strengths of the book:
1. Inspiring, Not Depressing: Most books on climate change scare us. This book gives us hope. It shows solutions.
2. Citizen Activism: The biggest lesson from Parineeta's story is what her father told her - "Tell them you are a citizen, that's all." It teaches kids that being a citizen is a superpower.
3. Deep Research, Simple Words: Authors explain complex things like Environmental Clearance, dam reservoirs, siltation, and water democracy in a way a 12-year-old can understand.
4. Truly Indian: It talks about our own rivers like Godavari, our own forests, and our own problems. So we can relate to it instantly.
Who should read it?
Perfect for students from Class 5 to Class 10, for school speeches, essays, book reviews, and for any parent who wants their child to love nature.
Final Verdict:
It is a MUST-READ. In a world of superheroes like Marvel, this book gives us 10 real superheroes.
Rating: 5 / 5 Stars
It will make you ask - "If they can do it, what can I do for my river, my tree, my street?"
Apeksha R. Tandel
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