Saleha Khan (21) from Govandi was on the verge of dropping out of school when a revelation struck her. With concerns surrounding women's safety in Govandi, her parents decided to discontinue her schooling. However, she believed there was more to life than living under the fear of social pressures

“I convinced my parents to let me study and give me a chance to prove myself. Upon agreement, I was enrolled in a school where I completed grades 9 and 10, in 2018. Post matric, what transpired was a life-altering event for me and my family,” Saleha tells Midday

With her relentless desire to pursue education, Saleha became a recipient of the Savitribai Phule Award at the state level. When she was headed to the award ceremony, she decided to take her father along who was left speechless by her daughter’s outstanding achievements. Thus, began her journey as a changemaker who mobilises slum girls to attend school and also creates awareness on mesntrual health. Learn more about her story here

Armed with a scientific temper, Antop Hill-based Pooja Kamleskumar Jaiswal's (15) conceptualised a soil moisture sensor to revolutionize plant care. Reflecting on her innovation, she shares with Midday, "Just like humans require balanced nutrition for survival, plants thrive on the right amount of water. Any imbalance can spell disaster for their well-being, impacting not only their lives but also our environment on a larger scale." 

The output was an ingenious automated plant watering system that she devised in 2022. Equipped with a sensor that can gauge soil’s moisture needs, Pooja's invention ensures plants receive precisely the hydration they need. This breakthrough, nurtured under the TECHVISION project, embodies her passion for technological innovation. Learn more about her story here

Despite losing her father to a train accident, Lakshmi Rambalak Mendon (18) from Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar Nagar, Cuffe Parade has not given up on her dreams. Her goal is to make beauty affordable for underprivileged women “Many industries work only for privileged women who can afford quality products. That's not who I am targeting. I want to educate women living in slums on beauty enhancers like facials, pedicures, manicures, spas, etc" 

She continues, “I believe that when you look good, you feel good and that is when you perform well. Thus, I want these women to shed inhibitions. I admit that I have to work very hard to raise awareness about beauty products as these women find creams to be harmful." She also plans to provide chemical-free, homemade products for her customers so that they know what she is providing is safe. Learn more about her story here