Indian History is witness to many remarkable men and women who have dedicated their lives to the cause of serving and uplifting the society. The most revered amongst them is undoubtedly Mahatma Gandhi, a great spiritual and political leader who not just fought for India's independence through non-violent means but also sought to eradicate social evils like caste distinctions and foster equality among all. There have been activists like the saintly Vinoba Bhave who have been successful in bringing about radical changes in society through socialist movements like Sarvodaya and the Bhoodan Movement.
In post-independent times, traditional ideas about social change and political protest have undergone a revolution. The Gandhian form of Satyagraha or nonviolent protest through marches, meetings and other passive forms of protest is still popular. Social Activists like Medha Patkar, Baba Amte, Aruna Roy, Arvind Kejriwal, Sunderlal Bahuguna and Anna Hazare are legendary in their respective fields.
Social activists in India have worked towards uplifting standards of living and to combat communalism, female foeticide and for women's empowerment. Some are working to combat drugs or alcohol abuse, AIDS and to promote education for the masses and ecological conservation. Some of the more social movements are the Narmada Bachao Andolon, the Chipko Movement and the Right to Information Movement which promotes transparency in the workings of the State.
A number of NGOs and volunteer organizations have come up all over India. While there are a plethora of celebrity-espoused designer causes, there are also genuine organizations and worthy individuals who are committed to the cause of making the world a better place to live.
