PM Modi Hails Startup Heroes Turning Waste Into Change

What do recycled paper, buzzing bees, airborne drones, and pine tree bark have in common? In today’s India, they are all symbols of innovation, resilience, and grassroots entrepreneurship. And at the heart of this transformation is the Indian startup ecosystem—quietly revolutionizing how we live, work, and think about sustainability.

In his recent Mann Ki Baat address, Prime Minister Narendra Modi shone a spotlight on the unsung heroes of this silent revolution. With a keen eye on climate-conscious practices and inclusive development, the Prime Minister applauded several startups and initiatives that are driving change, especially those rooted in local communities and environmental consciousness.

Let’s take a deep dive into the stories and ideas that are shaping a new India—one innovation at a time.

Turning the Page on Waste: The Paper Revolution

Across India's landfills, a staggering 25% of the waste is paper. But now, startups from Visakhapatnam to Jalna are not just flipping the script—they're rewriting it altogether. These enterprising ventures are using 100% recycled materials to manufacture packaging rolls and paper cores, transforming what was once waste into a sustainable business model.

Prime Minister Modi rightly referred to these young ventures as the "guardians of the environment." Their work serves as a testament to how environmental responsibility can go hand-in-hand with entrepreneurship.

Consider this: recycling just one tonne of paper saves 17 trees and thousands of litres of water. The impact is monumental, and yet, the change begins at a humble starting point—segregation. The Prime Minister encouraged citizens to take the first step by separating paper waste at home and in offices, nudging society towards a culture of everyday responsibility.

“Every small act counts,” he said. “When we segregate paper, we’re not just managing waste—we’re nurturing trees, saving water, and paving the path to a greener tomorrow.”

The Sweet Buzz of Change: India’s Honey Boom

From paper to pollen, PM Modi’s address moved to another inspiring chapter—India’s honey revolution. On the occasion of World Bee Day, he shared how India’s honey production has nearly doubled in the last decade, rising from about 70–75 thousand metric tonnes to 1.25 lakh metric tonnes annually.

This transformation didn’t happen by chance. Under the National Beekeeping and Honey Mission, thousands of farmers have been trained, equipped, and connected directly to markets—helping them diversify income and embrace climate-resilient practices.

One story that stands out is that of the tribal farmers from Korea district in Chhattisgarh, who created a local organic honey brand named ‘Son Honey’. Today, it’s available on several digital platforms, serving as a sweet reminder of how grassroots branding and e-commerce can empower indigenous communities.

Then there’s the ‘Bee Friends’ group in Pune, which has taken up the unique task of relocating bee colonies safely, ensuring harmony between urban development and biodiversity.

These stories highlight how honey is not just a product anymore—it’s becoming a symbol of sustainable livelihood, innovation, and coexistence.

Drone Didis: Rural India’s Sky Warriors

Perhaps one of the most powerful images from the Prime Minister’s address was that of women in Sangareddy district, Telangana, operating drones over fields. Dubbed affectionately as ‘Drone Didis’ by their communities, these women are pioneering an agricultural revolution from the skies.

Traditionally seen as labor-intensive, time-consuming work, spraying pesticides over large tracts of farmland is now being done with precision and ease—thanks to drone technology. But the true game-changer? Women are at the helm of this tech-powered transformation.

In a country where gender gaps in agriculture and technology still persist, these women are breaking barriers and stereotypes alike.

“People call them Sky Warriors,” the PM shared proudly. “They are the face of a self-reliant and tech-driven rural India.”

This is more than just a story about drones—it’s about digital inclusion, rural empowerment, and redefining who can be a technologist in India.

Turning Bark Into Beauty: The Art of Bagette

In the hilly town of Haldwani, Uttarakhand, polio survivor Jeevan Joshi is crafting a legacy—one piece of bark at a time. Using the dry bark of chir pine trees, he creates stunning handicrafts through an art form he calls ‘Bagette’.

For most, dry pine bark might appear useless or even messy. But for Joshi, it's a canvas. His work doesn’t just capture beauty—it celebrates heritage, nature, and resilience.

Describing him as a “living inspiration,” PM Modi highlighted how Joshi’s story is not just about creativity, but about turning adversity into artistry and waste into wonder.

Operation Sindoor: A Patriotic Pulse

Shifting from local heroes to national valor, PM Modi also touched upon Operation Sindoor, a military operation where Indian forces took decisive action against terrorist hideouts. More than a strategic victory, the operation became a symbol of national unity and pride.

In the days that followed, tricolour rallies lit up cities, children painted patriotic scenes, and citizens across age groups pledged their support to initiatives like ‘Vocal for Local’ and ‘Wed in India’.

The Prime Minister framed it as more than a military strike—it was a cultural moment. A moment that reaffirmed India’s resolve to be self-reliant, proud, and participatory.

Made in India: A National Mission

In closing, the Prime Minister urged citizens to embrace the ‘Made in India’ movement—not just as a slogan, but as a national mission. From startups repurposing waste to beekeepers bringing organic brands to life, every effort adds up.

“This is not just about economic self-reliance,” he said. “It’s about nation-building.”

India’s future, as painted in the Prime Minister’s Mann Ki Baat, is one where every citizen is a changemaker, every innovation matters, and every local initiative echoes the global mission of sustainability and inclusion.

These stories reflect more than just government schemes or startup ideas. They mirror a mindset shift—one that’s deeply Indian, deeply rooted, and undeniably forward-looking. Whether it’s through drones, honey, or paper, change is buzzing in every corner of the country.

And as India marches ahead, it’s these grassroots startups and initiatives—powered by ordinary people doing extraordinary things—that are lighting the way.