Young Changemakers Lead Civic Transformation at Bengaluru's SolveCon 26 Event
In Bengaluru, citizen activism is driving significant changes to the city's civic infrastructure, with many initiatives emerging directly from classrooms. At the SolveCon 26 event organized by the city-based non-profit Reap Benefit, 1,700 changemakers from across India were recognized for their responsible interventions in society. The majority of these young minds, hailing primarily from Karnataka, focused on civic action, education, climate issues, and mental well-being within their local communities.
Shahnaaz N: Tackling Waste and Streetlight Issues Independently
Shahnaaz N, a 14-year-old class 8 student from GHS Police Colony, drew inspiration from her elder sister to address local problems. Initially working with schoolmates, she shifted to solo efforts due to team inactivity and has so far resolved four issues related to waste and streetlights.
Her first intervention occurred a year ago when garbage was being dumped near house gates. "Dogs were scattering it everywhere, causing a bad smell and unhygienic surroundings," she noted. After speaking with residents, she discovered that people discarded rubbish on roads because their work hours did not align with BBMP vehicle schedules. Taking matters into her own hands, she reported the issue to the BBMP, which responded within two days.
Shahnaaz also conducted a streetlight audit in her locality using a 15-30 minute chatbot-based tool. "I recorded the number of functioning and non-functioning lights, their placement, and their impact on safety, particularly for women and children," the Gopalpura resident explained. She faced initial backlash from neighbors who were uncooperative due to her young age, but persisted in her efforts.
Chandu A: Promoting Sustainable Alternatives and Reducing Plastic Use
Chandu A, a 20-year-old BCom final-year student at BES College, focused on waste management, reducing plastic consumption, and promoting sustainable alternatives in the community. After moving from her native Kolar to Bengaluru, she identified plastic and paper waste as serious environmental threats.
During a visit to Kadlekai Parishe last November, she observed vendors using plastic covers. In response, she initiated a campaign called 'Say No To Plastic' with her college. "We made paper bags using newspapers. As part of a GBA campaign, we successfully distributed 1,400 paper bags to vendors. By using these paper bags, they reduced the use of plastic covers to some extent," she detailed.
Maguluri Bhavishya: Combating Garbage Burning and Enhancing Green Spaces
Maguluri Bhavishya, a 15-year-old class 9 student from Whitefield, worked on tree planting and water conservation. A student of Ramagondanahalli Government School, she encountered constant smoke and odor from burning rubbish around her school compound.
With support from her school, she contacted BBMP workers to clean and beautify the area. Over the following months, she continued clean-up efforts inside the school compound, including planting activities. Originally from Andhra Pradesh, Bhavishya moved to Bengaluru at age six with her parents, who run a roadside food stall. "In my village near Ongole, I previously fought against caste discrimination in schools. Due to that, I always have the will to question the problems in society. While my parents were scared initially, now they support me," she shared.
Navyashree GB: Improving Safety and Sanitation at a Bus Stand
Navyashree GB, a 24-year-old X-ray technician, noticed in April 2025 that commuting by bus had become unsafe and risky for women at Krishnarajanagara in Mysuru. She found the KSRTC bus stand filled with filth and lacking proper lighting.
"There was no safety for women there. The washrooms for women were unusable and unclean. Taking a bus from there was very difficult. The women's waiting room turned into a storage room," she stated. Along with a team of around 50 people, Navyashree conducted surveys by speaking to female commuters to understand their needs. Following the survey, the youth team approached local MLA D Ravishankar, leading to improvements in the poor and unsafe infrastructure.
"The job is not fully done. Our team is still monitoring the bus stand every day to make sure the facilities are properly maintained," she added, emphasizing ongoing efforts.
These stories highlight the powerful impact of youth-led civic activism in Bengaluru, demonstrating how young individuals are driving tangible changes in their communities through determination and innovative approaches.
