An Ex-ISRO Scientist Helping Thousands Live More Sustainably

Pankti Pandey spent the early years of her career at ISRO, building the future through science. But some of the values that shaped her life came much earlier, from her grandmother, who taught her that every resource has value. Years later, as she prepared to become a mother, those lessons returned with a new purpose.

Wondering what kind of world she would leave behind for her daughter, Pankti began making small changes at home. She started composting kitchen waste, carrying cloth bags to the market, recycling whatever she could, and reducing plastic in her daily life. While many questioned these choices, Pankti believed that lasting change begins with everyday habits. As she puts it, "People often choose convenience because that's what the world encourages... But change doesn't come overnight. It starts with one small habit."

Those small habits soon inspired others. Neighbours began adopting similar practices, and what started in one home gradually grew into a community movement. In 2021, Pankti founded Zero Waste Adda, a platform that makes sustainable living simple and practical. Today, it has reached over 4.5 lakh Indians. In her own community, 100 families compost every day, over 80% of homes generate their own solar electricity, and more than 16,000 kg of plastic has been diverted from landfills over the last four years.

For Pankti, the journey has always been about starting where you are. "I strongly believe that change always begins at home. So if we want to change the world, we have to change ourselves first. And if we want a better future for our kids, we have to change our habits today."

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