India, Oct. 10 -- SMPL

Agra (Uttar Pradesh) [India], October 10: For over two decades, Punit Asthana has worked with India's most marginalised communities--especially Dalit and backward groups--helping build schools, toilets, libraries, and livelihoods in places long left behind. This October, that journey was recognised when he received the Mahatma Award 2025 for Social Good and Impact, supported by the UNDP and the Aditya Birla Group.

Asthana's path began far from the halls of policy. Raised in Agra by a single mother, he learned early what resilience looks like. What started as a modest effort to support neighbourhood children has grown into a movement reaching more than 50,000 people across Uttar Pradesh. His guiding belief is simpl...