Hello, I am Manya Harsha, a 15‑year‑old changemaker, green innovator, author, and proud Bengaluru teen who has been on a relentless eco‑crusade since I was four years old. Yes, you heard that right – at the tender age of four I looked up at the sky, felt the fragile whisper of the wind, and decided that I would spend my life protecting the planet that gives us everything. From that moment, the seed of activism was planted deep within me, and it has grown into a forest of actions, ideas, and dreams that I am thrilled to share with you on this channel. My story is not a tale of super‑human feats; it is a testament to the power of one small voice that refuses to stay silent, and to the incredible community that has rallied around that voice to turn tiny steps into massive change.

I founded Sunshine – Children for Change when I was just eight, inspired by my grandmother V. Rudramma, who taught me that nature should always be respected, protected, and celebrated. What began as a simple school project quickly blossomed into a nationwide movement. Under the Sunshine banner we have planted, nurted, and distributed roughly 40,000 saplings across Bengaluru, the rest of India, and even beyond our borders. Each sapling represents a promise – a promise that we will not stand by while our forests disappear, that we will give future generations a greener world to inherit. In addition to planting trees, we have gathered about 100 kg of waste from streets, riverbanks, and schoolyards, turning what would have been pollution into resources. We have also handmade and tossed over 10,000 seed bombs during my travels across the country, each little ball of earth a guerrilla gardener waiting to burst into life.

But planting trees is only one piece of the puzzle. Sustainability, for me, is about re‑imagining everything we use, from the moment it is created to the moment it is discarded. That is why I launched The Paper Power Project in 2020, during the lockdown, when I discovered that kitchen waste – carrot peels, onion skins, garlic husks, corn cobs, pea shells, coconut husks, coriander stems, grass clings, peanut shells, orange and lemon rinds – could be transformed into beautiful, usable paper. I even experimented with denim scraps, proving that waste has no limits when creativity is given a chance. This project has not only reduced waste but also provided an eco‑friendly alternative to traditional paper for schools, artists, and everyday users.

Another cornerstone of my work is Grandma’s Green Weave, a heartfelt tribute to my grandmother’s legacy. With the help of volunteers and community members, we have upcycled 2,000 sarees and 300 bedspreads into 20,000 reusable bags that are now being used by street vendors across Bengaluru, replacing single‑use plastic and giving these beautiful textiles a second life. The bags are not just functional; they are a moving story of love, tradition, and sustainability that travels with every purchase.

Education is the catalyst for lasting change, which is why I created the Sunshine Fortnightly Environment Magazine. As its chief editor, I have overseen the production and distribution of over 2,000 copies to schools, libraries, and young readers, sparking conversations about climate action, biodiversity, and sustainable living. The magazine has become a platform for young voices to be heard, and it travels far beyond the pages, inspiring countless children to take their own steps toward a greener future.

My journey has been recognized at both national and international levels. In 2023 I received the International Young Eco‑Hero Award from Action For Nature, and the Green Childhood Voice of the Year award from We Naturalists. I was honored as a Water Hero by the Ministry of Jal Shakti in 2020, and I have been featured on the social media handles of UN Water for my contributions to water conservation. The EDN Rising Star Award on India’s 75th Independence Day, the Humanitarian Excellence Award, and the title of Youngest Poet of India (India Book of Records, 2019) are just a few of the accolades that remind me that dedication and passion do not go unnoticed. I hold a Grandmaster title from the Asia Book of Records, have been listed in the Karnataka Achievers Book of Records, and am recognized as the Youngest Author in Kannada by the India Book of Records. Most recently, my work earned a Notable Award at the 2024 BowSeat Ocean Awareness Contest for the song “Children as Defenders,” and I have set six world records with my book Nature Our Future.

Speaking of books, I have authored nine nature‑themed books, each woven with stories, poems, and lessons that aim to instill environmental values in young minds. From The Secret of the Seed to Whispers of the Wild, my writings have been used in classrooms, libraries, and homes to spark curiosity and compassion for the natural world. Writing is my way of planting ideas, and I hope each page encourages you to think, to act, and to dream of a better planet.

Beyond awards and numbers, my true motivation lies in the simple moments: watching a sapling I helped plant sway in the breeze, seeing a child’s eyes light up when they learn that a pencil can be made from an old wrapper, or hearing a vendor thank us for a reusable bag that will last for years. Those moments remind me that change is not a distant, abstract concept – it is a collection of everyday choices, repeated with intention.

That is why I regularly conduct campaigns, Recyclothon workshops, and plantation drives in schools across Bengaluru. I travel from one classroom to another, bringing seed bombs, recycled‑paper notebooks, and interactive sessions that make climate education fun and accessible. My goal is to embed climate awareness into the curriculum, to empower teachers with tools, and to give students the confidence to lead their own projects. If you are a teacher, a student, or simply someone who cares about the future, I invite you to join this movement. Subscribe to my channel, share these videos, and let’s turn awareness into action together.

This channel is a space where we celebrate the small wins, learn from the challenges, and keep the conversation going. You will find videos about my projects – from the making of vegetable paper to the story behind Grandma’s Green Weave – as well as interviews with other young changemakers, DIY tutorials, and reflections on the beauty of nature that still surrounds us. Together, we will explore how each of us can be a guardian of the Earth, because the planet is not a commodity; it is a trust we hold for future generations.

Thank you for stopping by, for reading these words, and for being part of this journey. Remember, you don’t need to wait for a superhero – you are the hero we have been waiting for. Let’s plant hope, spread love, and build a greener, kinder world – one step at a time. Stay inspired, stay engaged, and keep shining. 🌱

Subscribe, like, and share – because together we are the sunshine that will change the world.