Republic Day: Saluting the extraordinary among the ordinary

Vegetable vendor Subhashini Mistry, who saved money over two decades to build a hospital, is one of the featured Indians

Not all heroes wear capes, and yet, at the same time, not all heroes are acknowledged. Tonight, as the clock strikes twelve and India celebrates Republic Day, the Google Arts and Culture platform will pay homage to the those Indian citizens who operate heroically, but in the shadows. Google Arts and Culture has collaborated with the Unsung Foundation to share nine inspirational stories as part of a special exhibit featuring 'extraordinary lives of ordinary Indian citizens,' who have dedicated themselves to improving the lives of people around them. "India's distinct personality as a nation is reflected in the spirit of the millions of Indians who live by the motto of "good for all" sailing even through difficult surroundings."

Vegetable vendor Subhashini Mistry is one of the featured Indians, who saved money over two decades to build a hospital, so that no one else would go through what she experienced when she lost her husband. Another one is that of forest guard KM Chinappa, who single-handedly saved and expanded the Nagarhole National Reserve. An extraordinary feature is that of Chewang Norphel, who built artificial glaciers without government support in Leh, located at an altitude of 3,500 metres, to ensure farmers in the high-altitude desert have water in time for spring sowing.

What is Unsung?
UNSUNG was first published in 2007 in the form of a book. It tells the stories of seemingly ordinary people who have made extraordinary contributions to society against great personal odds. The book features black and white images by photographer Mahesh Bhat and text by journalist Anita Pratap.

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