Sunita Narayan, an internationally recognized environmentalist and political activist, is committed to promoting sustainable development in India. She is currently Director of Center for Science and Environment, New Delhi and Director of Society for Environmental Communications.

She is the publisher of Down to Earth magazine, which sheds light on environmental threats facing India as well as the rest of the world.

Sunita Narayan is the eldest of four sisters and was born in New Delhi to Raj and Usha Narayan. Her father was a freedom fighter and established an export business in handicrafts after India's independence.

Sunita was only eight years old when she died. Sunitha's mother took over the business and continued to support the family. Sunitha, the eldest of the sisters, took care of her family responsibilities from an early age.

Determined to succeed in studies. After graduating from Delhi University in 1980-83, Sunita Narayan started working in the environment sector and was excited about the opportunities.

Sunitha Narayan met Karthikeya, son of eminent scientist Vikram, in the 1980s. He offered her a job as a research assistant at the Vikram Sabai Institute for Development and Research in Ahmedabad. Since then, Sunita could not stop.

Sunita Narayan enjoyed her work in the environment and decided to make it her career. Sunita Narayan works on projects that reduce air, land and water pollution, wildlife conservation and sustainable use of natural resources.

Sunitha and her team from the Center for Science and Environment have implemented rainwater harvesting systems for many villages in India over the years. Sunitha and her team have changed the way water is managed in India through their rigorous research and innovative applications.

Sunitha was able to pressurize the government to pass legislation to establish an authority and monitoring body for wildlife conservation. India's tiger population is declining at an alarming rate.

Sunita Narayan is the author of several publications, Towards Green Villages and Global Warming in an Equal World: A Case Study of Environmental Colonialism and Green Politics.

Sunita Narayan received the Padma Shri from the Government of India in 2005 for her outstanding contribution to environment and sustainable development. The University of Calcutta also awarded her an Honorary Doctor of Science in 2009.

Sunita Narayan has a lot to teach us. Even though sustainable development was not common in India in the 1980s, Sunita Narayan took up the challenge to raise awareness and improve the lives of Indians.

It's okay to take on new challenges and take a different path. Success belongs to those who dare to dream and Sunita Narayan has proved to be a determined person to change the Indian climate. She succeeded in all her endeavors.