As we prepare to celebrate India’s 77th Independence day next week, we find ourselves compelled to pay tribute to the individuals from the virtual world who are making a difference with their work- “The Instagram Influencers”. In a world increasingly connected through digital platforms, these Indian social media influencers have become catalysts for change, inspiring and empowering millions of people with their creativity, authenticity, and commitment to their passions. 

Whether it is in the field of  entertainment, women's rights, environment, sustainable fashion, food and travel, these Indian influencers have transcended boundaries with a large body of work and personal growth. At the same time, they have witnessed profound professional growth  in the form of lucrative collab with brands, film offers and the opportunity to add jobs in the resource market. 

Therefore, this Independence Day, it is only fitting to recognize the valuable contribution of Indian social media influencers who are not just doing great work domestically, but also making an impact on international platforms. 

Prajakta Koli or mostlysane

Prajakta Koli needs no introduction. She is a fairly known Indian social media influencer and her YouTube Channel “MostlySane'' is one of the most subscribed channels in the country today. Her journey in showbiz started as a radio jockey and content creator. With youthful and relatable content, she became a popular Indian influencer and content creator and later progressed into acting. Since 2020, Prajakta has acted in movies and web shows and has successful collabs with brands. 

However, the biggest differentiator factor that makes Prajakta Koli stand out is that she has used her popularity by lending her name to several social initiatives. For example, in 2016, she started a social media campaign for World Mental Health Day. She is also an advocate of Body Positivity and in 2018 she was invited to the UN headquarters on the occasion of the International Day of Tolerance as part of YouTube’s program “Creators for Change”. Earlier this year, she was one of the six content creators globally to be invited to attend the World Economic Forum held in Davos. During the event, she participated in discussions around critical issues such as climate change, social justice and global health care. 

Aakash Ranison or aakashranison

Aakash Ranison describes himself as a “Climate Optimist”. As an author, traveler and a content creator, his primary objective in life is to simplify climate change for ordinary people so that they can embark on a sustainable lifestyle. Anyone who wishes to learn more about climate change and how to adopt a simple and waste free lifestyle, should follow this Indian social media influencer from Indore, Madhya Pradesh. 

His Instagram page is full of visually stunning content , which not only gives insight into his travels, but also educates people about the warnings of climate change and global warming. As a climate change influencer, Ranison’s biggest contribution is to simplify the dialogue around global warming. Most debate and conversation about climate change is full of heavy jargons and explanations which ordinary people don't understand. Through his writing and his page on Instagram, this Indian influencer is spreading awareness about climate change by not only simplifying it, but also sustainable ways to lead life. 

Vani Murthy or wormrani

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Waste from our homes that reach the landfills at the outskirts of urban areas are notorious for polluting the air. They are one of the biggest contributors to climate change and deadly smog that engulf some of the biggest cities in India. Bothered by the urban waste management system, Vani Murthy or Worm Rani started creating compost at home and even started teaching young people to do the same. With 300K followers on Instagram, this Indian influencer posts videos about waste management and how to do it comfortably at home. Her videos are not only informative, but also impart valuable ideas that people can easily follow. For example, how to conduct a waste free wedding, or how to rent cutlery for an event are themes of her videos. 

These are valuable information which is very much doable, however, often people do not have insight. Composting may sound like a lot of work, however, the tips and tricks shared by her are very easy and can be easily followed by anyone with intent. Through her videos, this Indian social media influencer is spreading awareness across the board. Composting is known to reduce pollution, helps create fertilizers and even returns nutrients in the soil. Vani is indeed an environment warrior and her army consists of wiggly worms. 

Laxmi Agarwal or thelaxmiagarwal 

Recipient of the International Women of Courage Award  by Michelle Obama, Laxmi Agarwal is a well  known public figure. She is an acid attack survivor and although her back story is a traumatic one,  her journey and contribution towards women like herself has made Laxmi into an icon and inspirational Indian social media influencer  to anyone fighting for Women's rights. 

As a campaigner for acid attack victims,  Laxmi has been fighting for a blanket ban on acid sale. 2020, Bollywood movie Chhapaak was based on the acid attack incident and how Laxmi’s life changed after that. Her character was portrayed by actress Deepika Padukone and the movie was praised by the audience and the media. Laxmi is a motivational speaker and through her life she has challenged the norms of the society. She is a single mother and a motivational speaker and her life's story is a source of inspiration to the youth of this country who are struggling or are in similar situations. 

Zabi Khan or md_zabi_khan

“If a man aspires towards a righteous life, his first act of abstinence is from injury to animals''.  Zabi Khan is an Indian social media influencer whose life’s mission can be aptly summed up by this quote of Albert Einstein. An inspiration to a number of young people in the country today, Zabi started rescuing animals from a young age of 13. 

Hailing from Hyderabad, Zabi is founder of an NGO named “ A Place to Bark”.  As an animal rights activist he has rescued thousands of animals through the years. He has received several domestic and international recognition for this work. Zabi was named Youth Icon 2018 and was even a Padmashree nominee. His work has also been acknowledged by the UN. Zabi is truly an inspiration to young Indias and he upholds the deep seated Indian tradition of showing love and compassion towards animals. 

Nisha Madhulika or nishamadhulika_cooks

Nisha Madhulika is a very familiar name with every millennial who has looked up Indian recipes on YouTube. One of the top chefs on YouTube today, Nisha Madhulika was one of the earliest YouTuber who started posting her recipes online in 2011. 

At that time, being a YouTuber was a relatively new phenomenon. We can safely say that Nisha was much ahead of her time and started exploring this new medium to share her passion for cooking. She understood the demands of the time and posted content in Hindi, which became an instant hit. From her presentation to attention to details like posting recipes that are easy to follow has garnered her millions of subscribers on YouTube. She is also very active on instagram, where she posts content regularly. 

Nisha Madhulika is an inspiration to a number of women of her age. As someone who started her YouTube career in her 50’s,  Nisha has come a long way. Today, she is not only one of the top Indian social media influencers but an inspiration to several families who are looking for easy, vegetarian recipes to cook for their loved ones. For her work, Nisha has also won several awards.  ‍

Madhurima Bhattacharjee or madhurimabhattacharjee_

In the world of fast fashion, there is an unprecedented impact of the fashion industry on the environment today.  To combat the ill-effects of fashion, businesses promoting sustainable fashion are on the rise. Sustainable fashion influencers and businesses focus on ethically sourced material with minimal to no carbon footprints. Madhurima Bhattachrjee is one such business owner who promotes sustainable fashion with her homegrown clothing brand - mb. 

One of the leading pioneers of sustainable fashion in the country today, Madhurima through her entrepreneurial journey has taught us how to have business which is lucrative and at the same time good for the environment.  Her work in the field of sustainable fashion has been featured in Femina, Time of India and Grazia. Through her brand mb, she has tapped into the D2C sector with unique designs, sustainable & breathable fabric and size inclusivity. 

Kamiya Jani or kamiya_jani

Famous for YouTube channel Curly Tales, Kamiya Jani is an Indian social media influencer who has made great strides in the travel and lifestyle genre of content creation. Kamiya started her career in Media and worked as a financial writer and later business news presenter for ET Now. However, she left her career in media to start her own travel blog channel Curly Tales in 2016. 

In addition to her travel content, the Sunday Brunch segment on her channel reflects her versatility as a content creator. By interviewing movie stars and directors, she offers her audience a glimpse into the lives and perspectives of prominent personalities, adding a unique flavor to her channel's diverse offerings. Kamiya's journey is a testament to her entrepreneurial spirit. Balancing her roles as a businesswoman and a mother, she continues to inspire others to follow their passions and pursue unconventional paths. Her dedication to carving her own niche in the digital landscape showcases the potential and opportunities that the modern world offers.

Conclusion

In a world where the virtual realm is intertwining with our daily lives, the power of influence has taken on a new dimension. As we stand on the brink of another Independence Day, it is not just the historical icons that deserve our salute, but also Indian social media influencers who have harnessed the power of social media to build bridges, shatter stereotypes, and promote a culture of unity and acceptance. Their commitment to authentic content creation, whether it's through vibrant fashion, healthy living, delectable cuisine, or breathtaking travel, has brought communities together in ways unimaginable before.

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galleri5 is extremely proud of these Indian influencers who have done commendable work in their field. Over the years, we have witnessed the growth of the creator economy and worked with several big brands and creators to create successful campaigns. For more information, book a demo today. 

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