The misery of the world calls to us to go beyond our narrow selfish boundaries. However, not all of us respond to this call. Jamuna Rangachari profiles some bravehearts who did and thereby changed their own and the lives of others.

Serving God by serving man

The Banyan: Since 1993, The Banyan has been an integral part of the chain of care for people with mental illness in Chennai. www.thebanyan.org

Project Why: This is a New Delhi (India) based non-profit organisation engaged in education support and life skill enhancement of slum children and their families. www.projectwhy.org

Aravind Eye Hospital: Founded in 1976 in Madurai, it addresses the problem of avoidable blindness http://www.aravind.org

Goonj: Goonj was formed in 1999 in Delhi to address the issue of clothing everyone properly. www.goonj.org

Masoom: Founded in 2008, it is a not-for-profit organisation in a Mumbai that works on establishing quality education in night schools. http://www.masoomeducation.org