In a world of Instagram reels dominated by fashion, travel, and viral memes, 62-year-old Vani Murthy has carved out a unique niche. Known as ‘Worm Rani,’ she has become an Instagram sensation with over 300,000 followers, sharing her passion for composting and waste management. Murthy’s rise to social media fame began during the Covid-19 pandemic, when her reels advocating simple sustainability practices—like composting vegetable peels, using steel utensils, and reducing waste—captivated audiences.
Long before she became a composting influencer, Murthy was a homemaker who rarely stepped out of her home. Her journey into activism began when she joined the Malleswaram Resident Welfare Association, leading cleanliness and greenery campaigns in her Bengaluru neighborhood. She later participated in the ‘Wealth Out of Waste’ (WOW) campaign, raising awareness about waste segregation.
However, the turning point came in 2010 during a visit to the Mavallipura landfill. Witnessing the devastating impact of unsegregated waste on the environment, she resolved to make a difference.
Today, Murthy’s Instagram presence not only educates but inspires people to adopt sustainable practices, proving that change can begin at any age—even with something as simple as composting.Vani Murthy still remembers the moment her life changed forever. It was a visit to the sprawling landfill in Mavallipuram, a trip taken with friends as part of a modest waste management project. The sight was overwhelming—piles of garbage stretching endlessly, the stench hanging heavy in the air. That day, in 2008, Vani made a promise to herself: she would do everything in her power to transform the way people thought about waste.
At 43, Vani’s life took an unexpected turn when she joined a group working on Solid Waste Management (SWM) in Bengaluru. The group’s mission was to teach the value of recycling and show that waste could hold untapped potential. Inspired by their dedication, Vani began her journey by implementing waste segregation and management practices in her own apartment complex. What started as a small initiative soon grew into a city-wide movement, bringing together activists from diverse backgrounds united by a shared vision for a cleaner Bengaluru.
In those early days, awareness about waste segregation was scarce, and facilities for composting at home were nearly non-existent. Recognizing the urgent need to educate people, Vani became the ambassador of Swachagraha, a program launched by the Solid Waste Management Round Table (SWMRT) to promote home composting. Under her leadership, the initiative gained traction, encouraging residents to transform kitchen scraps into nutrient-rich compost instead of sending them to landfills.
Vani’s passion for composting didn’t stop at her neighborhood. A graduate of Osmania University in Hyderabad, she quickly became an expert on the subject. Her knowledge and enthusiasm earned her a platform to spread the message far and wide. Whether through television shows, radio interviews, or her weekly column in a regional newspaper, Vani reached countless households with her practical tips and heartfelt conviction. She even graced the TED stage, inspiring audiences with her journey and her unwavering belief that every individual has the power to make a difference.
Today, Vani Murthy is more than a waste management advocate; she’s a movement leader, a teacher, and a symbol of sustainable living. Her efforts have not only reduced waste but also changed mindsets, proving that environmental stewardship is within everyone’s reach.
Through her work, Vani has turned the narrative of waste upside down, showing that what we discard can, with a little effort, become a source of renewal. Her story is a testament to how one person’s determination can spark a city-wide revolution—and inspire a nation.
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