Lucknow  

Amir Hindustani, a popular influencer, captures the essence of old Lucknow through his videos, resonating with lakhs of viewers across the country. Popularly known as ‘Lucknow ki Baji,’ he creates content that reflects the conversations and dynamics of middle-class families.

Naseem Bano, a resident of Lucknow, is an exceptional Chikankari artist. She was recently honoured with the Padma Shri award for her distinctive Chikankari designs. She has travelled to cities such as America, Chile, New York, and Canada, and has introduced people to the unique art of Chikankari.

When her husband suffered a paralysis attack, Poonam found herself assuming the role of the breadwinner of the family. She is a skilled mechanic from Lucknow, her work is appreciated by some people, while the others struggle to believe that a woman can efficiently repair bike and car parts.

Shahi Tukda is a specialty of Hyderabad. Indulging in Shahi Tukda during the winter season is always a delight. It’s a tempting and sweet treat for the festive season.

Prachi worked and lived in Singapore for 6 years before relocating to Dubai where she started her fitness journey. Upon returning to India, she established herself as a successful dietitian and fitness coach, who promotes overall well-being.

Gudiya Devi, a resident of Lucknow, faced difficulties as a pregnant woman as she could not defecate in clean toilets and could not change her clothes in private spaces during her hospitalization. These problems prompted her to design a uniform that would alleviate such issues for the patients.

Khushi Pandey is a resident of Alambagh, Lucknow. At the young of 18, Khushi started her campaign ‘Project Ujala.’ She raises awareness to prevent road accidents in the dark. On 25 December 2022, Khushi Pandey’s grandfather lost his life in a road accident caused by dense fog. This prompted her to encourage people to install lights for enhanced visibility.

Pragya Sharma, a resident of Lucknow, is the first female Dastangoi artist from Uttar Pradesh. She has performed in more than a hundred shows in India and overseas. Pragya and her co-artist, Himanshu Vajpayee performed at the festival of National Mission for Clean Ganga event organized by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Two sisters from Lucknow, Nazish and Insha introduced Kolhapuri sandals to the online markets. On their brother’s suggestion, they ventured into entrepreneurship. Today, Nazish and Insha receive orders from overseas, including places like Dubai, New York, and Italy.

Lucknow’s Ajay Kumar Gautam received his school education from government schools. He did his graduation from IIT Kanpur before deciding to appear for UPSC exams. In his first attempt, he acquired the post of IPS and in his second attempt, he became an IAS.

Astha Singh is a renowned dietician from Lucknow. She earned a BSc degree from Sultanpur and also holds an MSc degree in Food and Nutrition. In 2016, Astha got her first job at Diabeta Care. It was located 2 kilometres away from her residence and she used to cover that distance on foot. Hundreds of people have sought Astha’s assistance. Through her dietary plans, she has helped many people become physically fit.

Chef Zulfiqar Hussain is a famous chef from Lucknow. His father used to work in the railways. The family faced financial difficulties and lived in a small house.  Zulfiqar received his education through a scholarship. He gained valuable experience working with some of the world’s leading chefs in Dubai. After returning to Lucknow, he became a consultant for approximately 30 to 35 hotels, restaurants, and clubs. In 2018, he established his own company.

Vikas Yadav took up a job in America after graduating from IIM, Lucknow. He always had a deep interest in the field of acting, so he left his job and moved back to India. Today, Vikas Yadav is a social media content creator.  

Prachi is only 18 years old and is involved in snake rescue operations. She educates people about snake protection in Lucknow Zoo.

Lucknow’s Salma Beig is India’s first gate woman. She is posted at Bharwara crossing of Lucknow. She achieved this feat at the young age of 22, and now it has been ten years since she started doing this job.