Nominations for the betterMENt Awards 2026 are open. Nominate the man who changed you. [Nominate now]

Our Aim

Guided by AWARE India Trust, our initiative redefines strength through empathy, emotional openness, accountability, and community care.

An authentic candid photograph in a warm, naturally lit community hall in South Asian / Indian setting. Two men in smart casual shirts are engaged in an earnest, respectful conversation around a wooden table, one listening intently with compassion while the other speaks with calm confidence. Soft daylight filters through tall windows, with subtle warm camel and deep navy accents in the background architecture, evoking a dignified, reflective, and supportive atmosphere.
An authentic candid photograph in a warm, naturally lit community hall in South Asian / Indian setting. Two men in smart casual shirts are engaged in an earnest, respectful conversation around a wooden table, one listening intently with compassion while the other speaks with calm confidence. Soft daylight filters through tall windows, with subtle warm camel and deep navy accents in the background architecture, evoking a dignified, reflective, and supportive atmosphere.

Why We Exist

Traditional expectations often compel men to bear emotional silence and solitary burdens. We believe genuine strength thrives in empathy, compassion, and shared responsibility.

In partnership with families, educators, and workplaces across India, we celebrate men who champion gender equality, model gentle leadership, and challenge limiting stereotypes every day.

Positive masculinity is rooted in quiet courage, accountability, and lifelong learning.

Our Values

Empathy

Listening deeply and embracing vulnerability

Sharing household care and equal partnerships

Equity

Fostering safe, affirming spaces
for everyone

Respect

Prioritizing mental well-being and seeking support

Care

Accountability in everyday
actions

Integrity
A close-up portrait of an Indian community mentor in his late thirties wearing an understated warm camel-brown linen kurta in an open-air courtyard in South Asian / Indian surroundings. He has a warm, thoughtful expression with dignified eyes, bathed in soft afternoon light, exuding gentle maturity, emotional resilience, and grounded approachable leadership.
A close-up portrait of an Indian community mentor in his late thirties wearing an understated warm camel-brown linen kurta in an open-air courtyard in South Asian / Indian surroundings. He has a warm, thoughtful expression with dignified eyes, bathed in soft afternoon light, exuding gentle maturity, emotional resilience, and grounded approachable leadership.

Aarav Mehta

Community Dialogue Lead

Mental Wellness Advocate • Chennai

With over a decade facilitating listening circles across South Asian neighborhoods, Aarav helps men break silent burdens, destigmatize therapy, and cultivate nurturing, supportive family environments.

An environmental portrait of an Indian professional in his early forties standing beside an office conference table in South Asian / Indian urban setting. He wears a tailored navy blue blazer with an open collar, smiling with quiet confidence. Natural light fills the modern room, capturing a forward-thinking, supportive workplace mentor advocating for equality and ethical collaboration.
An environmental portrait of an Indian professional in his early forties standing beside an office conference table in South Asian / Indian urban setting. He wears a tailored navy blue blazer with an open collar, smiling with quiet confidence. Natural light fills the modern room, capturing a forward-thinking, supportive workplace mentor advocating for equality and ethical collaboration.

Dev SharmaWorkplace Equality

Corporate Inclusion Lead •

Dev works with enterprise leaders to establish progressive parental leave and inclusive team cultures,

Jake brings energy and precision to every class. A former competitive athlete, he specializes in dynamic Reformer work

A portrait of a compassionate Indian educator in his early thirties sitting on a verandah bench in South Asian / Indian setting, holding a notebook. Soft ambient golden hour light warms the terracotta and sand tones around him. His calm, open posture reflects patience, thoughtful guidance, and dedication to mentoring adolescent boys in healthy emotional expression.
A portrait of a compassionate Indian educator in his early thirties sitting on a verandah bench in South Asian / Indian setting, holding a notebook. Soft ambient golden hour light warms the terracotta and sand tones around him. His calm, open posture reflects patience, thoughtful guidance, and dedication to mentoring adolescent boys in healthy emotional expression.

Kiran Das

Youth Mentorship Coordinator

Educator • AWARE India Trust Partner

Kiran conducts school dialogues challenging restrictive gender roles, helping young boys cultivate emotional resilience, mutual respect, and positive conflict-resolution habits.

Values & Standards

Grounded in gender justice and human dignity, our initiatives follow trauma-informed facilitation frameworks, ethical accountability standards, and community reviews to ensure every dialogue encourages empathy, non-violence, and emotional safety across South Asian society.

In Action

Everyday moments of dialogue and connection.

A heartfelt, candid documentary photo in a South Asian / Indian living room where an Indian father gently helps his young school-age daughter with her studies at a low wooden table. Warm afternoon sunlight pours in, capturing an authentic moment of nurturing domestic care and shared responsibility, rich with warm earth tones and subtle cream highlights.
A heartfelt, candid documentary photo in a South Asian / Indian living room where an Indian father gently helps his young school-age daughter with her studies at a low wooden table. Warm afternoon sunlight pours in, capturing an authentic moment of nurturing domestic care and shared responsibility, rich with warm earth tones and subtle cream highlights.
A candid shot of an Indian youth mentor walking alongside a teenage boy in an outdoor campus garden in South Asian / Indian environment. They are sharing a thoughtful conversation, captured in natural side lighting that highlights genuine connection, guidance, and peaceful mutual respect.
A candid shot of an Indian youth mentor walking alongside a teenage boy in an outdoor campus garden in South Asian / Indian environment. They are sharing a thoughtful conversation, captured in natural side lighting that highlights genuine connection, guidance, and peaceful mutual respect.
A group of diverse Indian men of various generations seated in an informal circle on comfortable woven mats in South Asian / Indian setting, engaging in a community listening workshop. The expression on the listener is supportive and attentive, bathed in warm diffused morning light, celebrating community brotherhood and emotional openness.
A group of diverse Indian men of various generations seated in an informal circle on comfortable woven mats in South Asian / Indian setting, engaging in a community listening workshop. The expression on the listener is supportive and attentive, bathed in warm diffused morning light, celebrating community brotherhood and emotional openness.
An authentic collaborative workplace scene in a modern Indian office space in South Asian / Indian setting. A senior male manager and his female colleague review project plans side by side with genuine mutual professional respect, with deep blue accents and crisp ambient light indicating modern, progressive equity in action.
An authentic collaborative workplace scene in a modern Indian office space in South Asian / Indian setting. A senior male manager and his female colleague review project plans side by side with genuine mutual professional respect, with deep blue accents and crisp ambient light indicating modern, progressive equity in action.

Join the Cause

Nominate a positive role model or partner with our team today.

Join the Initiative

Frequently Asked Questions

▶ What is this initiative?

Led by AWARE India Trust for International Men's Day, it celebrates men demonstrating empathy, shared responsibility, non-violence, and emotional openness in everyday life.

▶ Who can be nominated as a role model?

Any man in South Asian communities who exemplifies positive values: active fatherhood, domestic equity, mental health advocacy, respectful workplace mentorship, and personal accountability.

▶ Does this expect perfection?

No. We value consistent, observable efforts to learn, unlearn restrictive behaviors, listen actively, and take responsibility when mistakes occur.

▶ How can communities participate?

Organizations, schools, and families can host listening circles, nominate everyday champions, and utilize our free educational toolkits for open dialogue.

▶ Is participation free?

Yes. All community workshops, resource toolkits, and nomination processes are completely free and open to everyone across the region.