Every year, National Geographic selects a handful of photographs that define the world—images that speak of courage, culture, crisis, and hope. From hundreds of thousands of submissions, only 25 photographs are chosen for its Pictures of the Year collection. In 2025, one of these powerful images belongs to someone who works far from the fame of cities, far from media lights.  Shyamala Gunasekaran, an organic banana farmer from Tamil Nadu. Her inclusion is not just a personal achievement; it is a global recognition of the farmers who are quietly fighting to restore the planet’s most valuable resource: living soil.

A Portrait That Speaks for the Soil

The photograph that earned this rare honor is that of Shyamala on her organic banana farm. The image is visually striking not because of artificial effects or digital editing, but because of its authenticity. The soft haze around her, often mistaken for studio-made smoke, was created naturally by burning coconut husks and banana leaves, a long-practiced method in South Indian fields. The portrait captures not just a farmer, but a philosophy. It shows a woman deeply connected with the earth, her hands rooted in traditional wisdom, her choices guided by the future she wants to protect. This single image has now traveled across borders, reminding viewers worldwide that sustainability begins at home, sometimes in a small Tamil Nadu farm tended by one determined woman.

Choosing a Different Path: Shyamala’s Organic Journey

Shyamala’s story is woven with courage. On her family’s land, she once used chemical fertilizers and pesticides because they promised quick results and higher profits. But over the years, she observed the soil becoming dry, weak, and lifeless. Earthworms disappeared. The natural moisture reduced. The soil lost its smell, its softness, its life. 

Around this time, she learned about the Save Soil movement, a global campaign focused on restoring soil health, preventing desertification, and promoting sustainable agriculture. 

Instead of shaking her head and moving on, Shyamala made a bold decision: she stopped using all chemical inputs. She shifted completely to organic farming, returned to natural compost, and started using crop waste creatively. For many farmers, this is a risky decision. Chemical-based farming promises fast results, while organic methods demand time, patience, and faith. But Shyamala believed in her soil, and the soil responded.

Save Soil: A Movement Rooted in Farmers

Shyamala’s effort aligns with the larger Save Soil movement, which advocates for restoring soil organic matter, encouraging sustainable farming, and protecting the planet from future food insecurity. For her, the movement wasn’t a trend. It was a lifeline. She saw how organic methods slowly revived the land. Her banana plants grew healthier, pest attacks reduced, and the soil became softer and richer. The idea that she was not only farming crops but also protecting a living ecosystem gave her purpose. Shyamala’s farm became a small but powerful example of what Save Soil stands for: regeneration, resilience, and respect for the earth. 

National Geographic’s recognition is more than an award; it is a spotlight on the unsung warriors of climate action. Out of thousands of stories across the world, Shyamala’s portrait stood out. The editors of Nat Geo described the chosen photographs as “the defining images of 2025,” and one of those defining images is a Tamil Nadu farmer working with age-old wisdom and modern resolve.

A Farmer’s Image That Will Live Beyond 2025

Shyamala never imagined her story would reach millions. All she wanted was healthy soil, sustainable crops, and a better future for her land. But her dedication turned into a global inspiration. Her journey from a quiet Tamil Nadu village to Nat Geo’s global pages shows that some of the most beautiful stories on earth are found not in megacities, but in the simple bravery of farmers who choose to care for the planet.