Chai! Indians’ favourite anytime, anywhere drink. How else can one explain the fact that we consume 87 percent of the tea that we produce ( 2021-2022). India is the second largest tea producer in the world after China. During British rule, tea was brought from China, primarily to break the Chinese monopoly. The British found… Continue reading Trouble brews in Bengal’s tea gardens
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Bio-gas, a blessing
For Nisha Maurya, a resident of Ramgaon Village in Uttar Pradesh, a bio-gas stove to cook on is not just that — it is a symbol of independence and self-reliance. Widowed a few years ago, Nisha shoulders all the responsibilities of her household single-handedly. She takes care of her children, sends them to school, tends… Continue reading Bio-gas, a blessing
Danda, a festival of the people’s belief
The Danda Festival, also known as Danda Yatra in Odisha, is a unique cultural and religious festival celebrated throughout the state. It is one of the oldest festivals in the region and holds significant cultural and religious importance. Spanning 13 days, Danda Yatra takes place during the month of Chaitra, culminating on the day of… Continue reading Danda, a festival of the people’s belief
The many shades of Varanasi ghats
Across the 84 ghats in Varanasi, 1300 plus boats of different sizes and capacity operate to ferry the tourists across the holy river Ganga. An early morning snapshot of some tourists taking the delightful boat rides (Photo by Shankar L) An old pujari (priest) records the ganga aarti at a ghat in Varanasi through his… Continue reading The many shades of Varanasi ghats
A journey of devotion and activism to revive Odisha’s Prachi river
The Prachi river in Odisha, much like its counterparts across India, holds deep spiritual significance, intertwined with ancient legends and tales of yore. Yet, the relentless onslaught of modern-day pollution has cast a shadow over this sacred waterway, which is believed to have nurtured a civilisation older than Harappa and Mohenjo-Daro. Stretching over 78 km… Continue reading A journey of devotion and activism to revive Odisha’s Prachi river
Three generations, one melody: Meet Saas Bahu Ki Jodi
Geeta Parag graced the audience in Bisalkhedi village of Dewas district in Madhya Pradesh with a humble namaste, marking the beginning of a Satsang — a sacred session of singing bhajans and kirtans (religious songs). As the melodies filled the air, Bhakti singers Geeta, her mother-in-law Leela Parag and daughter Tanu Parag led the congregation… Continue reading Three generations, one melody: Meet Saas Bahu Ki Jodi
Six books to bring children close to rural India
Rural India is a happening place but it may not always be possible for city residents to visit and witness the magic of village life. Here’s where books come to the rescue! As aptly said by Pulitzer Prize-winning author Jhumpa Lahiri, “That’s the thing about books. They let you travel without moving your feet.” This… Continue reading Six books to bring children close to rural India
How a pungent delicacy is supporting Tripura’s indigenous community
Smoking, sun-drying, fermenting, pickling… Centuries ago, long before the advent of modern refrigeration, ingenious methods were employed to preserve food. In Tripura, one such culinary tradition that has stood the test of time is the art of making berma — fermented fish. Berma’s potently pungent presence in Tripura’s kitchens is indispensable. Among the Tripuris, the… Continue reading How a pungent delicacy is supporting Tripura’s indigenous community
Waste spells disaster in J&K villages
Roadsides and common areas are strewn with garbage, marring the natural beauty of Kashmir. For the residents of Chontwaliwar, Lar, Manigam Repora and other villages in Ganderbal, the government’s waste management plan is proving to be a health and environmental problem. The villagers face an urgent pollution crisis as segregation sheds meant for waste management… Continue reading Waste spells disaster in J&K villages
Curbing malnutrition, one poshan vatika at a time
When poverty hits, survival becomes the priority. Suppressing hunger with just one meal at best is what’s possible. Naturally, nutrition takes the back seat. In Samsa Tarhar village of Bahraich district in Uttar Pradesh the situation is alarming. According to the National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5), 2019-21 for India, more than 70 percent of all… Continue reading Curbing malnutrition, one poshan vatika at a time
Loving Diljit Dosanjh as Chamkila? Here are 5 other celebs with Punjab roots
There is no dearth of famous personalities from Punjab not just in India, but the world over. After the success of the Imtiaz Ali-directed Amar Singh Chamkila, which saw singer-actor Diljit Dosanjh play a titular role in a Bollywood movie, Punjab is very much the flavour of the season! For Dosanj, Amar Singh Chamkila comes… Continue reading Loving Diljit Dosanjh as Chamkila? Here are 5 other celebs with Punjab roots
5 offbeat Himalayan heritage sites to tick off your bucket list
April 18 is observed as the International Day for Monuments and Sites, and India is home to a vast number of heritage sites. It may not be possible to explore more than a handful of heritage sites each year, and with summer on the anvil, it’s a good time to plan a getaway to cooler… Continue reading 5 offbeat Himalayan heritage sites to tick off your bucket list
Art, spiritualism and more to delight you at this Dharamshala fest
After two successful editions, the Swara Mountain Arts Festival, initiated in 2022 by the Jagori Rural Charitable Trust and One Billion Rising, is back with its third edition slated to be held at Dharamshala from April 21. The six-day Dharamshala festival will be a unique experience with a combination of workshops, time-in-nature meditations, performances, and… Continue reading Art, spiritualism and more to delight you at this Dharamshala fest
Lok Sabha elections 2024: Six celebs contesting from rural constituencies
People from the glamorous arenas of life, namely sports and movies, have for long been a draw for the masses. Little wonder then that political parties like to bring in these larger-than-life figures into their midst, to benefit from their star power and get the voters to elect them. The 2024 Lok Sabha elections, being… Continue reading Lok Sabha elections 2024: Six celebs contesting from rural constituencies
Asia’s largest tulip garden and its 17 lakh blooms
Nestled in the foothills of Zabarwan, Asia’s largest tulip garden emerges as a radiant tapestry of colors. With 1.7 million tulips poised to bloom, the garden beckons visitors to witness its breathtaking beauty. Tourists throng the valley during spring time and share their perspective. An additional 2 lakh tulip bulbs were added this year to… Continue reading Asia’s largest tulip garden and its 17 lakh blooms
5 must-see films that show rural India differently
The many faces of village life have long intrigued filmmakers. Among some of the well-known movies centred around rural themes are Mother India (1957) and Do Bigha Zamin (1953), based on the oppression imposed upon the common people by moneylenders and zamindars (landlords). Satyajit Ray’s Pather Panchali (1955) from the semi-urban hamlet of Boral is… Continue reading 5 must-see films that show rural India differently
Getting inked more than a passing gen-z fad
As the woman transplanted millets in a muddy field in Koraput, Odisha, her tattoo became immersed in mud. (Photo by Hitesh Kumar Nayak) The photo captured a grandma’s daily routine of sitting, showcasing traditional “Trajva” tribal tattoo art on her hands and legs, reflecting the culture of the Kathiawad region in Gujarat. (Photo by Bhoomi)… Continue reading Getting inked more than a passing gen-z fad
Majuli mask of Assam receives GI tag
Majuli, in Assam, is known for being the world’s largest river island. But there’s something else that makes Majuli special, and that’s its masks. The tradition of making masks in Majuli is over 500 years old. It is believed that during the 15th century, Guru Srimanta Sankardeva, during the neo-Vaishnavite movement, created the first mask… Continue reading Majuli mask of Assam receives GI tag
How women are taking care of livestock health in UP
It was 5 o’clock on a regular morning in Mohammadnagar village in Uttar Pradesh, when 27-year-old Radha Devi got a call from a distressed woman. She packed her bag quickly and left home immediately. The call was from her neighbour whose goat had a throat infection. Radha Devi checked the goat and provided the crucial… Continue reading How women are taking care of livestock health in UP
Blacksmiths show an iron will in this MP village
As Anil Vishwakarma, a blacksmith, hammers the hot piece of iron straight out of the burning furnace, there’s a palpable sense of dedication mingled with a hint of dissatisfaction in his demeanour. With each precise knock, he meticulously shapes the metal to craft a sarauta – a betel nut cracker that once held a revered… Continue reading Blacksmiths show an iron will in this MP village