Jharkhand’s McCluskieganj struggles to stay alive

It is commonly called the “Ganj”. McCluskieganj is quite a mouthful. A tongue-twister as twisted as its perfect past and a tense present and future. McCluskieganj is a charming hill town perched on the Chota Nagpur Plateau in Jharkhand, about 65km northwest of Ranchi, and is often affectionately referred to as “Mini-England”. It bears witness… Continue reading Jharkhand’s McCluskieganj struggles to stay alive

Students shape a future in terracotta pottery

With several traditional art forms dying and those that remain unappreciated, life had become a bed of thorns for Maya Ram. He could never avail formal education owing to the financial crunch and lack of access to quality education near his village in Indergarh tehsil of Rajasthan’s Bundi district. Ram (25) learnt terracotta pottery early… Continue reading Students shape a future in terracotta pottery

He sold his goat to teach tribal kids in Jharkhand

Life in the tribal Munda community in Jharkhand is synchronised with the changing rhythms of nature, the seasons, the rising and setting of the sun, and not by the time on the clock. Members of the community, which lives in close harmony with nature, are often not educated and face the social evil of alcoholism.… Continue reading He sold his goat to teach tribal kids in Jharkhand

Coming up, a fest to connect with Kalimpong culture

The Himalayan hills are as majestic as ever, the folk music beats as mesmeric. The experience however promises to be like no other. The small village of Parengtar, located at the India-Bhutan border in Patangodak gram panchayat under Gorubathan block of Kalimpong district in West Bengal, will soon be alive with the sound of music.… Continue reading Coming up, a fest to connect with Kalimpong culture

Shielding trout from climate change in Kashmir

Adil Akram is an agripreneur with a farm where he rears Himalayan trout at the foothills of the majestic Dachigam mountains on the outskirts of Srinagar. But not so long ago, the 25-year-old looked like a fish out of water, with restlessness etched on his face — in conflict with the tranquil vistas surrounding him… Continue reading Shielding trout from climate change in Kashmir

A rural woman’s ‘toy story’ towards success

As I reach Indra’s shop in Sadhuwali, a small hamlet in Sri Ganganagar district of Rajasthan, I see vibrant activity. I cannot help but smile at how this scene contrasted with my first visit, when she and a few women were quietly stitching clothes for baby Krishna idols.  The first time I entered her shop… Continue reading A rural woman’s ‘toy story’ towards success

Jharkhand’s tribal musical legacy teeters on the edge

Karan Chandra Hansda is one of the last remaining artisans in Jharkhand with the remarkable ability to craft the melodious tribal musical instrument Banam from wood. He also serenades enthusiasts with the mesmerising songs of the Santhal tribe that accompany the fiddle-like instrument. The 74-year-old lives in Laldhua village in the Dhalbhumgarh region of East… Continue reading Jharkhand’s tribal musical legacy teeters on the edge

Conserving the biodiversity-rich Dora Beel in Assam

Dora Beel in Assam is a naturalist’s paradise that presents the possibility of seeing 193 species of birds at a single place, not to mention a huge variety of fishes and snakes like monocled cobra, Indian rat snake, Indochinese rat snake, copper headed trinket, rainbow water snake and Burmese python. However a complex set of… Continue reading Conserving the biodiversity-rich Dora Beel in Assam

Copperware losing sheen for Tamtas of Almora

Amidst the timeless charm of Almora in Uttarakhand, a walk through the labyrinthine alleys of this Himalayan town just a decade ago would have evoked cherished memories of copperware for visitors. An encounter with the rhythmic symphony of metal striking metal would lead to Tamta mohalla, a neighbourhood housing small wood-fired kilns.  Each of these… Continue reading Copperware losing sheen for Tamtas of Almora

Kulasai Dasara comes alive with devotion and delight

The small village of Kulasekharapatnam, situated near Thiruchendur in Thoothukudi district of Tamil Nadu, comes alive every year during the Navratri festival observed in autumn. On the day of Dussehra, the 300-year-old Sri Mutharamman Temple, also known as Kulasai Mutharamman Temple, reverberates with the spirit of the cult rural celebration known as Kulasai Dasara. The… Continue reading Kulasai Dasara comes alive with devotion and delight

The MGNREGA worker who won an Asian Games medal

The final 3-km stretch to Bhairava Gandhi village in Uttar Pradesh is an almost non-existent road, pock-marked with potholes, the tarmac peeling off to reveal the gravel and administrative apathy. The road was as rough for Ram Baboo while he was growing up in an impoverished household in the village. And then his steps gathered… Continue reading The MGNREGA worker who won an Asian Games medal

Life at Daribokgre village in Meghalaya

Nestled in the East Garo hills, in the periphery of the Norkrek Biosphere Reserve in Meghalaya, is the beautiful quaint village of Daribokgre. Home to around 35 households, this village is a popular destination to learn about the Garo community’s traditional way of living. (Photo by Navmalika Sidhu) Daribokgre is inhabited by the Garo people,… Continue reading Life at Daribokgre village in Meghalaya

Kumhartuli artisans in full swing ahead of Durgo Pujo

Vibrant colours, the scent of fresh paint, diligent artisans adding final touches and eager last-minute idol buyers define Kumhartuli’s bustling streets during Durgo Puja. In this West Bengal village, over 200 skilled artisans specialise in diverse art forms.  Along the lanes, workshops house Durga idols at different stages of completion, with a master crafting the… Continue reading Kumhartuli artisans in full swing ahead of Durgo Pujo

Coexisting with reptiles

“Reptiles don’t get any attention because they are not cuddly or cute like other animals. Most people will react ‘ew’ when they look at reptiles,” said Timple Madhumita D, Assistant Education officer at the Madras Crocodile Bank Trust (MCBT), Centre for Herpetology in Tamil Nadu.  “Our aim here is to change that attitude because reptiles… Continue reading Coexisting with reptiles

Solar-powered irrigation – A green step forward for farmers

Sunita Samad has 2 acres of land in a command area. She earned Rs 1.50 lakh last year by cultivating paddy, winter vegetables, mustard and wheat there. She credits her income to solar-powered irrigation. Solar energy has a great potential as a sustainable alternative to rain-fed irrigation in Jharkhand, and the same is being harnessed… Continue reading Solar-powered irrigation – A green step forward for farmers

Bengal farmer on ‘mission mango’ to save the fruit

The mango season may have waned in most parts of India. However, the king of fruits never loses flavour in a corner of West Bengal where Kushal Ghosh, fondly known as a “custodian farmer”, has been working to preserve the legendary but endangered ‘Murshidabad mangoes’. Deeply passionate about gardening, the 74-year-old stoutly built man has… Continue reading Bengal farmer on ‘mission mango’ to save the fruit

Finding a soul in Uttarakhand’s ghost village

A small wood-framed window in a slanted-roofed cottage. Cerulean skies cradle fluffy nebulous clouds, behind which the sun peeps out to watch the pine needles glisten in its warm glow. Tall grass, small shrubs, tiny wildflowers, mighty Himalayas. Sounds mesmeric? Not to the residents of Semla village in Uttarakhand. The ‘ghost village’ and its total… Continue reading Finding a soul in Uttarakhand’s ghost village

Book Review: The Indian Village by Surinder S. Jodhka

Electricity and access to running water facilities, road connectivity, health centres, livelihood opportunities, women’s empowerment, minimum support prices for agricultural produce, schools, and colleges, as well as sanitation facilities – there is a multitude of issues that surface at the mere mention of rural India.   These challenges are what Surendra S. Jodhka illuminates in his… Continue reading Book Review: The Indian Village by Surinder S. Jodhka

Nutmeg spices up income of Tamil Nadu coconut farmers

Sibling spices nutmeg and mace have been adding victory points to the cooking game for long. However, the farmers of Pollachi had long remained oblivious to the charms of the valuable intercrop that grows as a companion to the towering coconut trees that grow abundantly in this lush landscape of Coimbatore district of Tamil Nadu.… Continue reading Nutmeg spices up income of Tamil Nadu coconut farmers

Why is Jharkhand’s Paitkar scroll art losing colour?

The village of Amadubi in East Singhbhum district of Jharkhand basks in proximity to the picturesque Ghatshila town, a favourite haunt for tourists. Yet, unbeknownst to many, this remote corner with its lush hilly backdrop is the home of the illustrious Paitkar paintings of Jharkhand. This folk art form intricately weaves tales of life’s origins,… Continue reading Why is Jharkhand’s Paitkar scroll art losing colour?