Dwindling snowfall leading to water crisis in Ladakh

It’s getting warmer and drier in the country’s cold desert. Known as the place where mercury drops several notches below zero and mountains remain barren through the year, Ladakh, well, is changing.  From Zanskar to Nubra, a significant number of villages in the Himalayan region of Ladakh are facing water crisis. Reduced snowfall has begun… Continue reading Dwindling snowfall leading to water crisis in Ladakh

Kihim women lead coastal village’s economic revival

Kihim is a hidden gem that strikes a harmonious balance between serenity and vibrancy. The village, located along the picturesque Konkan coastline of Maharashtra’s Raigad, holds a unique charm. Unlike its deserted counterparts in the region or the bustling adventure hub of Alibaug, Kihim quietly thrives on the lifeblood of tourism and related activities. In… Continue reading Kihim women lead coastal village’s economic revival

Innovative teacher leaves lasting impact on Odisha school

For much of his teaching career, Subhash Chandra Rout relied on innovation to engage his students. The kids had fun, and they would pick up concepts by seeing them in action. The teacher’s ideas inspired changes in how classrooms approach literacy and education in a Odisha school. Rout, the 60-year-old former headmaster of Brundaban Government… Continue reading Innovative teacher leaves lasting impact on Odisha school

Karnataka’s rural classrooms get a robot teacher

In the heart of Karnataka, an innovative and capturing tool is making waves in the education sector. The brainchild of Akshay Mashelkar, a former lecturer at Chaitanya MES PU College in Sirsi, Shiksha is not your ordinary classroom assistant. It is a humanoid robot teacher designed to make learning engaging, interactive and most importantly fun… Continue reading Karnataka’s rural classrooms get a robot teacher

Rural fests you can attend this October

Chanderi Festival When: October 5-9 | Where: Chanderi, Madhya Pradesh For a taste of real Indian culture, check out Chanderi, a historical town in Madhya Pradesh. It’s a blast from the past with its traditions, colourful festivals and amazing weaving techniques. And the best excuse to travel here is the Chanderi Festival in October. You’ll… Continue reading Rural fests you can attend this October

Mayurbhanj revives traditional looms

Many homes in Odisha’s Mayurbhanj, the home district of President Droupadi Murmu, once resonated with the rhythmic clattering of handlooms. For generations, the skilled weavers have interwoven tales into their fabrics, crafting vibrant textiles that mirror the essence of this region inhabited mostly by tribal communities.  However, these evocative scenes gradually faded, and like many… Continue reading Mayurbhanj revives traditional looms

Bengaluru couple’s startup goes back to the roots

Dr. Revathy L has a favourite joke that is widely shared among young graduates of Ayurvedic medicine in her native state of Kerala. If one marries an engineer working in Bengaluru, the nation’s bustling tech capital, it marks the end of an Ayurveda career.  With a hearty laugh, she revealed that, in her case, the… Continue reading Bengaluru couple’s startup goes back to the roots

Turning towards golden grass to conserve great Indian bustard

“They like sewan, the tall and bushy grass in western Rajasthan,” said Radeshyam Bishnoi, a farmer and conservationist from Pokhran tehsil of Jaisalmer district. He is talking about Lasiurus scindicus grass being the favourite shelter for the great Indian bustard.  Locally called godawan, the great Indian bustard (GIB) is facing the impact of development and… Continue reading Turning towards golden grass to conserve great Indian bustard

‘I find purpose in life through thangka art’

Krishna Tashi Palmo of Shipting village in Lahaul and Spiti district of Himachal Pradesh joined a thangka art school at 22. She talks about her journey from the confines of her house to the art world – in her own words. I was born in Shipting, a remote village in the trans-Himalayan Lahaul valley in… Continue reading ‘I find purpose in life through thangka art’

A day at a village square

A village square is the heart of every village where residents come together for daily chit-chats or relaxing evenings. In this picture we see a group of elderly men gathered at a local satth (village square) to enjoy a game of playing cards at Ghanouri Kalan village in Sangrur district of Punjab.  A village square… Continue reading A day at a village square

Kerala women brew cups of joy with artisanal coffee

A cup of joe is a joy forever, but let’s face it y’all: the perfect coffee is a brew that tells something about the people producing it. To know more, Kuttampuzha Kappi (coffee) from Kerala is a must pourover.  It all begins in a symphony of nature’s grandeur in Kuttampuzha, Kerala’s sprawling panchayat in Ernakulam… Continue reading Kerala women brew cups of joy with artisanal coffee

How I fell in love with rural India

Earlier this year in August I found myself amidst the majestic landscapes of Ladakh, nestled in the Himalayas, for a remarkable 10-day adventure. My once-in-a-lifetime journey was made possible thanks to a ‘voluntourism’ initiative run by the NGO 17,000ft.   Their mission? To unlock the doors of quality education for the children living in the remote… Continue reading How I fell in love with rural India

What a ‘grape’ village! 

In the beautiful Kashmir Valley, Repora’s 60-hectare area is the grape industry’s core. Repora’s southern exposure, well-irrigated lands, and abundant sunshine make it an ideal place in Kashmir for growing grape varieties known for their exceptional quality, quantity, and size, ranking among the world’s finest grapes. “This golden blessing, planted by Saint Mir Syed Shah… Continue reading What a ‘grape’ village! 

Reviving Pattu-weaving in Barmer thread by thread

Time seems to linger like a photograph in the heart of the arid landscape of Rajasthan’s Barmer district. But here, 23-year-old Kheta Ram is casting a spell to resurrect an ancient art form – Pattu weaving.  With each thread diligently woven, he crafts a fabric that carries the weight of history and tradition, allowing those… Continue reading Reviving Pattu-weaving in Barmer thread by thread

Jharkhand villagers waiting to see ‘light’

As soon as dusk descends, it’s time for Fulmoni Devi to light a lamp. The 35-year-old homemaker lives in Asnapani hamlet in Bokaro district of Jharkhand, around 130 kilometres from Ranchi, the state capital. She cooks her food and does household work with the help of the flickering lamp every evening.  Unlike several other parts… Continue reading Jharkhand villagers waiting to see ‘light’

Border tourism boosts Keran village

As the sun’s rays gently caress the surreal slopes of the nearby woods in the early morning light, a young shopkeeper meticulously arranges an array of snacks, chocolates, and toffees on his shop’s display with boost in border tourism.  This sight of processed snacks hanging from a small rope in front of the old wooden… Continue reading Border tourism boosts Keran village

A secret beach where Goans party

Want to escape the bustling tourist scene of Goa? We suggest you take a day trip to the secret beach in Shiroda, a hidden gem that feels like a vacation within a vacation. Just a two-hour drive from the Goan city of Panjim lies the Sindhudurg district, home to the pristine Shiroda village (known as… Continue reading A secret beach where Goans party

5 unique homestays across rural India

Live like a tribal at these rural homestays in Bastar The tribal hinterland of Bastar in Chhattisgarh conjures up two images. The first is a conspicuous stereotype that has shaped public perception – a grim-faced identikit composed by the region’s long-drawn insurgency. But the news often misses smiley faces that greet intrepid tourists venturing into… Continue reading 5 unique homestays across rural India

The journey of Kerala’s Chalakudy river

The Chalakudy River, located in central Kerala, originates in the serene Anaimalai Hills along the Kerala-Tamil Nadu border, gaining strength as it flows westward. This river plays a pivotal role in hydel electricity generation for the state, with three dams – Upper Sholayar (Tamil Nadu), Sholayar, and Peringalkuthu.  Its winding course through rugged terrain offers… Continue reading The journey of Kerala’s Chalakudy river

‘Collaboration is key to protect water bodies’

Village Square: What common misconceptions do you come across with respect to water conservation? Shri Krisha: You must have seen a green sheet of plants covering water bodies. There are several such water bodies across India. People usually assume that it’s a good thing, but actually, it’s water hyacinth, an invasive species that completely takes… Continue reading ‘Collaboration is key to protect water bodies’