How Sutlej river is bearing the brunt of climate change

A sombre truth looms large in the heart of Punjab, where the rhythm of life dances to the tune of the Sutlej river, the longest, and its tributary Beas that flow southwest into the plains from the Himalayas in Himachal Pradesh. This truth paints a vivid picture of the climate change and its profound impact… Continue reading How Sutlej river is bearing the brunt of climate change

Women reap success with rice seed business in Odisha

The agrarian economy of Odisha largely hinges upon rice, accounting for nearly a quarter of the total agricultural output of the state, besides generating employment for small and marginal landholders. However, though the state contributes a significant portion of rice to the national pool, its productivity doesn’t compare well with other agriculturally progressive states such… Continue reading Women reap success with rice seed business in Odisha

Community leads the way for better schooling in Haryana

Public institutions are often built on collective action, and it holds true for education as well. That is why Section 21 of the Right to Education (RTE) Act mandates the constitution of school management committees (SMCs) in government schools. SMC is a platform where parents, teachers, students and local government representatives come together to iron… Continue reading Community leads the way for better schooling in Haryana

Assam rhinos in safe hands

On March 26 this year, the carcass of an adult one-horned rhino was found in the Bagori Range of the 1,300 sq. km Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve (KNPTR) in Assam. Horn of the rhino was missing. The Manas National Park and Tiger Reserve (MNPTR), spread over around 500 sq. km area about 330… Continue reading Assam rhinos in safe hands

‘Poaching of rhinos: You cannot save animals only with guns’

Village Square: How acute is the poaching of rhinos problem now in Assam? Rathin Barman: Wherever there are rhinos, there is always a threat of poaching. Rhinos are killed for their horns to be sold in the international market. There is no market for it in Assam locally.  About two decades back we used to… Continue reading ‘Poaching of rhinos: You cannot save animals only with guns’

Meet the Karnataka man measuring rainfall for 47 years

In the Western Ghats, the Kannada word kumbhadrona is used to describe torrential rains during monsoons. It often rains here non-stop for days together, forcing people to stop all activities. Artistes go on a hiatus, farmers take a break and schools declare holidays during heavy rainfall.  “We no longer have that kind of rainfall,” said… Continue reading Meet the Karnataka man measuring rainfall for 47 years

‘Helicopter cars’: Bihar mechanic turns cars into ‘choppers’

A couple’s vow to visit the moon doesn’t appear to be a far-off dream. This holds especially true for the residents of Sarmi village in Bihar’s Saran district. And no, it’s not because Chandrayaan has just landed on the moon. Mithlesh Kumar, a young innovator in Sarmi village, and his two brothers are turning cars… Continue reading ‘Helicopter cars’: Bihar mechanic turns cars into ‘choppers’

Hatching success through poultry business

The per capita landholding in India has been steadily decreasing over time. Currently, the average land holding per person in the country is approximately 0.24 acres. This trend is expected to continue, while the need for food and income keeps growing.  This situation is particularly challenging in rural areas, where agriculture is the primary source… Continue reading Hatching success through poultry business

For the love of farming

Mir’s journey into vermicomposting was a deliberate choice rooted in his love for agriculture. He dreamt of a unique path in farming, one that rejected chemical-intensive methods. Seeking superior outcomes for his crops, he embarked on this eco-friendly venture. With a loan of Rs 30,000 and comprehensive training from the government agriculture department in 2005,… Continue reading For the love of farming

What ails solar powered irrigation in rural areas?

As many as 83 percent (or about 15 crore) of all farm households in India belong to small and marginal farmers cultivating less than 1 hectare of land. Of them, a substantial percentage, possibly at least half that number, live in dominantly rainfed agricultural areas with limited access to irrigation. The principal constraint they face… Continue reading What ails solar powered irrigation in rural areas?

A supermarket for the women, by the women

Change is underway, not just in the marketplace, but in the lives of thousands in Udupi district in Karnataka. It’s a tale of empowerment, of over 85,000 women across the district, and it’s unfolding within the vibrant aisles of Sanjeevini Supermarket, for the women, by the women. The story began with the inauguration of this… Continue reading A supermarket for the women, by the women

Women farmers go extra mile in Assam

Development is yet to reach Darrang district of Assam – the land of blue hills and red river. Just like many other places in the country, most of the families in this district are dependent on agriculture.  The adage ‘agriculture is the backbone of the Indian economy’ highlights the crucial role that the farm sector… Continue reading Women farmers go extra mile in Assam

Karnataka village doctor’s green revolution

A doctor arrived in 2021, bearing not just his medical expertise but a seed of change to the quietude of Karle village in Karnataka’s Hassan district. Dr Tejaswi HJ, armed with a sapling, embarked on a journey of green revolution that would transform the barren land surrounding the government hospital into a thriving oasis of… Continue reading Karnataka village doctor’s green revolution

Sun comes to the aid of poor farmers

In several large swathes of land in India, agriculture is rain dependent. Flow irrigation from canals cannot reach these areas due to their hilly and undulating terrain. These regions include not only places that are deficient in rainfall but also many other areas such as Chhattisgarh or Jharkhand which receive a lot of rain. They… Continue reading Sun comes to the aid of poor farmers

Bamboo, a miracle material in Meghalaya

Me.a kri is a fermented bamboo shoot, highly regarded as a bamboo miracle, shredded and placed in a jar or airtight container for at least three months. The longer it’s kept in the container, the better the fermentation process and the tastier it gets. Nothing is added to the bamboo shoot – not even water.… Continue reading Bamboo, a miracle material in Meghalaya

Former bonded labourers champion justice in Punjab

The fields stretch to the horizon and stories are etched into the very soil in the heartland of Punjab, where a quiet revolution has been stirring. It’s a tale of people who once tasted the bitter sting of bondage to end up as bonded labourers and now dedicate their lives to setting others free. Jagseer… Continue reading Former bonded labourers champion justice in Punjab

A new chapter begins for kids in UP village

In Marui village, a different kind of celebration marked this year’s Independence Day – the inauguration of a public library. The residents of the village, which falls in the Arajiline administrative block of Varanasi district, came together to set up the library on 15 August.  It was a matter of delight for the villagers that… Continue reading A new chapter begins for kids in UP village

We need parallel cinema now more than ever: Muzaffar Ali

Renowned filmmaker, fashion designer and artist Muzaffar Ali, known for making movies such as Umrao Jaan and Gaman, talks about the role that the cinema and fashion industries play in connecting rural India with the urban audience. Edited excerpt from the interview: Pallavi Srivastava: You have been a part of the Hindi film industry for… Continue reading We need parallel cinema now more than ever: Muzaffar Ali

Jailhouse RJs rock in Odisha prison

A group of unassuming prisoners bear the torch of transformation in the depths of Jharpada jail in Bhubaneswar of Odisha, where the weight of incarceration presses heavily on each soul.  They have their own signature introductory lines. Harpal, with his spirited cry of “Mast Punjabi”, Lakshman, the rhythmic herald of “One Two Ka Four, Four… Continue reading Jailhouse RJs rock in Odisha prison

Punjab’s daughters revive its cotton weaving tradition

Gurcharan Kaur, a resilient soul of 75, weaves the threads of her existence in the summer heat scorching her quiet village of Kotli in Sri Muktsar Sahib district of Punjab. Her hands, weathered by time, find solace in the rhythmic spin of the charkha, a timeless symbol of self-reliance with weaving cotton. “I am now… Continue reading Punjab’s daughters revive its cotton weaving tradition