Constructed by Agah Syed Safdar Jalali in 1863, Jalali House, a haveli in Srinagar, displays a unique blend of Kashmir’s traditional architectural style. It was built by using arch—Taq—structural engineering, which is an ancient way of constructing structures. The western side of the haveli has big halls on all three floors with smaller side rooms.… Continue reading The Srinagar haveli where ‘Rockstar’ was shot
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A woman’s fight against corruption in Odisha
Minati Panda, 50, of Kalabuda village under Garadpur block of Kendrapada district, began her work against corruption more than 12 years ago. She talks about her journey in her own words. We, a family of six, lived in a cramped three-room house. A part of the house collapsed during cyclone Fani in 1999. My father,… Continue reading A woman’s fight against corruption in Odisha
With no scope for their craft, Wadhas become labourers
On a sunny day, we met Fakirabhai at Misiriyado village in Gujarat’s banni grasslands, home to the Wadha community. He was busy crafting something out of wood, while his son sat beside him. His wife was busy with the household chores. He belongs to the Wadha or Me, a lesser-known community living in Gujarat. When… Continue reading With no scope for their craft, Wadhas become labourers
Sikkim flowers go online
Amit Subba from Daragaon village in Pakyong district of Sikkim has spent the past three years tending to the soil of his ambitions. The 27-year-old farmer has been nurturing a kaleidoscope of flowers – orchids, gerberas et al. His home, a mere 25km from the bustling state capital of Gangtok, is an oasis of blossoms… Continue reading Sikkim flowers go online
Reviving humpback mahseer in Cauvery’s hidden world
A majestic fish once thrived in the waters of the Cauvery and its meandering tributaries — the humpback mahseer. But today, this aquatic wonder known as the “tiger of water” stands at the precipice of oblivion, clutching desperately to survival as it earns the dreaded title of “critically endangered” on the IUCN red list. To… Continue reading Reviving humpback mahseer in Cauvery’s hidden world
MGNREGA: Armed with app, Odisha women show the way
In the heart of the dense forest-covered region of Gonasika lies a quaint village named Talabaitarini. It is ensconced within the serene beauty of Banspal administrative block in Keonjhar district. The hills and hillocks that surround Gonasika seem to guard its natural treasures, including a picturesque old pond. But the pond was in dire need… Continue reading MGNREGA: Armed with app, Odisha women show the way
Sang tarash: Kashmir’s stone carvers face hard truth
Stone carving has thrived in Kashmir for centuries, representing a rich heritage. However, this medieval art form is slowly losing prominence in the face of modernisation. Dewar kaen, a local stone, serves as the primary material for crafting various artefacts by skilled stone masons, known as sang tarash, in the Kashmir region. Also Read: Ladakh… Continue reading Sang tarash: Kashmir’s stone carvers face hard truth
Sustainable farming: Kerala village women sow seeds of change
Celine Manuel, a dynamic 50-year-old from Marakavu in Wayanad, Kerala, has dedicated her life to women’s empowerment and sustainable agriculture. She envisioned a united front of women in her village, aiming not only to contribute to society but also to achieve economic freedom. This vision led to the formation of the Thanima self-help group (SHG)… Continue reading Sustainable farming: Kerala village women sow seeds of change
Seasonal schools in Kashmir
Seasonal schools have been set up in Kashmir in response to the unique migratory patterns of the region’s tribal people, such as the Gujjar and Bakarwal communities. These seasonal schools operate for six months each year in Kashmir, aligning with the migratory cycle of these nomadic groups. When the harsh winter descends upon the region,… Continue reading Seasonal schools in Kashmir
Smartphones bringing kids closer to studies in rural India
Urban parents may be grappling with deciding how much screen time is too much for their children but access to smartphones is certainly working out as a welcome addition to the lives of village kids across India, particularly in education. As many as 68 percent of the rural parents who provided access to smartphones to… Continue reading Smartphones bringing kids closer to studies in rural India
‘Education should make people capable of helping others’
Village Square: How deep is the rural-urban divide when it comes to literacy in India? Indraani Singh: I will go a few decades back when I was a kid and went to my mother’s village in West Bengal. I had to travel a long distance to access the toilet. A few decades later in the… Continue reading ‘Education should make people capable of helping others’
Booze bottles become bangles in dry state Bihar
The clock struck 4 in the afternoon, marking the passage of time. The hour had drawn close to the end of Rinku Devi’s daily shift. But this unassuming figure in the world of glass bangles in Bihar showed no haste to return home. Instead, she sat alongside her co-worker and toiled beneath a sweltering roof,… Continue reading Booze bottles become bangles in dry state Bihar
Watermelon brings prosperity to grape village in Kashmir
In a plot twist that even Bollywood would envy, the quaint village of Batwina in Ganderbal of central Kashmir has ditched its grape gig for a juicy watermelon adventure. Yes, you read that right – the village realised it’s better to be the cool, refreshing superhero of summer fruits than just another grape in the… Continue reading Watermelon brings prosperity to grape village in Kashmir
This is Pulikkali — Kerala’s roaring Onam dance
In the Thrissur district of Kerala, Pulikkali dance is performed on the fourth day of Onam festival, with the local people painting themselves as leopards, tigers and lions and dancing to the rhythmic tune of traditional drums such as chenda and thakil. The tune used for Pulikkali Onam dance has a unique rhythm and is… Continue reading This is Pulikkali — Kerala’s roaring Onam dance
Trekking through Kashmir’s great lakes
On Day 1 of the trekking through Kashmir’s great lakes, you embark from Sonamarg to the Table Top peak, journeying through dense maple forests, rocky landscapes and picturesque meadows. After a 4-5 hour walk you are rewarded with stunning vistas and the delightful companionship of the Gujjar-Bakarwal community, enhancing the overall experience. Also Read: Her… Continue reading Trekking through Kashmir’s great lakes
Right to education: Where there is a wall, there is a way
In a tribal village near Asansol, ‘Raster Master’ Deepnarayan Nayak started an outdoor school in 2014. He transformed mud walls into classrooms with blackboards, aiming to provide education to underprivileged children. His 3G model involved three generations, fostering a sense of community and shared knowledge. Beyond traditional education, he integrated technology, nutrition, and native languages… Continue reading Right to education: Where there is a wall, there is a way
‘Bajra is most known millet across India’
Call it embracing the new buzzword in health food or rediscovering the goodness of traditional grains, turns out millet is indeed finding a place on the plates of most Indians. As many as 65 percent of people in the country have consumed millet including pearl millet (bajra) at some point in their lives and in… Continue reading ‘Bajra is most known millet across India’
Jharkhand woman turns entrepreneur making bamboo handicrafts
Mira Devi of Kelo village in Jharkhand, was like any other rural homemaker, dedicating her time and effort to daily household chores. However, she harboured a dream of increasing her household income. As bamboo is available in abundance in the forest area surrounding her village in the Rania administrative block of Khunti district, she decided… Continue reading Jharkhand woman turns entrepreneur making bamboo handicrafts
Entrepreneurship: Street vendors and market theories
As an excited student of public policy, nothing appealed to me more than the amazing theories of development, economics and social dynamics. During the classes, I would sit and imagine how, during my period of district immersion, I would take these theories to the less fortunate and the deprived. They were probably lagging behind in… Continue reading Entrepreneurship: Street vendors and market theories
This venture is all about Konkan coconuts
On a sweltering day of coastal exploration in Goa, a roadside quench awaits every traveller — long sips of tender coconut water. Revered for its natural refreshment and health benefits, it’s a South Asian staple. Yet, Goan coconut farming lags behind in modern agricultural practices due to historical neglect and land commercialisation. However, change is… Continue reading This venture is all about Konkan coconuts