Why are most women in Sundarbans anaemic?

The frail frame of 17-year-old Sarika Khatun belies her age, and she speaks in a low, laboured voice about her frequent headaches that sometimes feel like a hammer driving a nail through her skull. She, like many women and girls in the Sundarbans delta of West Bengal, has anaemia.  “The headaches are so intense that… Continue reading Why are most women in Sundarbans anaemic?

‘Queer community needs access to housing, health and jobs’

Village Square: One of the arguments made during the recent marriage equality case was that the LGBTQIA+ community is limited to a small group comprising the urban elite. How do you respond to that? Rajesh Srinivas: Earlier the argument was that it is a Western construct. It is not an urban construct. According to a… Continue reading ‘Queer community needs access to housing, health and jobs’

Soilless agriculture takes root in Haryana

Archit Singhal’s twin poly houses on 1.25 acres are a riot of colours. Red and yellow bell peppers, luscious orange candy tomatoes and tangerine banana peppers are peeping amidst green leaves on a rain-washed afternoon.  Singhal, who is in his early twenties, has been growing these vegetables through hydroponics for the past two years.  “My… Continue reading Soilless agriculture takes root in Haryana

It’s millets all the way for these women in Odisha

The serene village of Tainsi, nestled in the heart of Angul district in Odisha, is what Kamalini Sahoo calls home. The 36-year-old smallholder farmer has always been passionate about the land and its bountiful offerings.  She possessed an unwavering belief that sustainable agriculture could transform not only her own life but also the lives of… Continue reading It’s millets all the way for these women in Odisha

The wrung dhobi ghats of Kashmir

Among the numerous Dhobi Ghats lining the banks of the Jhelum in the Old City of Srinagar, only a handful remain with active laundrymen. These few functional ghats have carried on this legacy for centuries, including Kadleh Yarbal, Bhatteh Yaar Ghat, Owasi Sahab Ghat, Vidya Bhawan Ghat, Kokar Yarbal Ghat, and Safa Kadal Ghat. Bilal… Continue reading The wrung dhobi ghats of Kashmir

This Odisha trans woman is breaking barriers with ‘pride’

Chhavi, who hails from Banmali Prasad village in Dhenkanal district of Odisha, faced jibes and ridicule from strangers and family alike when she expressed her identity. She then went on to form a self help group, Maa Budhi Dei, that now works with the local municipality to manage waste disposal. She tells her story –… Continue reading This Odisha trans woman is breaking barriers with ‘pride’

Fighting prejudice and promoting queer rights

The coverage at Village Square has always included the voices of the LGBTQ+ community. Over the last year too, we have told stories about their struggles, victories and other experiences from various parts of the country.  From the northeast, we found that the Mizoram government’s proposal to create shelter homes for abandoned and destitute transgender… Continue reading Fighting prejudice and promoting queer rights

Enthralling queer short stories from rural India

A pride day storytelling competition gave us some very interesting short stories from rural India. Here are the winning entries: In the Memory of the Sun and Moon Story by: Rishav Sharma Sahuri and Ambika, two young souls entwined in a forbidden love, sought solace within the embrace of a secret hideout nestled beneath the… Continue reading Enthralling queer short stories from rural India

Impact of climate change on Kashmir’s mushroom pickers

When the Celsius hits 15 to 20 degrees in the daytime, it’s the perfect time of year for “gucchi” to start springing up in the Himalayas of Jammu and Kashmir. Soil temperatures warm, and competition to find the tasty, coveted fungi heats up. The gucchi mushroom, the local name for morel, is prized by professional… Continue reading Impact of climate change on Kashmir’s mushroom pickers

Breaking barriers with ‘pride’

On this Pride Day, we showcase Chhavi Maa from Odisha’s Dhenkanal and her fight for acceptance of her true identity. Her captivating tale reveals the power of self-help groups, the recognition earned, and the ignited hope for others embracing their dreams. Born in Banamali Prasad village to a poor family, Chhavi’s studies were limited to… Continue reading Breaking barriers with ‘pride’

How areca nut plantations get ready for monsoon

A treeline of tall areca nut plants is a common sight in coastal Karnataka. The state is the leading producer of the crop that has a variety of purposes including medicinal and recreation. The crop has a huge cultural value and is a common sight in the social, cultural and religious life of the region.… Continue reading How areca nut plantations get ready for monsoon

Atheism library attempts to stoke curiosity in Bihar village

Asha Khaira is a small village surrounded by three channels of Gandak, one of the major rivers in Bihar. It is by the banks of these channels that SNS Jigyasu, when in his youth, would sit down with other villagers to conduct reading sessions. Now in his late fifties, Jigyasu is carrying on with the… Continue reading Atheism library attempts to stoke curiosity in Bihar village

Weekly markets bring healthcare closer to Chhattisgarh tribals

Kanker district is located in the southern region of Chhattisgarh. Earlier a part of the old Bastar district, Kanker was made a separate district in 1998.  With 1,004 villages, this district is predominantly rural. Scheduled Tribes make up 55 percent of the population, with a majority of them living in remote, forested and inaccessible areas. … Continue reading Weekly markets bring healthcare closer to Chhattisgarh tribals

Ganjapa – Odisha’s most colourful card game

Odisha boasts the largest community of Ganjapa card players and manufacturers in India. This card game gained popularity in the districts of Gajapati, Ganjam, and Puri along the state’s east coast. The cards possess a distinctive design, often circular and adorned with Pattachitra art, a renowned Indian Folk Art celebrated for its intricate depictions of… Continue reading Ganjapa – Odisha’s most colourful card game

The not-so-sweet journey of Uttarakhand’s peaches

With dusty pink patches lending a blushing glow to its citrine skin tone, peaches are one of the prettiest fruits. They are also among the most succulent ones. It’s difficult to bite into a ripe peach without having a streak of its syrupy juice flowing down your chin. The luscious drupes have been for several… Continue reading The not-so-sweet journey of Uttarakhand’s peaches

How Odisha’s Kondh tribe resolves conflicts

Preface: The social governance systems in Indian villages remained relatively stable for centuries. The khaap, jajmani, bara balutedar and the gam bura systems are but a few examples of these stable systems in different parts of the country. When viewed through the lens of today’s values, they appear patriarchal, feudal and iniquitous. But they served… Continue reading How Odisha’s Kondh tribe resolves conflicts

Glittering Punjabi juttis hide grim story of shoemakers

There is no room for error when Jaswant Ram sits down to work outside his home. His hands move swiftly in silence, stitching pieces of leather together over 200 times using a coarse cotton thread.  The end result is a piece of Punjabi jutti – the much-celebrated colourful and vibrant footwear known worldwide for its… Continue reading Glittering Punjabi juttis hide grim story of shoemakers

The island village that gets cut off every monsoon

Come the rainy season and it’s not just the moisture-laden winds that weigh down Pavoor Uliya, an island on the Netravati river in Dakshina Kannada district of Karnataka. The monsoon brings with it a sense of desolation for the residents here, year after year.  In summer, they use the lone bridge on the island to… Continue reading The island village that gets cut off every monsoon

Young musicians revive Sufi music in Kashmir

Jammu and Kashmir has its own musical instruments that have always been used by singers who are inclined towards Sufism. Over the years, with the advent of new technology, these traditional musical instruments have been fading from the scene. However, a few young artistes have learnt how to play the rabab and sarangi from their… Continue reading Young musicians revive Sufi music in Kashmir

This colourful card game from Odisha is art

Ganjapa is a traditional card game that gained popularity in the 16th century. Introduced by the Persians, it was primarily a recreational game played exclusively by male members of society. Odisha is known for having the largest community of Ganjapa players and manufacturers. The unique aspect of this game is the hand-painted cards. The circular-shaped… Continue reading This colourful card game from Odisha is art