130 varieties and counting: Kerala taps tubers

“It may come as a surprise but the humble tubers changed my life,” said Manuel Pallikiamialil, a 75-year-old tuber conservationist from Wayanad in Kerala.  His family members were small scale farmers. In the late 1930s many families including his migrated from the Idduki region to Wayanad in need of more land to cultivate to escape… Continue reading 130 varieties and counting: Kerala taps tubers

Cut off from forests, Odisha’s tribe struggles to survive

Sriram Dehuri, 72, reminisces about his old home and the forest his semi-nomadic forefathers harvested in what has become one of Odisha’s much-vaunted tiger and nature reserves – the Similipal National Park in Mayurbhanj district. He is among many Hill Kharia people who had to leave the deep woods and move into small, brick-and-mortar, asbestos-roofed… Continue reading Cut off from forests, Odisha’s tribe struggles to survive

Kerala’s first transgender lawyer helps promote inclusivity

Lawyer Padma Lakshmi walks confidently among the throng of black-coated advocates in a courthouse in Kochi, the Kerala port that for millennia was the starting point of the spice trade. But she is not just another lawyer running for a meeting.  Padma became Kerala’s first transgender lawyer on March 21 this year and her example… Continue reading Kerala’s first transgender lawyer helps promote inclusivity

Visit these lesser-known heritage sites of rural India

Pathra, the temple village of Bengal Located about 15 km from Medinipur (Midnapore) in West Bengal is a village called Pathra, with temples that are almost 200 years old. With temples standing in a row along the Kangsabati river, this gorgeous heritage spot should be visited for its terracotta artwork and unique architecture. How to… Continue reading Visit these lesser-known heritage sites of rural India

‘Heritage is where your identity lies’

Village Square:  Heritage India focuses on taking history outside the classroom. What does that involve? Manjiri Khandekar: In a classroom setting, learning about a conflict or a dynasty or a war may seem boring and not as exciting. Even if you have a great history teacher in the class, it cannot be as impactful as… Continue reading ‘Heritage is where your identity lies’

Chhattisgarh’s magical mahua flowers in pics

Freshly plucked mahua flowers taste somewhat like grapes and their strong fragrance can reach long distances. Mahua trees, some of which are more than 20 years old, make the region’s landscape look gorgeous. An adivasi family catches a break on a hot summer day. As the process of collecting mahua can be long and backbreaking,… Continue reading Chhattisgarh’s magical mahua flowers in pics

How these farmers grow more crop per drop

More crop per drop. This became the tagline for Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana, a scheme that promotes micro irrigation, with the ultimate aim of efficient water use in the agriculture sector. When micro irrigation is introduced, especially those in water deficient areas such as the Surendranagar district of Gujarat, the farmers are able to… Continue reading How these farmers grow more crop per drop

How women’s market sustains indigenous food system

Ava Market is a women-run market in the heart of Ukhrul, that serves as a one stop point for groceries and other kitchen needs for the local populace. The market also reflects the rich indigenous food system of the Tangkhul community, with various plants, herbs and local vegetables available throughout the year along with other… Continue reading How women’s market sustains indigenous food system

The notice that proves no one takes dowry in this village

Marriages are made in heaven, but an earthly firman decrees that no wedding happens in a picturesque village of about 6,000 people in central Kashmir without the signing of an undertaking. Kind of like a prenup, the contract is binding on everyone and it says no one will give or accept a dowry — in… Continue reading The notice that proves no one takes dowry in this village

Start your year in April with these celebrations

Mesha Sankranti (Uttarakhand) Celebrated primarily in Uttarakhand on April 14, Mesha Sankranti is celebrated by visiting places considered holy such as Haridwar, Kashi, Rishikesh and Mathura. People start the new year by taking a dip in the holy Ganga and offering prayers to Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu on this auspicious day (Photo from Shutterstock)… Continue reading Start your year in April with these celebrations

‘Soilless’ farming bears fruit for Odisha women farmers

Rashmita of Medinipur village in Odisha’s Keonjhar district watched helplessly when her husband had to migrate to Telangana to find work some five years ago.  The small patch of farmland that the couple owns could not be adequately cultivated in absence of proper irrigation, and Rashmita could barely do anything to stop her desperate husband… Continue reading ‘Soilless’ farming bears fruit for Odisha women farmers

Millet mantras: Your guide to a healthy platter

Millets are occupying the unmissable front spot at grocery store shelves. Fancy restaurants have tweaked their menu to give millets pride of place. None other than Indian prime minister Narendra Modi has been talking highly of millets, and has been instrumental in getting the United Nations to declare 2023 as the International Year of Millets.… Continue reading Millet mantras: Your guide to a healthy platter

She chose to wear mangalsutra even after her husband’s death

My life is not extraordinary but in my own way I’ve managed to trigger change that has helped many women in my village and beyond.  I was born in Herwad, a small village in Maharashtra, very close to the Karnataka border.  My father Ramchandra Mane was a farmer. I used to help my mother take… Continue reading She chose to wear mangalsutra even after her husband’s death

Not all rainbows for trans people in Mizoram

A Mizo proverb talks about a kernel of grain being smashed between two grindstones. In English, the phrase is being caught between a rock and a hard place. Jojo Lalchhanda, a 21-year-old hairstylist in Mizoram’s capital city Aizawl, knows both well. Jojo goes by the generic singular “she” instead of the gender-neutral pronoun “they”. Born… Continue reading Not all rainbows for trans people in Mizoram

Tribal dairy farmers prosper with ‘solar-irrigated’ fodder

Rural economies of several districts have received a boost with sustained efforts at dairy development in the country. With its collection of about 50 lakh litres per day, valued at Rs 20 crore, Banaskantha district in Gujarat perhaps stands out in this respect.  Several districts in drought-prone areas such as Ahmednagar in Maharashtra, Kolar in… Continue reading Tribal dairy farmers prosper with ‘solar-irrigated’ fodder

Why farmers in Mizoram quit oil palm cultivation

Lalrampana has been an oil palm farmer in Rengtekawn village in Kolasib district of Mizoram for the past decade.  The 51-year-old farmer has 160 trees spread across one hectare of land where he has been doing oil palm cultivation since 2011.  He also cultivates areca nuts in the same land as an intercrop.  Though oil… Continue reading Why farmers in Mizoram quit oil palm cultivation

Malayattoor, the holy hill with crosses and a ‘gold’ rock

Christians in Kerala attend the famous pilgrimage at Malayattoor to see the footprints of St. Thomas on the rocks up the hill. It is said that St. Thomas, one of the apostles of Jesus Christ, came to the state to preach Christianity in AD 52. Local legend suggests that when he reached Malayattoor, the residents… Continue reading Malayattoor, the holy hill with crosses and a ‘gold’ rock

‘We’re good at making laws, not implementing them’

Village Square: How have you sought the help of courts in your fight against female foeticide? Sabu George: I’ve done a lot of litigation to build jurisprudence on protecting child rights and ensuring better implementation of the laws. In India, while we are very good at making laws, their implementation is really poor, especially social… Continue reading ‘We’re good at making laws, not implementing them’

Mewa Rani’s journey for a healthier Haryana

Anganwadi centres are government-run creches established under the Integrated Child Development Scheme. One of the major focuses of the program is on providing supplementary nutrition to children under six and to pregnant and lactating women. Along with educating, helping with immunization of both children and women etc. At the anganwadi centre in Malab village, children… Continue reading Mewa Rani’s journey for a healthier Haryana

Add these local superfoods to your meals

When it comes to superfoods, India is a treasure trove. Here’s a list of some very effective superfoods that you’ve perhaps been consuming (or avoiding) since childhood, but try as you may, you can never escape them.   Haldi (turmeric) A glass of warm milk with a pinch of haldi will not only give you great… Continue reading Add these local superfoods to your meals