Increased water demand during lockdown brought to fore Tindori village’s lack of a reliable water source. Digging a well near monsoon ravines, community has ensured prolonged water availability
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Women get trained for employment and starting enterprises
Second Chance program helps girls who had quit education take up jobs after a short training, and helps women farm and set up small units
Piplantri plants 111 trees for birth of every girl child
The World Day of Social Justice commemorated on 20 February, is an ideal day to highlight the gender equality that Piplantri ensures, by celebrating the birth of every girl child
Paddy farmers reap rich harvest through SRI cultivation
Growing paddy the traditional way pushed farmers into poverty as the yields were low. Switching to SRI method has helped them harvest more than twice the normal yield
Plant nurseries bear fruits of success, empowerment for women
By coming together as a group and raising plant nurseries, women who were being exploited by money lenders, earn more to feed and care for their families better
Women weave plastic waste into utilitarian products
Traditionally adept at weaving, women around Kaziranga weave products with threads made from plastic bags, and cotton thread, to reduce plastic pollution and earn a livelihood
Helping hands pull Jharkhand farmers from the brink
Farmers who were in the brink of starvation during lockdown were identified through vulnerable mapping. With quality seeds and training in better practices, they are reaping better yields
Community radio helps villagers get factual, timely information
Be it farming practice or awareness on nutrition and coronavirus infection, 90.8 Green FM has been helping listeners get accurate information in formats that appeal to them
Women’s cooperative introduces insurance during pandemic
As fear of coronavirus gripped villagers during the initial phase of lockdown and their livelihood was lost, a federation of women introduced insurance schemes for their benefit
Empowered rural women demonstrate leadership skills
Providing an enabling environment transforms and empowers rural women. Building on their abilities, the women realize their potential to lead and become change makers
Baul singers take to digital performances during lockdown
Minstrels of Bengal who carry on traditional baul singing were hit hard by the lockdown. Ticketed live streaming has enabled them to sustain themselves and their art
Revived shallow springs fulfill water needs of villages
Once a perennial source of drinking water, natural springs called jhirias started vanishing. Revived and conserved, the springs’ water is now filtered and supplied through hand posts
Kerala farmers revive age-old check dams
By reviving traditional water management structures called kattas, temporarily built for a few months every year, farmers are solving water problems in an environment-friendly manner
How rural India showed resilience, synergy during lockdown
Republic Day is an ideal occasion to celebrate rural India’s positive progress. VillageSquare recollects how communities used the lockdown productively, despite difficulties and loss of livelihoods.
How climate-induced changes affect children more
With extreme weather events affecting villagers, children miss education, are more susceptible to malnutrition and diseases, and are forced to take up labor work
Residential school empowers tribal children through education
For tribes lacking access to education, a residential school functioning in Bhubaneswar exclusively for tribal children, offers education, and equips them with life and career skills
Villagers build secondary school to educate their children
Residents of Chuikhim built a secondary school, to ensure better prospects for their children. Sans funds, local youth run the school, hopeful of government aid and recognition
Community efforts save Goan heritage lake
Santa Cruz residents have come together to prevent dried up Bondvol Lake from being converted to real estate, and got it declared as a wetland, spurring more villagers to protect natural assets
Rural women are unaware of the risk of breast cancer
Due to lack of information about breast cancer, misconceptions, shame and social stigma, women in villages risk their life by not getting screened and treated
American saffron emerges as an alternative crop to opium
In Jharkhand’s remote villages where opium has been cultivated illegally for many years, forest department promotes American saffron as an alternative crop of commercial value