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Regressive cultural practices lead to skewed sex ratio

Preference for boys disturbs expectant mothers during the very fertility rituals that are meant to bless them, affecting their psyche, besides resulting in low sex ratio and inferior status of women

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Land allotment helps single women live with dignity

The Odisha government’s free allocation of land, combined with the central government’s housing funds, have enabled single women in rural areas to build houses for themselves

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Land rights on pastures empower deprived communities

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Giving land rights to landless and nomadic people in Maharashtra on degraded pastures have provided these marginalized communities with a reasonable livelihood

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her life

Of cow urine and human waste: faith, folklore and science

While there is a surfeit of folklore on cow urine as a miracle material, the waste of other cattle and humans, which are also dependable resources, should be checked for efficacy

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her life

Kitchen gardens improve nutritional diversity of Kondhs

Overcoming taboos and becoming more knowledgeable about abundant local foods, malnourished Kondh people in Odisha are bringing diversity to their food baskets through backyard kitchen gardens

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Coastal farmers harvest riches with hardy vetiver

Farmers in India’s east coast, which is vulnerable to cyclones and floods, have found commercial success by growing vetiver, a perennial grass also known as khus that has a variety of uses

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Healthcare of elderly suffers with youth migration

With little livelihood opportunities in villages, the youth in rural Maharashtra migrate to cities, leading to delayed healthcare of elderly dependents and increased medical expenses

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Accessible education for deprived rural students

Established in rural areas lacking in development, state-run model schools in Rajasthan are offering quality education for free to students from socially and economically disadvantaged backgrounds

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Kuruba shepherds struggle to retain traditional lifestyle

As demand for sheep wool blankets decline, Kuruba shepherds of Karnataka have started rearing their sheep for meat and milk. They have also taken to farming to boost incomes

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Tharuvaikulam boatwrights adapt to changing trends

With the demand for fiber-reinforced plastic boats increasing after the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, wooden boat builders of Tharuvaikulam in Tamil Nadu adapt to growing needs of the marine fishing sector

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Local livelihoods curb exploitative labor trafficking

To stop poor villagers from becoming bonded migrant labor, the Odisha government needs to strengthen latest steps to cut out middlemen and boost the rural jobs guarantee program with higher wages

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Child panchayats spur village leaders to improve services

Knowing their rights to life and social protection, school students in child panchayats have compelled rural administrators to provide basic amenities necessary for the development of their villages

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Cattle trade dwindles at Sonepur Mela

Enforcement of laws related to cattle trade has affected the famed Sonepur cattle fair, with cattle numbers decreasing steadily at the fair and sale dwindling by the year

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Himachal’s organic farmers turn market-savvy

Collective representation helps smallholder organic farmers in Himachal’s Mandi district sell their produce directly to consumers in Delhi at a premium price, increasing their earnings

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Custard apple thrives in Maharashtra’s dryland farms

Switching from traditional crops, farmers in rain-shadow areas of Maharashtra have found that growing custard apple suited for varied soil and climatic conditions is highly remunerative

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Bamboo eliminates poverty among Wayanad villagers

Impoverished villages in Kerala’s Wayanad have found green gold in bamboo handicrafts and utility products, which have helped eliminate poverty and given them a regular source of income

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Diversified organic farming can transform Marathwada

Smallholder women farmers in the climate-threatened Marathwada region of Maharashtra are ensuring nutritional security and additional income for their families through diversified organic agriculture

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India needs poverty fighters to boost rural incomes

Ending endemic economic poverty in the central and eastern parts of rural India needs more numbers of trained foot soldiers to deal with the complex realities on the ground