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Ration sustains marginalized households through lockdown

Relief package of dry rations alleviated the hunger and food insecurity of informal wage workers who had lost their livelihood during the pandemic.

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Rural job guarantee program sequesters tons of carbon

MGNREGS, the anti-poverty scheme has ensured food security to millions, especially during the pandemic. The natural asset created through the scheme helps in carbon capture

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Kashmir’s plum no longer a plum crop for farmers

With increasing production costs and constant selling price over the years, farmers find growing plums economically unviable. They hope to explore new markets for better returns

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Women sustain traditional wisdom of conserving indigenous seeds

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Understanding the close link between crop diversity and resilience, women farmers in Mandla ensure that the conservation practice of climate-resilient traditional seeds continues

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Extreme weather events destroy Himachal’s apple orchards

Unseasonal rains, snow fall and hailstorms have damaged lakhs of apple trees, ruining Shimla’s famed fruits. This has dented the orchardists’ income and government’s revenue

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Women volunteers allay vaccine fears in Jharkhand

Acting as a bridge between communities and public health services, setu didis addressed the concerns of villagers and convinced them to get vaccinated.

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Villagers demolish flood-ravaged homes to save recyclables

Families in the Champaran districts demolished their own houses to save construction materials before the entire house was washed away by River Sikrahna in spate

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Ostriches or supplicants? Missing home insurance in rural India

Disasters destroy houses. Despite living in disaster-prone areas, people do not opt for home insurance. They prefer to take the disaster relief offered by the government

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Pandemic pushes impoverished villagers into further debts

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With income from marginal landholdings and rain-fed agriculture unable to sustain them, tribal communities migrate for work to clear loans. Pandemic has pushed them into perpetual debts.

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Conservation of bio-resources improves farmer’s livelihood

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Revival of non-forest timber produce species that are rare and have market value, and the species’ mass multiplication ensures conservation while enhancing farm income

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Supplementary teaching helps students’ overall development

The activity-based program, aimed at age-appropriate learning of students in government schools, has also improved their academic performance, besides ensuring comprehensive progress

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Tribal women seize opportunities, turn micro entrepreneurs

With the right support, women in Khunti have overcome challenges and emerged as entrepreneurs. Each woman’s micro business has been her family’s financial mainstay during the pandemic

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Villagers’ fear of vaccines wanes slowly with awareness

Counselling and convincing various village influencers, and encouraging youth volunteers on their campaign drives have helped communities get past rumors and fears to get vaccinated

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How can rural India prepare for a third wave

Experience from Jharkhand proves that synergic effort involving local administration, community collectives and civil society organizations can help villages face COVID-19 third wave.

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Kashmir’s cherry farmers face the impact of pandemic

Tangmarg’s cherry farmers, who find selling directly to tourists more lucrative, are in a fix as the popular tourist spots have been closed because of the pandemic

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Decentralization to localization: Collectives and local development

Community collectives working alongside local administration have reversed pandemic situation and ensured livelihood support. With concomitant procedural measures, the synergy can continue beyond the pandemic

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When COVID-19 reaches the vulnerable tribes in hilltops

Despite government’s efforts, reluctance to get tested and isolated, and not adhering to COVID-19 safety protocols, has led to an increase in infection among Odisha’s particularly vulnerable tribal groups

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Community establishes subcenter for better health care

Sharing a cramped space with the anganwadi, the health subcenter lacked facilities. Villagers joined hands and opened a subcenter in spacious premises, enabling maternal care and COVID-19 vaccination

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Maternal and child health sidelined amidst COVID-19 emergencies

Rural women dependent on public health care system have not been able to access maternal health care services as hospitals’ focus is on overcoming the COVID-19 crisis

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Decentralization to localization: the emerging community–PRI–government compact

As communities rose to fill the lacunae in rural public systems, it is time the potential of the social capital was recognized, and grassroots institutions strengthened for rural transformation