Features
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
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
Adapting to market needs, weavers find financial success
In a remote village in Majuli island, women who have always woven their traditional garments, are using their weaving skills to make different products and earn more
Cash crop cotton loses lustre for Ganjam farmers
Lack of transportation and marketing facilities and exploitation by private money lenders have forced cotton growers to cultivate other crops despite cotton’s potential for good returns
Through multi-tier farming women minimize risks, maximize profits
Growing a minimum of three crops per season, women farmers overcome climate risks. Staggered harvest from multiple crops help then earn through the year and overcome market risks
Dairy cooperative leads to empowerment of women
Women who were confined to their homes became dairy farmers as SHG members, subsequently forming a self-reliant cooperative. It has resulted in empowering them socially and financially
Odisha fares poorly in women’s safety, despite government efforts
Statistics reveal rampant gender-based violence and inequality in Odisha. A concerted multi-stakeholder effort is needed to bring about change, as government initiatives are slow in bearing results
Women-run platform ensures gender justice to rural women
A socio-legal forum led by rural women resolves gender-based conflicts and injustice within families and communities, and helps women in villages lead a dignified life
Social entrepreneur improves rural livelihood opportunities
Quitting a lucrative job and taking up farming, engineer runs a farm-based enterprise, enabling women farmers to become rural entrepreneurs
Tribes hope to revive degenerated agriculture through development plan
Development eluded two remote Irula tribal villages in Western Ghats. Through Tribal Sub-Plan being implemented, they hope to revive agriculture that once kept them self-sufficient
Educated Dalits and Adivasis turn laborers during lockdown
With hard-earned and loan-funded professional and arts degrees, rural youth who lost their jobs during lockdown have taken up MGNREGS work in Bidar