Livelihoods
Mayurbhanj revives traditional looms
Mayurbhanj’s handloom legacy is experiencing a remarkable resurgence, stitching together threads of tradition and innovation, painting a brighter canvas for its future, one vibrant sari at a time.
Bengaluru couple’s startup goes back to the roots
From natural kajal to desi cow milk ghee, this startup by a Bengaluru-based couple offers products made using natural ingredients in an effort to promote sustainable living and empower rural communities.
A day at a village square
As Village Square turns 7 today, we feature a village square from Punjab where elders gather during the day as they return from fields – to take a nap, play cards or just catch up on everyday life.
Kerala women brew cups of joy with artisanal coffee
A coffee brand created by five women from Pinavoorkudi tribal village in Kerala has grown to become a trusted and favourite blend of beans.
Reviving Pattu-weaving in Barmer thread by thread
Young weaver Kheta Ram and his group are preserving Pattu weaving, by crafting fabrics steeped in history and creating a market for this traditional art.
Border tourism boosts Keran village
Standing on the banks of the roaring Kishanganga river, Keran has become a new tourism sensation in J&K bringing both hope and fortune to the villagers.
A secret beach where Goans party
Situated between the Arabian Sea and the rugged Sahyadri mountains in Sindhudurg district of Maharashtra, Shiroda is a tranquil, unspoiled getaway, far from the typical tourist hustle and bustle.
The journey of Kerala’s Chalakudy river
This Rivers Day, explore Chalakudy River, central Kerala's life source, as it journeys for 130 km -- from serene Anaimalai Hills to the Arabian Sea, nurturing lush landscapes and livelihoods.
‘Helicopter cars’: Bihar mechanic turns cars into ‘choppers’
Bored during the pandemic lockdown in 2020, a mechanic and his two brothers in Bihar’s Saran district started converting cars into helicopter raths (chariots), which are now a craze during weddings.
Punjab’s daughters revive its cotton weaving tradition
In a remarkable resurgence, 27 women, guided by Rupsi Garg and supported by her Trinjan project, rekindle Punjab’s fading art of spinning and weaving cotton products, gaining financial independence and a deep sense of happiness.
Sustainable farming: Kerala village women sow seeds of change
Women in Wayanad district of Kerala are conserving native varieties of vegetable seeds, ushering economic prosperity and ensuring sustainable agriculture.
Watermelon brings prosperity to grape village in Kashmir
In Kashmir’s Batwina village, watermelon farming is more than a mere agricultural endeavour — it’s a symbol of resilience, adaptability, and empowerment, showcasing how innovation can redefine the course of livelihoods in unexpected ways.
This venture is all about Konkan coconuts
With limited availability, the Konkan coconut often goes unnoticed. On this World Coconut Day, we dive into its uniqueness through a conversation with a Goan entrepreneur involved in bringing it closer to the consumers.
The sweet story of Kolkata’s Rabrigram
Rabrigram’s women have raised the bar of economic prosperity by supplying over 1,000kg of Indian dessert rabri to Kolkata, every day – fetching the village an annual revenue of Rs 60 lakh.
Traditional snake boat race in Kerala waters
During monsoon season, southern Kerala hosts Vallam Kali, a thrilling water sport. Snake boats called Chundan Vallams race for victory, drawing crowds from India and abroad to witness this spectacular event.
Sikkim’s organic farming revolution offers a success model
With its lush landscapes and bountiful harvests, Sikkim stands as a testament to the potential of organic farming, inspiring a greener, healthier future for agriculture across the nation.
Odisha’s vanishing tasar silkworm needs safety cocoon
Multi-pronged efforts have been launched to protect Similipal’s Modal ecorace silkworms, but more needs to be done to ensure that our future generations can continue to marvel at the delicate tasar silk produced by them.
Kashmir’s purple revolution with lavender cultivation
Prized for its oil, lavender blooms are being farmed on parcels considered wastelands before and these have cast a spell of hope, a promise of prosperity entwined with fragrance.
Join Village Square’s Webinar Series on Development Issues
Webinar - "How Solar Power is Revolutionizing Irrigation for the Rural Poor". Learn from experts about sustainable solutions for remote rural areas, discussing technical, social, and income-enhancing aspects.
Pickled cashews & more at this women-run factory in Goa
From pickled to smoked cashews and more, this cashew factory with mostly women employees offers flavourful treats and a heartwarming story.