Livelihoods

Rural India is home of the original gig-economy worker. Enterprising villagers hop from tilling fields to tending shops, to door-to-door selling each day. Read the latest trends in micro-enterprises, rural start-ups and the shifting livelihoods of India’s villagers.

She uses the virtual platform to uplift artisans

Meenakshi Dubey, the founder of the online portal Yespoho and winner of the Union government’s Prajjwala Challenge, talks to us about how she uses technology to promote rural craftspersons.

Handloom and hues of success in Maheshwar

This school at Maheshwar in Madhya Pradesh helps aspiring master weavers polish their skills and gain cutting-edge know-how on the practices essential to succeeding in the handloom sector.

Empowering rural women, one sustainable pad at a time

Through her biodegradable sanitary pads brand Apna Green, Aruna Dara has started a movement for underprivileged women. She talks about her journey and emerging as one of the five winners of the Union government’s Prajjwala Challenge.

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How bamboo farming is transforming lives in Tripura

In West Tripura district, a quiet revolution is taking root as farmers embrace bamboo cultivation under the state’s Bamboo Mission, redefining livelihoods and fostering sustainability.

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From homemaker to ‘Dehati Madam who teaches English’

With over 3 lakh subscribers on her YouTube channel, this “Dehati Madam” from Uttar Pradesh is teaching English and rewriting her destiny using a budget smartphone, mobile data and a strong desire to learn.

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A Punjab college for girls where every student is a teacher

Baba Aya Singh Riarki College in Punjab’s Gurdaspur district stands as a beacon of empowerment, challenging stereotypes and showcasing how girls are capable of achieving remarkable feats.

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A Manipur village dares to dream, one Kachai lemon at a time

The Kachai lemon of Manipur has transcended its role as a mere fruit to become a catalyst for economic empowerment and self-reliance for people.

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What this interim budget holds for rural India

While the Rural Development Ministry got increased allocation, with MGNREGS getting a boost, not all schemes saw hikes in the interim budget 2024-25 presented by the Union government on Feb 1.

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Maharashtra village morphs into pomegranate haven

Pomegranate growers in Maharashtra have much to thank farmers of Satmane village for their pioneering initiative to make orchards climate-resilient.