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.
Livelihoods
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Manipur kindergarten kids learn to rock
Pam’s Kindergarten in Ukhrul seamlessly integrates music with the foundations of early education, showcasing the remarkable talents of its young students, particularly with the ukulele.
How livelihoods of the poor can be strengthened
The two-day Livelihoods India Summit being held in New Delhi brings together about 400 delegates with an aim to foster deliberations on issues relating to livelihoods promotion of the poor.
Dhokra balances preservation & evolution amidst challenges
Despite the creation of a designated space in the craft city area of Chhattisgarh’s Kondagaon for artisans to work, Dhokra craftsmen still face issues such as not receiving fair prices for their finished products and difficulty in accessing raw materials.
An elephant on the loom in river island Majuli
Battered by crop depredation and low farm yield, Majuli’s weavers grasp the loom of opportunity, creating not just garments but a narrative woven with threads of hope and transformation.