Bihar
This Bihar village brings stones to life
For centuries, the craft of stone carving has been in the blood and bones of Pattharkatti. In humble workshops filled with the dust and sound of chiseling, artisans hammer stones to life — giving them a fresh appeal.
Bihar women weave a new future with sikki grass
In Bihar's Jhanjharpur block, Munni Devi weaves not just baskets, toys and dolls but also the futures of other women in her village with Madhubani’s magical sikki grass.
How this youth champions organic farming
Satyam Kumar from an agricultural family, immerses himself in organic farming and related activities after graduating in chemistry, and works towards changing unfavourable perceptions about farming.
Breaking barriers: Kabaddi coach empowers women in Bihar
A transformative journey is unfolding in Bihar's Patna district under the guidance of kabaddi coach Mohammed Iliyas. For over 15 years, he has been sculpting the destinies of young women, navigating the landscape of gender inequality in a region where opportunities often seem elusive.
How the Oraon tribe makes Mahua liquor
In India, the Mahua flower, nestled in the branches of the Indian butter tree, is a cherished secret of the Oraon tribe. Explore the significance of Mahua liquor in their culture and its timeless recipe.
Master strokes of a Mithila maestro
Manisha Jha, a passionate Mithila painter and architect dedicated to preserving tradition, talks about her journey, artistic roots and vision for sustaining the rich folk art of this region.
Rural fests you can attend this November
India is bursting with celebrations - from colourful traditions and rituals to music, dance, sports and delicious food. Come and experience the magic of India's festivals taking place in November 2023.
Rural fests you can attend this October
India is bursting with celebrations - from colourful traditions and rituals to music, dance, sports and delicious food. Come and experience the magic of India's festivals taking place in October 2023.
‘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.
Booze bottles become bangles in dry state Bihar
A factory making bangles from discarded liquor bottles in Sabalpur village stands as a symbol of empowerment and resilience, offering hope to women who have found solace and strength in their work, regardless of the hurdles they face.
Atheism library attempts to stoke curiosity in Bihar village
Apna Atheism United Library is a rare initiative that aims to promote the art of questioning and propagate scientific temperament.
Dry taps drive people to toxic groundwater in Bihar
The government provides clean piped water to every household, but villagers in Saharsa district complain that the supply is irregular and inadequate, forcing them to use groundwater laced with arsenic.
‘Men acknowledge domestic violence shown in our plays’
Munia Murmu, 42, believes theatre has empowered her tremendously to address systemic, social issues of domestic violence and gender discrimination in her village. We speak to her about the transformative potential theatre holds for many women like her in Bihar and the rest of India.
Want bumper paddy harvest? Breed fish, say Bihar farmers
Digging ponds to breed fish as a livelihood brings multiple benefits to Patna farmers - fish pond water for irrigation, reduced use of chemicals and reverse migration to name a few.
Girls join football clubs to resist child marriages in rural Bihar
Once topping the charts in child marriages in the country, Bihar has reduced the incidence of this social evil considerably, helped by innovative interventions such as starting girls clubs for solidarity and encouraging them to play football
Droughts, floods, and suicides: What Bihar can teach Maharashtra and other states
A deeper dive is needed to draw insights from the low prevalence of farmer suicides in Bihar than in more developed regions of India such as Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, and Andhra Pradesh
Pockets of prosperity bloom in Vaishali due to cauliflower seed farming
A combination of modern farming techniques and savvy marketing of cauliflower seeds is providing a large number of young people in Vaishali a lucrative livelihood and has halted out-migration completely