Rural India

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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.

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‘Education should make people capable of helping others’

Technology plays an extremely important role in providing access to education and addressing the big rural-urban literacy divide, says Indraani Singh, the founder of Literacy India.

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Many Corners of Village Square – Stories and Insights from Rural India

Indian villages are full of stories that reflect the diversity, resilience and unique perspectives of its people. Capturing these stories and bringing them to the forefront is our coffee table book – ‘Many Corners of a Village Square’ Book your copy today

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Medical access remains a challenge in rural India

Even as healthcare becomes more accessible to rural Indians through government schemes such as Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY and E-Sanjeevani, several challenges still remain, shows a survey report unveiled during TRI’s ongoing India Rural Colloquy.

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Don’t miss the Rural Renaissance Fest at Dilli Haat

Village Square, in partnership with Transform Rural India (TRI), is thrilled to announce the much-awaited Rural Renaissance Fest at Dilli Haat, INA, on August 5th, starting at 5 pm.

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Is rural India on the brink of a renaissance?

Will Indian villages be part of the country's galloping growth? A leading development conference holds over 100 conversations to find out.

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Self-help groups – learning from the roots

While the reasons that motivate women to join self-help groups are the same, developing each group through a facilitative process instead of on a pre-conceived concept works better.

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Could this Odisha tribal snack start a food trend?

Palami Mallick, 65, who belongs to the Kutia Kondh tribe in Odisha's Kandhamal district, prepares mandia pitha using ragi and other ingredients. This particularly vulnerable tribal group has a strong cultural association with millets.

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Bengal’s Sabar tribe struggles for survival

One of the poorest communities of India, 20 families of Sabar tribe toil to gather two square meals a day, subsisting on sal fruit, red ant eggs and a meagre government handout of rice.

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Assam villagers dread wrath of ravaging river

Ahead of the monsoon, fear of displacement lurks amid villagers in Assam’s North Lakhimpur district as the Subansiri river threatens to devour their land and homes yet again.

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Udaipur’s specially-abled cyclist is unstoppable

Govind Kharol cycles against the shackles of stigma and stereotype with no right hand and only two deformed fingers in his left hand.

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Bicycling through rural India

Explore Indian village life through the iconic sight of people cycling through fields. Presenting the winning entries from our World Bicycle Day photography contest, capturing this quintessential image in all its glory.

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Dhinki delight in Odisha: Bringing back hand-pounded ragi

When doctors suggested finger millet gruel for her husband’s ailment, Saraswati Naik of Asuki village in Kendujhar district not only started growing ragi, but also pounded it by hand to retain its nutritional value. She now swears by it.

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‘Folk dance is being appreciated more now’

Traditional art forms are slowly gaining wider recognition in the country but we need more support for the youngsters who want to pursue it as a career, say Kerala-based renowned dancer Daksha Sheth and her musician husband Devissaro.

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How these farmers grow more crop per drop

In Gujarat’s water deficient areas, farmers opt for micro irrigation systems which reduce their production cost and increase their income.

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Kashmiri artisans like none other

Started in 2010 by three differently-abled brothers, Special Hands of Kashmir is an organisation employing 40 specially-abled artisans in Budgam district of Central Kashmir. The group works to preserve the traditional Sozni embroidery craft of Kashmir. They have displayed their art in different exhibitions across India. Watch their story.

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This is where your cabbage may be coming from

Bara Garan is a remote sleepy hamlet nestled at a height of 2,350m in the Dhauladhar range of the Himalayas. Located in the Kangra district of Himachal Pradesh, Bara Garan had no road connectivity to a nearby town until a couple of decades back. Residents had to walk for a day to reach Barot, the nearest town. But things changed when a road was constructed. Now villagers who earlier grew crops only for self-sustenance are farming cabbage commercially, selling it to traders across north India.

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How authentic Goan feni is made

The recipe of the favourite Goan souvenir – feni – is no longer a local secret. Find out how the alcoholic beverage, made from ripe cashew fruit, is brewed in the most traditional way.

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Bhagoriya festival – Of blooming flowers and blossoming love

Often misunderstood as a rural Valentine’s Day, the tribal festival of ‘Bhagoriya’ was a few days back declared a cultural heritage by Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan. The week-long carnival marks the onset of spring. Amid the amber hues splashed by the blossoming palash and the fragrance of yellow mahua flowers, the community rejoices the rabi crop harvest.

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Action needed to stop tribal land alienation in Kerala 

Measures need to be put into place to prevent land alienation in Kerala’s largest tribal settlement, which has been losing its land to outsiders for decades.