VILLAGE VIBE
Peninsular heritage bucket-list wonders
How many of these heritage sites in India’s Peninsular region have you seen? Well, for World Heritage Day 2025, we give you a handy list of rural and peri-urban sites not to miss from the southern states.
These are doorways to culture
India’s rich architectural heritage is vividly expressed through its intricate doors, windows, and jharokhas. These elements are not merely functional; they are imbued with deep symbolism and aesthetic significance, reflecting the cultural, religious, and historical contexts of their times.
Agra’s leather industry struggles amid rising costs
As India’s largest shoemaking hub, with 7,500 footwear units employing 400,000 workers, Agra produces 65% of the country’s footwear. However, rising leather prices have made it increasingly difficult for businesses to sustain operations, putting the leather industry here, a key part of the city’s heritage since the Mughal era, in jeopardy.
Happiness in rural India through the lens
The social media call out for photos by Village Square, ahead of the International Day of Happiness on March 20, attracted a host of submissions. Here’s a shortlist.
Snow and the spirit of sportsmanship
‘When life gives you lemons, make lemonade.’ The adage holds true for young boys of Gurez Valley, a remote region along the ancient Silk Route, home to the Dard Shin tribe in north Kashmir. The valley remains covered with snow and cut off from the rest of the world for nearly six months. However, this doesn’t dissuade youngsters here from indulging in what they love the most–Snow Cricket.
IN VIDEOS
A sacred forest of spirituality & tradition in Meghalaya
The Mawphlang sacred forest in Meghalaya is a stunning natural site with deep cultural significance. Protected by the Khasi tribe for centuries, it’s a peaceful place where nature, spirituality, and tradition come together.
From earth to art: Larnai black clay pottery
Larnai black clay pottery, hand-crafted using locally sourced black clay and serpentine stone, is a traditional art form from Meghalaya. Known for its unique designs, it reflects the rich cultural heritage of the region.
Her cafe’s Kangri dham a big draw
Started by Manisha Thakur in 2022, Her cafe is an all-women-run cafe in Bir that serves local Himachali delicacies and provides the feel of a home-cooked meal in their village-inspired cafe setting.
RURAL NEWS
South Kerala farmers are taking the entrepreneurial route
Reflecting a transition in the agricultural landscape of south Kerala, spearheaded by farmer collectives, farmers are voluntarily taking up entrepreneurship to propel them into higher earnings.
Yamuna Kumari: A pioneer in modern farming
Breaking barriers as a successful farmer, Yamuna Kumari from Jharkhand’s Bero village has inspired a community of women to take up high-value agriculture.
Tribal woman in Odisha champions heirloom seeds
Raimati Ghiuria, popularly known as the Queen of Millets, from the Bhumia tribal community of southern Odisha’s Koraput district, has championed heirloom seeds and local agrobiodiversity. She has also shared her knowledge of organic farming with over 2,500 farmers.
India’s unsung heroes – women navigating their way through a changing country. Her accomplishments, her struggles, her livelihood, her home, her hopes. Her life.
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Tribal woman in Odisha champions heirloom seeds
Raimati Ghiuria, popularly known as the Queen of Millets, from the Bhumia tribal community of southern Odisha’s Koraput district, has championed heirloom seeds and local agrobiodiversity. She has also shared her knowledge of organic farming with over 2,500 farmers.
She chose harsh farm life over a 6-figure American paycheck
Bhavani Akkina went from a high-flying corporate career in IT in the US to teaching sustainable living principles to farmers, children, police personnel and others at her native Chinatadepalli village in Andhra Pradesh. She tells Village Square about how and why she made the switch.
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Events
Chitrashaala – Village Square’s short film fest trains the lens on rural India
Watch powerful films like Giddh (The Scavanger) and Last Days of Summer, interact with film personalities Muzaffar Ali, Adil Hussain, Faisal Malik and others, and learn more about rural India at Chitrashaala, Village Square’s short film festival.
Programmes
Capacity Building Programme
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Development Communications Training
Village Square announces a certified training program for students interested in the communications domain. This internship program will give you an opportunity to get trained from leading industry experts and enhance all your skillsets i.e, required to be a good communication specialist. Starting from 30th November, 2023
Fellowship
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Village Square announces its fellowship
Village Square Fellowship 2023 is for youth to tell the powerful stories of rural India. The 9 months fellowship will include a monthly stipend of Rs 35,000 along with training from leading sector-experts.
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