Author: Village Square
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.
Traditional Holi snacks from the heartland
This Holi, add flavour to your celebrations with these 5 easy recipes from rural India.
March’s must-attend fests in India
Spring is the perfect time to explore some of India’s lively cultural and religious events. Village Square presents a list of 5 such celebrations that you must attend this March.
Animals are welcome in these Indian temples
From dogs to rats and monkeys, animals occupy a divine status at these temples around India. On World Wildlife Day, let’s take a look at these unique places of worship.
Opportunities to help Gen-Z create impact in rural India
All charged up to make a difference? This World NGO Day, Village Square curates opportunities, internships and fellowships for Gen Z to drive change in the rural development sector.
Sweet strawberry surprise serenades Jharkhand fields
Farmers of Jonha panchayat in Ranchi district in Jharkhand are adopting newer exotic crops like strawberry. It is helping them become economically prosperous while enjoying direct market access.
An all-in-one post-harvest fix by IIT Kanpur
This Integrated Processing Machine developed by Tekorange Engineering Pvt. Ltd and RuTAG IIT Kanpur is a complete solution for post-harvesting processes at rice procurement centres.
Cupid calling: Five unique socially accepted romantic trends in rural India
Valentine’s Day may be a relatively modern trend, but rural India has its fair share of romance, from matchmaking in melas to socially sanctioned live-in relationships.
Recipes that celebrate punchy pulses
Today is World Pulses Day and India is a country with abundant pulses. With so many regional variations, there are a variety of delicious recipes for these edible seeds of legume plants. Here are a few to try out.
Union Budget 2025: Agriculture key to development
Village Square breaks down the policies announced as a part of the Union Budget 2025 that are likely to impact rural India the most.
Don’t miss these cultural fests of February
February marks the arrival of spring and a vibrant array of cultural festivals in India. Here are five such fests that you can attend this month.
Traditional boats – A dying reality
Once a thriving part of the subcontinent, today traditional boats, which include canoes, rafts and sailboats, are all a dying reality. As mechanised boats take over and fishing becomes an organised sector, artisans, as well as the craft of making traditional boats, may become less visible. We take you on a visual journey of boats across India.
A village tourism bucket list for art lovers
It’s a double whammy for lovers of rustic art with this list of must-visit attractions in the hinterland where you can enjoy gazing at creative masterpieces. Read on to get fresh ideas on where to go over the long weekends of 2025.
Are we doing enough for our girls?
On National Girl Child Day 2025 we look at the lived realities of girls across rural India. The theme this year is ‘Empowering girls for a brighter future’, but as a society are we doing enough to ensure their health and wellbeing so that they are ready to take on roles of responsibility as adults and future leaders? Let's look at some indicators.
Rural startups that won over the sharks
From handmade sarees to pickles and agricultural robots, Shark Tank India Season 3 showcased several startups that empowered rural communities.
All you need to know about mammoth Maha Kumbh mela
The biggest gathering of humanity on earth, the Maha Kumbh mela, kicked off on January 13, 2025, at Uttar Pradesh’s Prayagraj. Here’s the lowdown on the festival, and what you could do if you plan a visit here.
National Youth Day inspires rural young to dream big in 2025
As India celebrated National Youth Day on 12 January 2025, Village Square met the country’s rural youth to inquire about their aspirations for the new year. Hear them share their 2025 wishlist.
Food, the great unifier in a diverse country
The way to anyone’s heart is through the stomach. Village Square compiles visuals from across the rural tracts of India highlighting the place of food in the daily life of all Indians.
Must-see rural festivals in January
From lively harvest festivals to dance, the countryside is buzzing with vibrant celebrations in January. Here are 5 such rural festivals you won’t want to miss.
TARAgram Yatra 2024: ‘Investing in the Local & Green’
The three-day TARAgram Yatra 2024, hosted by Development Alternatives (DA), took participants on an immersive tour of Bundelkhand, giving them an insight into rural India and its developmental programmes.