Author: Village Square
Rural India wins big at the Paris Paralympics 2024
These Paralympians from rural India have overcome the odds, and their disability, to reclaim glory during the recent Paralympic Games in Paris. Here are six such athletes who are an inspiration for all.
Water revolution – Natural fibre tanks provide a low-cost storage solution
Innovative water tanks made from coconut, banana and flax fibre can transform water storage issues in drought-prone villages. The solution, developed by Jalvardhini, an NGO, and RuTAG IIT-Bombay, uses materials that are easily available and environmentally sustainable.
Independent cinema v/s Bollywood featuring Adil Hussain and Faisal Malik
What do Adil Hussain and Faisal Malik have in common other than their rural backgrounds and meteoric ascent to stardom? They were both at Chitrashaala, Village Square’s short film festival, to talk about their work, life and the struggles of showing good cinema in India.
Cold storage units running on pico hydropower help farmers earn more
With limited transportation and no cold storage facilities, farmers in Himalayan states sell their produce at the local market for a low price. Cold storage units powered by pico hydropower offer a cost-effective solution.
Hail these sports coaches for their illustrious proteges
This Teachers’ Day, Village Square tips the hat to the coaches of some of our sporting greats, winners of the Dronacharya Award, who hail from villages across the country.
Reel encounters with some special rural teachers
Over the years many filmmakers have paid tribute to the gurus in our lives by making films that depict the teacher-student relationship. Here are six such movies with rural stories that revolve around inspiring teachers.
Beacon of learning shines on through these teachers in Indian villages
A forest guard who doubles as an educator. A woman who trains others in tailoring. A ‘Dehati Madam’ who teaches English… Rural India is full of inspiring examples of teachers. This Teachers' Day we revisit some of these stories.
Discussing climate change through cinema
The climate change-themed short films screened at Village Square’s Chitrashaala film festival drew the audience’s attention to this pressing issue. The filmmakers in attendance – Jigar Nagda and Stenzin Tankong – spoke about the subject during a discussion at the fest.
How many of these lesser-known local greens have you tried?
Indian regional cuisine is full of nutrient-dense ingredients. This National Nutrition Week, which is observed in the first week of September, here is a list of six healthy foods from the far-flung corners of the country.
Celebrate a spectacular September at these rural festivals
A line-up of ceremonial celebrations across the hinterland gives Indians something to look forward to in the last month of the monsoon season, as September comes alive to showcase the rural culture in the country.
The humble coconut is trending now, and how!
Coconuts are more versatile than you think! On this World Coconut Day, we bring to you some innovative uses for the fruit that are gaining popularity and make it a must-have in daily life.
Bringing back the romance in craft at Chitrashaala
Filmmaker Muzaffar Ali discusses challenges of filming crafts with award-winning filmmaker Utpal Borpujari and young filmmaker Riah Taipodia from Meghalaya during a conversation at the Chitrashaala short film festival in August 2024.
These small industries are bringing big changes in villages
There are several small industrial projects that are lighting up the rural economy in unusual ways. This ‘Small Industry Day’, which is observed on August 30 every year, we revisit some of the initiatives featured on Village Square.
Lifting hopes: A homegrown solution to save ill cows
In rural India, a simple yet ingenious cattle lift developed by IIT Bombay promises to revolutionise veterinary care, coming as a boon for dairy farmers by helping cows suffering from ‘downer syndrome’.
New tech solution boosts wool felt production, helps herders
Traditionally, nomadic herders made non-woven ornamental felt from animal wool through a laborious process. A new technological solution in the form of a hand-operated roller simplifies the process, helping the artisans make more wool felt fabric.
These rural spots continue to remind us of India’s freedom struggle
These were the places in rural India where blood, sweat and tears were shed for India’s freedom from colonial rule. On this Independence Day, here’s a look at the current state of those historic locations.
‘Regional is the new mainstream cinema’
National Award-winning director Manish Saini, whose film Giddh (The Scavenger) was screened at the Chitrashaala Short Film Festival, reflects on the art of short filmmaking, Gujarati cinema's revival, and the challenges facing regional storytellers in the OTT era.
Have you been on these monsoon treks yet?
With the rain gods having obliged us this monsoon, it’s a good time to pack your walking shoes and take off on a trek to the unexplored corners of the country. Village Square brings you five such lush trails.
Rural themes resonate with celebs and cinema lovers at Chitrashaala
The inaugural edition of Chitrashaala, Village Square’s short film festival on rural India, saw the coming together of filmmakers, actors, cinema lovers and critics at the Alliance Francaise on August 3. Here’s a round-up for those of you who missed the fest!
‘Cinema can capture a way of life that may soon get lost’
Cinema has the power to show all facets of society, says Stenzin Tankong, whose Last Days of Summer is being screened at Chitrashaala Short Film Festival. He tells us how his films portray Ladakh, and more.