Author: Village Square
Economically empowered women can drive India’s growth
A latest edition of State of India’s Livelihoods (SOIL) Report, the flagship Report by ACCESS Development Services, highlights the potential of 'women-led development' and advocates the need to enable women to become active contributors to the economy.
IIT helps innovate an efficient puffed rice machine
The compact, eco-friendly machine produces 50 kg of puffed rice per hour, taking out the drudgery from the process. The innovation has been incubated by RuTAG at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kharagpur, empowering rural communities.
Majestic mountain escapes beyond the Indian Himalayas
December 11 is International Mountain Day, and we’re giving you the lowdown on mountain destinations outside Himalayan country. So if you’re heading for the hills anytime soon, check out these high-altitude spots in the lesser-known ranges of India.
IIT Delhi makes traditional pottery kiln efficient and eco friendly
Pottery kilns are notorious polluters. But the introduction of the rat-trap wall brick masonry technique is drastically reducing fuel consumption and resulting in incremental savings to boot.
IIT helps tech behind cold-pressed oil be light-weight, affordable
Cold-pressed oil is in high demand for its health benefits. Now a technology developed by D-IV Enterprises, incubated by RuTAG at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur, enables rural people to extract oil at a fraction of the cost.
This innovation has mechanised weaving for rural weavers
The advent of the 6-spindle Pirn Winding Machine is a boon for weavers who would find it difficult to transport bulky machines for weaving into remote hilly areas where the trade is often practiced. Here’s more on the invention.
Dreams of Forest Fringe Bodo kids
On the fringe of the Nameri National Park and Reserve Forest, an initiative is helping develop the education and dreams of Bodo tribal children. A self-sustaining model of school management, the initiative by Assam Investment Advisory Society (AIAS) with the Upendra Nath Brahma ME School provides high quality and holistic education to its children. On Children' s day photographer Vicky Roy shares the story of these children in their native Bodo Language.
Nature at the heart of Bihar’s vibrant Chhath Puja
As many across the country participate in the sacred rituals of Chhath Puja today, Village Square presents the visual story of the festival.
Nari Adhikari Kendras a boon for women’s rights
The women’s support organisations, or Nari Adhikari Kendras, are doing stupendous work at the grassroots level in Madhya Pradesh’s Petlawad, in district Jhabua. Village Square does a recce.
Countryside celebrations to attend this November
From Tokhu Emong in Nagaland and Thiksey Gustor in Leh to Kalai Thiru Vizhaa in Tamil Nadu and Pushkar camel fair in Rajasthan, here are five rural festivals all travel enthusiasts should pen into their calendars this month.
A digital platform to connect rural buyers and sellers
Marketmirchi.com, a multilingual web-portal developed by IIT Bombay and Rural Technology Action Group (RuTAG), is transforming business in the agricultural sector by bringing together over 30,000 entrepreneurs, FPOs and self-help groups to buy and sell products.
When a healthy panchayat means a healthy village
In the Angara block of the Ranchi district of Jharkhand, the success of the ‘Healthy Panchayat’ initiative by the Ministry of Panchayati Raj and Transform Rural India (TRI) is evident, particularly for vulnerable women.
Buy these Diwali goodies to light up lives of rural artisans
It’s India’s season of joy, so why should the less privileged be left behind? Village Square curates five cottage-industry initiatives from where you can buy products this Deepavali to give business to those from marginalised backgrounds.
Substitute for clay to ‘fortify’ Karnataka’s Bidri art
Did you know that the famous Bidri products were traditionally made with clay from a 15th century fort? Now scientists at IIT-Madras have come up with a chemical alternative to help artisans sustain the craft while preserving the monument.
Mechanised device brings ‘shear’ benefits to shepherds
A cost-effective, durable and indigenous mechanised shearing device reduces sheep farmers’ drudgery in shearing the fleece, helping them produce better quality wool and earn more.
Good prevails in vibrant hues at the Kulasai Dussehra
Kulasai Dussehra, the festival that celebrates the triumph of good over evil is celebrated lavishly in the village of Kulasekharapatnam, in Tamil Nadu’s Thooththukudi district. Village Square presents the celebrations in images.
Bobbing along: How a simple machine can uplift artisans
The simple yet revolutionary hank to bobbin machine can transform the ancient art of weaving, enhancing incomes and preserving tradition while ushering artisans into a more prosperous future.
When the goddess comes calling
Durga Puja is celebrated with pomp and glory not just in the cities, but towns and villages too. Village Square offers glimpses into the celebrations across rural West Bengal.
Fabulous village festivities you can attend this October
The changing weather in October heralds not just the onset of winter, but also a host of celebrations across the country. We list some special fairs and festivals from the rural tracts that you can visit and enjoy this month.
Air-cooled pushcarts to keep vegetables fresh for long
For vegetable hawkers who suffer losses due to deterioration in the quality of fruits and vegetables during summer, air-cooled pushcarts offer a simple cooling innovation to keep their produce fresh for longer periods.