Author: Village Square
Earth Overshoot Day: A call for sustained conservation efforts
The World Overshoot Day today once again serves as a reminder that human demands on nature surpass the planet's biocapacity. The effects are for everyone to see, especially in rural areas.
Stepping into the tiger’s reserve
Project Tiger was initiated in 1973 at Corbett Tiger Reserve with the primary aim of safeguarding and fostering the tiger species. On this International Tiger Day on July 29, we join a safari jeep driver on one of his trips. He tells us what it’s like to live on the fringes of the forest and work in the reserve, and what tiger conservation means to him.
Event alert! Come, be a part of millet revolution
Village Square presents 'Bharat ki kahani: cuisines and cultures of rural India' — an exclusive culinary journey uniting rural and urban India.
Village Square Rural Renaissance Fest at Dilli Haat
Step into the enchanting world of rural India and immerse yourself in a celebration of culture, art, and transformation! Village Square and Transform Rural India (TRI) proudly present the Rural Renaissance fest at Dilli Haat, INA, on 5 August, starting at 5 pm.
‘We aim to provide employment to 1 lakh youth this year’
Despite their educational degrees, many young Indians find it difficult to get jobs. Ramesh Swamy, director of the not-for-profit organisation Unnati tells us how they are addressing this gap for the youth in the country.
‘Queer community needs access to housing, health and jobs’
While homosexuality has been decriminalised in India, the LGBTQIA+ community continues to fight for dignity and access to basic amenities. Changing perceptions takes time, says Rajesh Srinivas of Sangama, an organisation working for the cause.
Fighting prejudice and promoting queer rights
We went on a quest to assemble a collection of LGBTQ+ tales across India, and found that the road leading to their rights is riddled with prejudices despite their tenacity and the dedication of activists.
‘We lack robust mechanisms to tackle child labour’
Our rescue and rehabilitation policy to address child labour needs to include the kid's education and also the family’s needs, says Shrishti Shankar, who works with Bachpan Bachao Andolan in Jharkhand.
‘Waste dumping in open has increased human-wildlife conflict’
Surge in tourism in the Himalayas has led to enormous plastic waste generation, adversely affecting the region’s environment and wildlife. Vishal Kumar, CEO, Waste Warriors, discusses how this problem can be addressed.
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.
‘We have no clue about extent of damage to biodiversity’
Central India’s rich biodiversity has been massively affected by climate change, encroachment and poaching. Mandar Pingle of Satpuda Foundation tells us about the role that local communities play in restoration and conservation efforts.
Cup full of joy — tea time in India
Tea is more than a beverage for Indians. It’s an emotion, an obsession. Many stories, conversations and moments of bonding unfold over a cup of chai at tapris (kiosks) across India every day. Here are some snapshots.
The critically endangered Great Indian Bustard (GIB)
Earlier present in the whole of western India, the GIB is now a critically endangered species with only about 100 birds remaining. They face threat to their habitat due to green energy, poaching, industrialisation and mining.
‘All large animals are facing increasing human pressure’
Species become endangered due to several reasons and a multi-pronged approach is needed to boost their numbers, says wildlife-biologist Sumit Dookia, faculty member at GGS Indraprastha University, who also works on conservation projects in Rajasthan.
‘India accounts for 9% of global maternal mortality’
What does reach of mobile phones and internet mean for public health in India? Kruti Dalal of ARMMAN, which works to provide pregnant women access to medical services and information, talks about how technology can impact maternal and child health.
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
‘Dignity is closely linked to economic condition’
About 95 percent of the workforce in India is engaged in the informal sector, and we cannot leave them outside of our imagination, says Subhash Bhatnagar of Nirmana, an organisation that seeks to empower unorganised sector workers.
Hard at work – Vignettes from villages
They tug, they slog, they literally bear the weight of the system. This Labour Day, let’s recognise the struggles of workers who resisted oppression a century ago, and who toil daily to make ends meet and make this country function.
‘Women’s quota in panchayat polls not mere rubber stamp’
Dolly, a two-time sarpanch of Shadipur village in Gaya, Bihar, talks about the practice of sarpanch pati in India’s panchayati raj institutions. Dolly left her comfortable corporate job in 2018 to pursue a career in grassroots politics.
5 books on rural India to add to your reading list
How well do you think you know rural India? These five books will give you an insight into village life beyond your current perception. This World Book Day, move beyond reading what everyone else is and dive right into the countryside.