Akansha Deshmukh
Akansha Deshmukh is an independent investigative journalist with a rich background in uncovering the intricacies of crime, scams, corruption, and political affairs. She has seamlessly transitioned her focus to the heart of rural India and the education sector. With a six-year track record, she now delves into examining the profound impact of government policies on the lower-income working class and rural communities. Her distinguished work has found a platform in publications such as The Wire, Article 14, NewsClick, Contrapuntal Magazine, 101 Reporters, Women AdvaNCe, Two Circles, Feminism in India, Times of India, Dainik Bhaskar, and Maktoob Media. Operating primarily in central India and devoid of any social media presence, she can be contacted at deshmukhakansha4@gmail.com.
Mandla makeover – How MP’s cyber crime hub became a literacy model
When 4,500 volunteers set out to transform Mandla in 2020, it was notorious for its low literacy rates and cyber fraud. It then became the first district in Madhya Pradesh to achieve 100 percent functional literacy.
Manyachiwadi becomes Maharashtra’s first solar-powered village
With over 100 rooftop solar panels, Manyachiwadi village in Maharashtra’s Satara district has become the state's first to run entirely on solar power, enjoying uninterrupted electricity and standing as a shining example of clean energy transformation.
A village where farms and forests belong to everyone
The lands at Mendha Lekha village in Maharashtra’s Gadchiroli district are collectively owned, with the profits shared among all. This settlement of around 500 Gond tribe members tells a powerful tale of cooperation and shared prosperity.
In Gujarat village of elders, community kitchen helps fight loneliness
As younger generations migrate for work, a community kitchen at Chandanki village in Mehsana district of Gujarat offers fresh meals twice a day for a modest fee, providing nourishment and companionship to the elderly residents.
Echoes of Portugal ring out in tiny Maharashtra village
Home to 250 Catholic families, the coastal village of Korlai in Maharashtra stands out for its preservation of a rare creole dialect called Kristi, a mix of Portuguese, Marathi and Konkani.
Kathiya gehu’s GI tag promises hope for Bundelkhand wheat farmers
Bundelkhand’s native wheat variety kathiya gehu or durum is celebrated for its robust characteristics and nutritional benefits. The GI tag preserves the agricultural heritage of the region and paves the way for a sustainable farming future.
Kesar mangoes travel from Nashik’s tribal farms to US supermarkets
Tribal farmers of Nashik in Maharashtra have revolutionised mango cultivation, boosting productivity, while access to organic certification and international markets has led to successful exports of the kesar variety to the US.
Ahead of season 3, a real-life ‘Panchayat’ experience in MP
Harish Joshi, resembling the character of “sachiv ji”, shares his experiences as the panchayat secretary, while sarpanch Inderbai reflects on women’s empowerment in Mahodiya village of Madhya Pradesh where the popular web series ‘Panchayat’ was filmed.