Author: Gajanan Khergamker
Maharashtra village strives to preserve ancestral fishing practices
A bunch of determined fisherwomen of Thal village in Maharashtra’s Raigad district are fighting against odds and time to sustain their traditional fishing economy.
Maharashtra villagers join forces to preserve serene beach
Unlike its boisterous, touristy neighbours like Alibag and Kihim, the rocky beachfront of Awas is untouched by food carts and recreational activities and offers clean serenity that draws loyal visitors.
Migrants live their Mumbai dream at Sassoon Docks
Thousands from across India's rural landscape arrive and work at Mumbai’s oldest wet dock, which is one of the nation’s biggest exporters of sea fish.
Heritage drink feni high in Goa, falls flat abroad
Prohibitive liquor laws have confined feni to Goa, some distillers tried their hand abroad and failed, but hyper-local brewers still have a steady clientele
How authentic Goan feni is made
The recipe of the favourite Goan souvenir – feni – is no longer a local secret. Find out how the alcoholic beverage, made from ripe cashew fruit, is brewed in the most traditional way.
Goa’s villagers struggle with fewer tourists
As if the COVID pandemic weren’t bad enough, the Russian war deals a harder blow to Goa’s tourism, forcing tourism-dependent villagers to find new means of income.
“Women are embarrassed to talk about menstruation”
Ria Patil Chandray, an engineer, once nominated as an ambassador to dispel myths on menstruation, became so passionate that she now manufactures biodegradable sanitary pads that ensure better health and hygiene.
Tourism-dependent islanders struggle to stay afloat
Villagers in Elephanta Island were filled with hope when tourism resumed after the COVID-19 lockdowns. But with fear of a third wave and few tourists showing up, they begin the new year with apprehensions.
Gujarat’s cleanliness success exists only in numbers
Although Gujarat was declared open defecation free in October 2017 based on the number of toilets constructed as part of the Swachh Bharat mission, the ground reality is different in the rural areas of the state
In Gandhi’s Gujarat, potters keep shine on Hindu-Muslim amity
Despite insufficient income, lean periods during monsoons and unexpected hardship such as the floods this year, the Sumra Muslim potters return every year to Sarkhej Roza, where the pots they make are bought by Hindu wholesale traders, evoking secular unity
Indigenous community in Dang fights for land rights
The people of Navagam village in Dang district of Gujarat have said they would boycott upcoming assembly polls if the government does not resolve the long pending issue of land and house titles
Development a distant dream on Elephanta Island
Finally set to get electricity 70 years into Independence, the development and availability of basic necessities of life such as clean drinking water or a health facility remains illusive at the three villages on Elephanta Island