Author: Gurvinder Singh
She quit a cushy job to revive tribal foods
To ensure tribal foods from vanishing and to let non-tribes enjoy the goodness of the same, Aruna Tirkey quit a comfortable consultancy job, to run a restaurant exclusively for tribal foods.
Pristine beauty meets cultural riches in Reiek
Reiek, a hidden gem celebrated for its unspoiled beauty in the heart of Mizoram, has earned its place among the country’s best tourism villages, captivating adventurers and nature enthusiasts alike.
Guardians of the hoolock gibbons of Hollongapar
In Hollongapar Gibbon Sanctuary, Assam, tourist guides stand as sentinels, ensuring that the echoes of “hook hook hook-ooo” continue to resound through the ancient hollong trees, signalling a harmony between humans and nature.
We just discovered a hidden gem in Darjeeling
Mist and memories intertwine in the village of Takdah, 28 km from Darjeeling, and as the fog lifts, it reveals not just a destination but a timeless escape into nature’s embrace.
Sikkim’s chhaang losing race in fast lane of spirits
Challenges posed by changing times, shifting tastes, and labour-intensive processes cast a shadow on the future of chhaang, a Sikkimese traditional alcoholic brew, but a handful of women are trying to preserve this age-old legacy.
Jharkhand’s McCluskieganj struggles to stay alive
McCluskieganj, a charming hill town near Ranchi, faces an uncertain fate. It grapples with decaying colonial structures, a departed Anglo-Indian community, and environmental threats posed by illegal brick kilns.
Jharkhand’s tribal musical legacy teeters on the edge
Banam, a musical instrument of the Santhal tribe and other tribal groups of Jharkhand, is on the verge of extinction due to the younger generation’s lack of interest.
Why is Jharkhand’s Paitkar scroll art losing colour?
Paitkar scroll paintings of Jharkhand are silently fading into oblivion due to waning interest in the art form among enthusiasts and the apathy of authorities.
Jharkhand villagers waiting to see ‘light’
Residents of three hamlets in Jharkhand continue to live in darkness as electricity supply is yet to reach them. Lack of hospitals and schools in the vicinity adds to their woes.
Sikkim flowers go online
Although the demand for flowers grown in Sikkim has been increasing, farmers face challenges such as water scarcity, threats from animals like monkeys that damage crops, and lack of proper market linkages — prompting some to tap online sales and eliminate middlemen.
Sikkim’s organic farming revolution offers a success model
With its lush landscapes and bountiful harvests, Sikkim stands as a testament to the potential of organic farming, inspiring a greener, healthier future for agriculture across the nation.
Tea garden workers face bitter home truth in Bengal
Beneficiaries of West Bengal government’s Chaa Sundari housing scheme express dissatisfaction, citing inadequate facilities and infrastructure that have dampened their dreams of owning their own houses.
Tuskers trample Bengal village’s jackfruits of labour
As north Bengal struggles to coexist with elephants, the fate of Nepali Basti’s once-thriving jackfruit trade hangs in the balance as farmers incur losses due to the onslaught from the tuskers and abandon cultivation.
Bengal farmers bear brunt of Assam poultry ban
Aftershocks of Assam’s bird flu-related ban continue to rattle the poultry industry in Bengal even after the withdrawal of curbs, resulting in severe losses for farmers.
Titanic comes alive as Jahaj Bari in a north Bengal village
A man’s ship-shaped childhood dream takes concrete form in the small village of Nijbari, nestled in the heart of West Bengal’s Darjeeling district.
Trout fish lifts Sikkim woman out of poverty
Young bride Kopila Pandey uplifted her family's fortunes by selling vegetables and later rearing trout fish. Her success led to prosperity and recognition through numerous awards.
This Bengal shopkeeper is turning his village green
Haraprasad Pal, who runs a small grocery shop in his village, has been planting flowering shrubs and trees to make his village green and help others enjoy the benefits.
Why are most women in Sundarbans anaemic?
A survey conducted on 164 women and adolescent girls in the Basanti and Gosaba blocks of Sundarbans found that 97 percent of them suffer from a severe deficiency of healthy red blood cells.
Bengal’s Sabar tribe struggles for survival
One of the poorest communities of India, 20 families of Sabar tribe toil to gather two square meals a day, subsisting on sal fruit, red ant eggs and a meagre government handout of rice.
Old well lone lifeblood for water-parched Bengal village
Residents of a remote village in rural Bengal accuse administrative apathy for their woes, asking why they were left out when all neighbouring villages have piped water supply.