Author: Gurvinder Singh
The sweet success of a tea plucker-turned-dragon fruit farmer
Poverty followed Abha Toppo into marriage. So she readily gave up work on a poorly paid tea plantation to grow something she’d never heard of: dragon fruit. Though everyone told her it was too risky, she ploughed on and is now reaping the rewards.
Conch seashell bangle makers losing their grip in Bengal
Worn by married Bengali women, conch shell bangles have long been part of Bengal’s tradition, but artisans are finding it difficult to keep their grip on their trade because of rising material costs.
Lanterns of Bishnupur fading into darkness
The lantern industry of Bishnupur in West Bengal that once sustained hundreds of artisans is on the verge of fading out thanks to the rising cost of raw materials, never mind more affordable electricity.
Overproduction leads to distress sale of cauliflower in Bengal
Vegetable farmers in West Bengal suffer huge losses due to a surplus of cauliflower, never mind high fertiliser and labour costs.
Discover the hidden gems of Manipur
The northeastern state is known for its natural beauty with many places that should not be missed.
She thought baul brings poverty, today she is a baulini of international acclaim
Having seen her father eke out a living, Rina Das Baul disliked the idea of marrying a baul singer, fearing a likely poverty-stricken life. But her husband not only encouraged her to learn baul music, but got her to perform with him, which eventually took her to international stages.
Manipur’s decreasing bamboo supply hurts artisans
Urbanization is claiming another ancient industry -- bamboo artisans – as sprawling construction means not only less bamboo cover but competing demands for it from scaffolding makers.
Hanjabam Radhe: from child bride to dress designer to Padma Shri
Manipur’s 90-year-old Hanjabam Ongbi Radhe Sharmi, who promotes potloi setpi – the traditional bridal dress of Manipur’s Meitei community – is happy with gaining recognition through her Padma Shri award. But she believes the government should financially support artisans like her during their old age.
Plastic cuts into pottery culture – but not in Manipur
The signature red pottery of Thongjao village is spun by women who have never faced any dip in demand because Manipur locals prefer clay earthenware to plastic and aluminium, especially in festivals and religious rituals.
Piggery business: Women not inferior to men, this Manipuri woman has proved it
Pipi Keithellakpam was criticised by her family and villagers for starting a pig farm, as piggery is considered the domain of men. But she refused to give up. After a disease outbreak killed all her pigs she found the courage to start all over and taste success again.
Universal Brotherhood: Baul festival of mystic minstrels enchants Bengal village
A three-day annual festival of Baul mystic minstrels enchants audiences with their songs of love and unity in the East Bardhaman district of West Bengal.
How Manipur’s rural women are weaving wonders from Kauna weed
Organic baskets, mats and other decorative handicrafts made of kauna grass grown in the marshes of the Imphal valley are providing a sustainable livelihood to women and their families.
Manipur’s uncommon ‘salt of the earth’ and the threat to its legacy
Thumpak, the traditional salt cakes of Manipur, are still used for rituals, but their demand for everyday use has dwindled with the proliferation of commercial packaged salt.
Cost-effective jalkunds help Manipur’s farmers tide over water woes
With climate-induced erratic rainfall affecting agriculture, the farmers of Manipur turn to jalkunds – low-cost water harvesting structures that go beyond irrigation needs and double their income.
Barpeta Satra: Assam’s spiritual hubs beset with falling celibate monk numbers
With families becoming nuclear and small, fewer children are becoming Kewalia Bhakats – monks sworn to celibacy and a strictly austere life at Vaishnavite monasteries.
Assam’s soil erosion worsening with climate change and floods
With intensifying monsoons and deepening soil erosion, Assam is becoming one of India’s states most vulnerable to climate change, hurting food production and livelihoods in the process.
Tribal filmmakers make high content on low budget
Untrained and young tribal moviemakers highlight the social evils and ecological issues plaguing rural India, but budgetary constraints prevent them from taking their cinema to a wider audience
Devastating floods the latest woes for Odisha’s farmers
Already battered by cyclones, Odisha farmland is now hit by floods with its farmers facing massive financial losses and hoping for government compensation.
“I’m the lone woman idol maker among 300 artisans”
When Nomita Sar was widowed early, the art of idol-making she had learnt from her father came in handy. With a handful of good orders this year, the Durga Puja is bringing colour to her life after the pandemic doldrums.
Odisha villagers fight fire ant invasion
Swamped by red fire ants that stung their way through an Odisha village - causing rashes and swellings, residents are forced to fight the “enemy” with chemical sprays.