Governance
What budget 2023-24 means for rural India
In spite of the massive global slowdown caused by COVID-19 and Russia-Ukraine War, India’s economy is set to grow at a whopping 7 percent, according to the just announced Union Budget 2023-24. But what does that mean for rural India?
Why a road is a roadblock for Bonda Tribes in Odisha
A slushy, patchy, potholed road is pushing up transportation costs, preventing tribal inhabitants of Andrahal village in Odisha's Malkangiri district from availing government loans for building pucca houses.
Journey towards making Kollam India’s first constitution-literate district
Village Square speaks to Sudesan V of Kerala Institute of Local Administration (KILA) to understand how Kollam achieved the incredible feat of becoming India’s first constitution-literate district educating over 14 lakh individuals and 6 lakh families.
Last Rajasthan border village suffers separation pangs
Residents of Tanot near the India-Pakistan border have been waiting in vain since partition to meet relatives who became Pakistanis.
How Kollam became India’s first constitution-literate district
Democracy – without understanding the constitution that protects it – is fatal to society. That’s why one initiative, Citizen 2022, is setting out to ensure more of India’s villagers are constitution literate.
With nowhere to go, new year brings no cheer to landless Adivasis in Madhya Pradesh
Hundreds of Adivasis of Shukrawasa village in Madhya Pradesh stare at an uncertain future, risking eviction from the land they toil on but do not own.
Child Trafficking: “To unite children with their parents feels amazing”
Shrishti Shankar leads rescues and raids against child trafficking and child labour in Jharkhand. Working with Bachpan Bachao Andolan (BBA) as Ranchi’s District Coordinator, she also strategizes on the best ways of protecting rural children at the grassroots level.
Perils of anganwadi worker not showing up for work
A childcare worker in an anganwadi is a vital part of a village - ensuring the health and growth of rural children. A young development professional observes the consequences when there is no worker for months.
“Gratitude award” offers Rs 1 crore for India’s changemakers
The Yashraj Research Foundation announced “Yashraj Bharti Samman Award” to recognise leaders of social change in India who could win Rs One Crore - each - for their transformative idea or work.
Where are women in local government?
Dismayed by seeing very few women in district-level government prompts two young development professionals to find out why.
Saathi Ventures announces award for stories of micro-entrepreneurs
More than half of India's population is engaged in entrepreneurship, especially micro-entrepreneurship. To celebrate India’s massive micro-entrepreneurial economy, Saathi Ventures is conducting a micro-entrepreneurship storytelling challenge.
Sparking ideas for India’s next 75 years
The recent Indian Rural Colloquy brought together India's sharpest minds - from doyens of the development world to industry leaders, government secretaries and activists - all at the front of India's march to progress.
World’s highest railway bridge brings Kashmiri villagers hope
As the arch of world’s highest rail bridge over the Chenab River in Kashmir gets completed in time for Independence Day, people in the valley look forward to a better economy when trains start plying.
How the youth built and build India
Contrary to the myth that youth are self-absorbed, many young women and men not only fought for Independence but in the decades that followed have given up well paying jobs to work on India's development - which the youth of today carry forward.
Chai and Bandhu brew a perfect blend for Chakla
Suspicious of his motives, his tea shop and Muslim identity, the people of Chakla village shunned Abdul Nazar until they realised his chai shop was a springboard to develop their village.
The silent revolution: The DAY of hope and promise
Leading development expert, Sanjiv Phansalkar, is in awe of Deen Dayal Upadhya Antyodaya Yojana - a social programme that’s impacted over 86 million households through over 8 million self-help groups of women.
Is digital planning working for India’s villages?
India’s villages are the last stop in the government’s drive to digitize administrative planning and ensure a more transparent allocation of resources. But how effective is this digital push? Development worker Jitendra Pandit tackles this in his Field Report.
Odisha’s “Twitter Girl” helps solve people’s problems
This International Women’s Day, Village Square spotlights social media activist Charubala aka Deepa Barik. By tweeting and tagging the officials concerned, she helps resolve people’s grievances.
What the budget means for rural India
The finance minister predicts big economic growth for the next two years, but will rural India be part of that growth spurt? From natural farming and “kisan drones” to more clean drinking water for the poor – here’s what the budget brings to rural India.
Odiya tribes discover the wonders of millets
Being climate-resilient and needing less water – never mind being super nutritious – millets are becoming the crop of choice for Odiya tribes, thanks to the state government’s Odisha Millets Mission.