Governance
Multi-pronged plan would help Northeast create sustainable economy
The Northeast, with its past social instability and lack of livelihood avenues lags in development. The pandemic gives the region an opportunity to develop a new economy
Women unite to address problems and transform their village
Under an umbrella village organization, members of women self-help groups address common problems in their village, including a stand-off against a mining company
MGNREGS curbs distress migration, provides employment during lockdown
With agriculture turning unsustainable, villagers migrated to nearby towns for work. Community planning leading to sanctioned MGNREGS works has ensured local livelihood and has stemmed migration
With no increase in tiger count, tribes continue to be relocated
With discontentment among relocated tribes leading to conflict between tiger conservation and tribes’ habitat rights in Similipal, administrators hope to change mindset with education and employment
Will the post-pandemic government be more responsible and responsive?
COVID-19 crisis showed how government can work with zeal and efficiency. It will be a welcome outcome of the pandemic If the momentum continues in the new normal
Decentralized administration will prevent post-lockdown rural crisis
Social and behavioral aspects, besides economic and medical dimensions of the migrants need to be considered, to avoid cracks on existing rural fault lines
Women use mobile phones to maintain land records
Over half a million women, trained to access and maintain their land records through mobile phones, have learned to complete documentation, so that they are registered as owners
Volunteers in Odisha ensure stranded migrants do not go hungry
Social service personnel working on migration issues network with philanthropists, administrators and volunteers to ensure stranded Odia migrants and other state migrants in Odisha are fed
Multi-pronged approach will reboot flagging rural economy
Enhancing the resilience of rural production system through multiple measures, besides soil and water conservation initiatives would help the rural populace find a firm footing
Disrupted supply chains need to be mended to revive rural economy
Infusion of working capital at some levels of the supply chain and easing of transportation regulations would put ruptured supply chains back on track and reboot rural economy
How a tribal community took measures to guard itself against COVID-19
Though remote, Sittilingi Valley in Tamil Nadu, has a sizeable population that migrates for work. This prompted a proactive panchayat leadership to rally the community around to safeguard itself
Closure of seasonal hostels leaves migrants’ children in the lurch
While the lockdown left migrants stranded at destination sites, their children staying in seasonal hostels had to be sheltered with relatives or had to fend for themselves
How COVID-19 would impact rural India and its economy
With no urban economic activities because of the lockdown, migrants who have returned to native villages and rural workers will feel the pinch in the coming months
Urgent government intervention needed for migrants in transit
With the countrywide lockdown to arrest spread of COVID-19, migrant workers who started returning home from destination sites are caught in borders with scant amenities. Government needs to intervene to ensure safe passage
Nutrition gardens help students learn better and eat better
Growing vegetables and fruits in schools with community support improves tribal students’ conceptual understanding of science and maths, and helps them eat a nutritious meal
How bike ambulances help patients in remote areas access hospitals
For far-flung villages separated by forests with no access roads, reaching hospitals has been difficult. Bike ambulances fill the access gap, enabling patients get emergency medical care
Community kitchens help tribal children overcome malnutrition
Rough terrains hampering access to anganwadi centers and hence nutritious food, men bring anganwadi ration to the village; women cook in a common facility and feed the children, to fight malnutrition
Land allotment helps single women live with dignity
The Odisha government’s free allocation of land, combined with the central government’s housing funds, have enabled single women in rural areas to build houses for themselves
Land rights on pastures empower deprived communities
Giving land rights to landless and nomadic people in Maharashtra on degraded pastures have provided these marginalized communities with a reasonable livelihood
