Ground Report
From despair to dignity: Sonadei’s story of hope
Sonadei Nag’s journey from abandonment to empowerment showcases the transformative power of women’s collectives. Through SHG support, agriculture, and entrepreneurship, she overcame societal barriers to secure a future for her children, inspiring her entire community to thrive.
IIT helps innovate an efficient puffed rice machine
The compact, eco-friendly machine produces 50 kg of puffed rice per hour, taking out the drudgery from the process. The innovation has been incubated by RuTAG at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kharagpur, empowering rural communities.
The thirst of Jaladihi: A village’s fight for water
It took a crisis for the villagers of Jaladihi, in Odisha, to realise their ability to move the establishment. Here’s more on the village’s tussle for water, and their victory over an indifferent system.
IIT Delhi makes traditional pottery kiln efficient and eco friendly
Pottery kilns are notorious polluters. But the introduction of the rat-trap wall brick masonry technique is drastically reducing fuel consumption and resulting in incremental savings to boot.
For Maha agripreneur and UN Land Hero, agroforestry is the future
UN Land Hero and engineer-turned-agripreneur Siddhesh Sakore from Maharashtra says that sustainable agriculture, like agroforestry, is a necessity for the future of the farming sector.
IIT helps tech behind cold-pressed oil be light-weight, affordable
Cold-pressed oil is in high demand for its health benefits. Now a technology developed by D-IV Enterprises, incubated by RuTAG at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur, enables rural people to extract oil at a fraction of the cost.
This innovation has mechanised weaving for rural weavers
The advent of the 6-spindle Pirn Winding Machine is a boon for weavers who would find it difficult to transport bulky machines for weaving into remote hilly areas where the trade is often practiced. Here’s more on the invention.
Facing bias: My MBA journey and beyond
India’s diverse population is a blessing for the country. But the flipside can be discrimination, something Himadri Das, an executive with PRADAN in Udaipur, faced firsthand during her MBA days. Here she recounts her experience.
From waste to wonder – Odisha’s eco-friendly cow dung toys
At a time when plastic and rubber toys rule the market, artisans in Ganjam district are crafting them in the traditional way. From dolls to animal masks and vegetable shapes, the toys come in various forms and sizes.
A digital platform to connect rural buyers and sellers
Marketmirchi.com, a multilingual web-portal developed by IIT Bombay and Rural Technology Action Group (RuTAG), is transforming business in the agricultural sector by bringing together over 30,000 entrepreneurs, FPOs and self-help groups to buy and sell products.
Maharashtra village revamps ‘kurma ghar’ to ensure period dignity
In a small tribal village in Maharashtra, a community-led revolution aims to dispel the prevailing stigma around menstruation. The menstruation huts, once a symbol of shame, are slowly becoming a space for empowerment here.
Substitute for clay to ‘fortify’ Karnataka’s Bidri art
Did you know that the famous Bidri products were traditionally made with clay from a 15th century fort? Now scientists at IIT-Madras have come up with a chemical alternative to help artisans sustain the craft while preserving the monument.
A blooming business journey against the odds
Karishma Choyal, a young entrepreneur from rural Madhya Pradesh, transformed adversity into opportunity when she built a thriving flower business during the pandemic.
Mechanised device brings ‘shear’ benefits to shepherds
A cost-effective, durable and indigenous mechanised shearing device reduces sheep farmers’ drudgery in shearing the fleece, helping them produce better quality wool and earn more.
How a woman from rural UP built her beauty business
A woman from a small village in Uttar Pradesh turned her passion for beauty into a successful business with the support of a local youth hub overcoming many challenges.
Bihar’s STEM girls embrace coding to land lucrative jobs
School of Programming, a collaborative initiative of Project Potential and NavGurukul in Kishanganj, is empowering young women from rural Bihar with software coding skills, opening doors to aspirational careers and transforming their future.
Bobbing along: How a simple machine can uplift artisans
The simple yet revolutionary hank to bobbin machine can transform the ancient art of weaving, enhancing incomes and preserving tradition while ushering artisans into a more prosperous future.
Tribal women ensure safe drinking water for their village
In Kantakoli, a remote village in Odisha where the indigenous Juanga community lives, a severe water crisis spurred women to take action and ensure access to clean drinking water and improved livelihoods.
Air-cooled pushcarts to keep vegetables fresh for long
For vegetable hawkers who suffer losses due to deterioration in the quality of fruits and vegetables during summer, air-cooled pushcarts offer a simple cooling innovation to keep their produce fresh for longer periods.
How community-based primary mental healthcare can safeguard the aged
Lack of awareness and dearth of qualified professionals hinder mental health services for older people in rural areas. Primary mental healthcare, which involves the family and community, ensures that older people get the needed care.