Ground Report
Irrigation facilities improve farmers’ lives in Odisha
Many tribal farmers in Odisha were living below the poverty line due to lack of irrigation facilities. New bore wells and farm training are helping them earn more now, according to a Harsha Trust social worker.
For women in Ayodhya, becoming micro-entrepreneurs is not just about money
Coming together as collectives and running micro enterprises help rural women not only earn more and provide better for their family but also become more confident decision makers.
How farmers flourish with community-owned solar-powered irrigation system in UP’s Bahraich
A common eco-friendly solar-powered irrigation system for a group of farmers helps them earn more while weaning them off polluting diesel pumps or relying on rains.
Marathi women keep alive poet Sant Janabai’s songs of life
Following the Varkari religious tradition, women in Maharashtra take pride in singing the songs of and about Janabai – a 13th century Marathi religious poet and saint.
Nagaland: Young girl breaks the norm, drums her way towards her dreams
A teen teaches herself to play the drums, encourages other girls to hone their innate talents and nurtures future dreams for her village in Nagaland that is shedding patriarchy.
Good or bad to call women leaders ‘mahila sarpanch?’
Identifying women leaders by gender – like ‘mahila sarpanch’ – seems a step back, but one development worker sees it as acknowledging the challenges women overcame to become leaders.
Physically challenged women ensure mother-child health
These resilient frontline health workers ensure nourishment and development of young women and children in their village, despite their own physical disabilities and challenges.
New survey shows processed snack foods lure rural Indians
A new survey by the Development Intelligence Unit shows that obesity is a rapidly evolving problem, especially in rural India, and needs to be addressed through policies and awareness campaigns
Tribal women trained in safe home deliveries
In remote tribal areas where hospitals are hours away, women deliver their babies safely at home, thanks to traditional birth attendants trained in safe practices.
Young girl fights the devadasi tradition
A leading women’s rights activist tells the story of a young girl fighting the devadasi practice that enslaves girls of vulnerable communities into the flesh trade, either through direct dedications or false marriages.
Healing mental health wounds
Access to mental health care is lacking in rural India - especially for the marginalized - which is why The Banyan mental health service organization enlists local community women to help them help those in need.
Poshan Maah – eat nutritious, eat local
September’s Poshan Maah (nutrition month) helps development professionals drive home the importance of eating locally-sourced, nourishing food to eradicate malnutrition through discussions and games.
Reverse dowry – empowering or subjugation?
Though the practice of Barela tribesmen marrying women by paying a “bride price” – or reverse dowry – appears to be empowering for women, a development worker finds it is essentially “buying” brides.
Food security improved by women’s groups in MP
Involving women self-help groups in the public distribution of food in Madhya Pradesh is strengthening food security, according to a development worker with Transform Rural India Foundation.
Helping marginalised kids go to university
Led by a lifelong social worker, a small group of passionate, retired professionals in Karnataka is finding bright but marginalised children and tutoring them. Their goal is to get fifty kids into IIT.
A bus driver now drives farm prosperity
Meet Amol Kadam, a bus driver who is helping his village with farming.
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.
An educator and his rural school with a difference
The likes of this advocate-turned-educator who offers quality education to rural children and works for rural development, are an inspiration for society’s progress, says this young development professional.
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.
No longer walking 2km to fetch dirty water
When government water schemes do not reach two tribal villages of Rajasthan, the women of Chittorgarh take matters into their own hands and install a treatment plant and a piped water supply system.