Her Life

her life

She wanted to become a forest officer since childhood. Now she is an IFS officer

Observing how the livelihood of her community depended on mahua flowers and tendu leaves from the forest, Stylo Mandavi chose to join the Indian Forest Service. As an officer where human-elephant conflict is common, she must always be on alert.

her life

Jharkhand’s tribal girl becomes a farmer, smashes patriarchy with a tractor

In a village steeped in patriarchy, 20-year-old Manju Oraon of Jharkhand – blamed for this year’s drought for daring to become a farmer – sells her smartphone to buy seeds, ploughs through her land and the tribal men’s animosity with a tractor.

her life

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.

her life

The first Indian woman who converted polythene into ashes

Despite lacking a technical education and being ridiculed for her ‘scientific pursuit,’ 48-year-old Nasira Akhtar of Kanipora village in south Kashmir’s Kulgam district, is about to get a patent for her grassroots innovation of a magical herb that converts polythene into ashes.

her life

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.

her life

Sugna Devi: The “manure missy” of Rajasthan

Losing her husband to COVID was a huge blow for Sugna Devi. Desperate to provide for her children, she learned sustainable farming techniques and now makes and sells bio-pesticides and fertilisers. With a focus on chemical-free farming and soil fertility, she trains others also to make these bio-products.

her life

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.

her life

“With the Bhil Pithora art, I let my creativity run free”

Following the footsteps of her mother, yet developing her own style of painting the Bhil Pithora art, Shanta Bhuriya not only gets commissioned to paint but trains young and old alike to keep this traditional art form alive.

her life

“Instead of succumbing to miseries, I took charge of my life and SHGs helped me”

Born in a poor farmer household and having had to bear the burden of losing loved ones early in life, Sukari Nag of Neganar village in Chhattisgarh was emotionally and financially drained. Joining a self-help group not only improves her income but helps her guide others as the group’s leader.

her life

“You’re a girl. How can you go out in a sports outfit?”

Taunted and rebuked by the conservatives during her teenage years for her passion for water sports, the encouraging words of her mother kept Bilquis Mir going. Now the 33-year-old is not only a household name and a youth icon in Kashmir but also a trusted coach and international judge.

her life

Why this woman in Odisha is called a traditional seed guardian

Kudeladu Jani, a tribal farmer in Odisha’s Kandhamal district who’s been conserving traditional seeds for two decades, says they’re precious because they need no chemicals, are nutritious and protect the community’s traditional agro-ecological knowledge.

her life

She brings fruitful farming to Leh’s cold mountains

Inspired by the verdant fields of Punjab, research scientist Jigmet Yangchin motivates women in the cold mountainous regions of her homeland, Leh. She introduces easy vermicomposting and cleaning the River Sindh – anything to make life better for her people.

her life

“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.

her life

Tribal girl goes from athlete to village leader

Bhagyashree Lekami was focused on entering the sports profession until the people in her village made her head of the panchayat. Now she tries to ensure her village progresses, from winning workers’ confidence to busting vaccine hesitancy.

her life

She quit corporate job to conserve native seeds

Enchanted by nature’s variety and the work of conservationists, an idea was planted in Sowmya Balasubramaniam’s mind - compelling her to quit her IT job and take on the challenging role of creating a seed conservation collective with local farmers instead.

her life

“They killed my husband as revenge against me”

Seeing alcohol-induced domestic violence all around her, Malti Singh is tearing down illegal liquor-brewing units, despite losing her husband in her fight against hooch.

her life

Making soft toys gets her an award

Chandrakala Verma didn’t have the opportunity to complete her schooling. Married at 18 and filled with an urge to do something, she enrolled for a training in making soft toys. Her skills have not only made her an entrepreneur and an employer, but got her a national award.

her life

Embroidery takes her mind off cancer

Though a school dropout, Rabia Khatun used her Kantha embroidery skills to help support her family. Now her embroidery unit not only employs some 100 Kantha artisans but also takes her mind off her battle with cancer.

her life

A dairy farmer by chance

Namita Patojoshi bought a cow to avoid the high costs of milk. From selling surplus milk to neighbours, her cattle shed has grown into a large dairy farm. Having educated her three children, she now aims to educate her staff’s kids.

her life

“I realised I couldn’t live without jungles”

Wildlife biologist Prachi Mehta has been attracted to jungles and wildlife since her school days. The jungles, where many women hesitate to tread, are her passion, where she does her own wildlife research and conservation work along with her husband, through their Pune-based organisation, Wildlife Research and Conservation Society.