Livelihoods
Manipur’s uncommon ‘salt of the earth’ and the threat to its legacy
Thumpak, the traditional salt cakes of Manipur, are still used for rituals, but their demand for everyday use has dwindled with the proliferation of commercial packaged salt.
With no vaccine in sight, Kerala pig farmers feel the heat of African swine flu
While Kerala’s state government follows stringent measures to stop the spread of the swine flu, pig farmers in the state struggle with losses, despite government compensation.
Cost-effective jalkunds help Manipur’s farmers tide over water woes
With climate-induced erratic rainfall affecting agriculture, the farmers of Manipur turn to jalkunds – low-cost water harvesting structures that go beyond irrigation needs and double their income.
Modern Farming: Growing potatoes on Mars? Ask these Ladakhi women farmers
Growing vegetable crops in covered low tunnels, trenches and unique greenhouses that protect their plants from the hostile elements, women farmers of Changthang, Ladakh take up modern farming to reap huge dividends.
Chhath Puja: How Muslim women contribute in Hindu festivities in Bihar
As cooking prasad on an earthen stove is important, Muslims make the stoves, continuing their family tradition. They take pride in their contribution to the Hindu festival of Chhath puja, despite low profits.
Fish on The Menu: A tale of reverse migration, malnutrition and tribals of Odisha
Fish farming helps the young tribals of Malkangiri, Odisha ditch migrant work for a profitable livelihood at home, boosting fish production and fighting malnutrition to boot.
Village Economy: How Karnataka quilts stitch comfort and history
Often seen as a side hustle, skilled women quilters in Karnataka keep their heritage alive upcycling colourful scraps of fabric into beautiful patchwork quilts, earning good money too.
Desi chicken empowers Odisha’s tribal women
In southern Odisha’s Malkangiri district, tribal women are rearing local breeds of chicken in free-range farms to supplement their family income and ensure better nutrition for their families.
The story of the migrating, dairy-farming Gujjars
In a yearly ritual forest-dwelling Gujjars migrate to a partially dried-up dam in Uttarakhand where their cattle graze with plenty of water and fodder around, and the farmers supply milk to nearby towns.
Devastating floods the latest woes for Odisha’s farmers
Already battered by cyclones, Odisha farmland is now hit by floods with its farmers facing massive financial losses and hoping for government compensation.
“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.
Win-win for women working in eco-tourism camp
While five eco-tourism camps in Odisha’s picturesque Satkosia Tiger Reserve offer a nature retreat for tourists, they also boost both the confidence and income of the women workers.
Safaris drive up Bastar tourism
A group of Chhattisgarh youth invest in sports utility vehicles to offer safari rides inside the Kanger Valley National Park, gaining an income and boosting tourism in Bastar.
Cycling 1400 km to get 1000 rural investors
The man behind Jharkhand's Mor Mitti initiative is cycling 1400 kms to New Delhi, hoping to pick up 1000 investors in his rural project along the way. We spoke with Biswambharnath Naik about his ambitious journey.
Famed Kashmiri carpets knotted for new parliament
Renowned Kashmiri carpets are being specially made for India's new parliament building, giving a boost to the region's famous crafts industry.
A bus driver now drives farm prosperity
Meet Amol Kadam, a bus driver who is helping his village with farming.
How the patuas sustain their art of storytelling through scrolls
The patua art of storytelling through painted scrolls and songs now flourishes in varied adaptations, putting the art on the world map.
Bell metal fires fading out in Assam
The rising cost of raw material, coupled with the pandemic and stiff competition from other states, is dealing a blow to the ancient brass and bell metal industry of Sarthebari, Assam.
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.