Livelihoods
Assam’s rural theatre: Curtains up or down?
Despite competition from Netflix and YouTube, small theatre troupes in Assam enjoy a loyal patronage. Yet, with acting as their main livelihood, the artists face uncertainty during the pandemic.
Meet Similipal’s young forest “Protection Assistants”
Meet the youths working with the forest department – designated as “Protection Assistants” – to prevent poaching, stop illegal timber logging in Similipal National Park and spread the word about the benefits of park protection.
Kashmir’s cricket bat industry goes for a toss
Kashmir’s political and pandemic lockdowns, never mind inadequate infrastructure, are dealing a severe blow to its 100-crore cricket bat industry, which experts say could otherwise be booming.
Desi rose brings sweet smell of success
A once drought-stricken village in Maharashtra today is full of “lakhpatis” thanks to cultivating and creatively selling the “desi rose” – known for its intense fragrance and use in rituals and festivities.
Sun-dried vegetables find “flavour” in Kashmiri kitchens
Sun-drying summer vegetables, an ancient Kashmiri practice to make up for lack of fresh produce in the harsh winters, are still in demand thanks to their distinct flavour and the increasingly early onset of winters.
Ferocious river threatens potters’ livelihood
The 500-year-old legacy of Majuli Island’s potters is at risk as the River Brahmaputra slowly swallows their land and, ironically, measures to prevent erosion only add to the potter’s woes, never mind the next generation’s lack of interest in the art.
Tourism-dependent islanders struggle to stay afloat
Villagers in Elephanta Island were filled with hope when tourism resumed after the COVID-19 lockdowns. But with fear of a third wave and few tourists showing up, they begin the new year with apprehensions.
Women in Naxal hotbed “scoop up” sitaphal income
Tribal women in the Naxal stronghold of Bastar "scoop up" a fruitful income by harvesting custard apples and extracting the pulp, meeting the growing demand of urban India and foreign markets.
Odiya tribes discover the wonders of millets
Being climate-resilient and needing less water – never mind being super nutritious – millets are becoming the crop of choice for Odiya tribes, thanks to the state government’s Odisha Millets Mission.
Earning a lakh from half an acre
Blood, sweat and a little land: how the frail but hardy Pushpa Chhetri earns over a lakh from her half-acre plot of land in Assam.
Farming youth feel emboldened
As the year-long farmers’ protest comes to an end after the government scrapped three contentious farm laws, young people in the farming communities, especially from Haryana and Punjab, feel emboldened by the movement's success.
Rajasthani women stitch their way to high fashion
A young woman’s idea of putting her embroidery skills to good use has resulted in a fashion brand that now employs 22,000 rural artisans and even weathered the pandemic by nimbly setting up online store.
Naga tourism takes a hit due to violence
Nagaland’s Hornbill Festival – a much-awaited cultural extravaganza – was called off because of violence in the region. This comes as local tourism was already suffering because of the pandemic.
Big money in small mustards
Around 3,000 farmers and migrant returnees in Majuli – Assam’s flood-ravaged and eroding river island – reap rewards from growing climate resilient mustard.
Appetite for organic dairy spurs cottage industry
The growing demand for organic, homemade dairy products gives a boost to Kashmiri villagers who once tried to make ends meet by selling unprocessed milk. Now business is booming for curd, butter and paneer.
Protesting farmers won’t back down
Despite a victory, protesting farmers show no sign of ending their demonstration on the roads outside Delhi, with thousands heading into the capital to mark the first-year anniversary of their protest.
Women bet big on rearing rabbits
Rearing rabbits is becoming one of the most lucrative and profitable businesses for women in Nagaland thanks to the huge demand for rabbit meat and low farming costs.
Looking for gold
The gold they pan for does not bring lustre to their lives. Yet, with work hard to come by and limited water for agriculture, villagers keep looking for gold.
Early snowfall destroys apple orchards
Untimely snowfall causes extensive damage to apple orchards in southern Kashmir.
Solar “pumps” up incomes
How can farmers produce the food we eat without stable electricity for irrigation? By switching to solar-powered pumps, farmers become self-reliant and fruitful.