Photo Essays

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Manipur woman makes clothes with lotus stem fibre

Bijiyashanti Tongbram, a 30-year-old entrepreneur from Manipur, makes mufflers and stoles by spinning lotus stems. Her innovation caught the attention of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

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Display of India-Bangladesh friendship at Tripura’s Akhaura post

Akhaura, 10 km from Agartala, serves as a vital land port connecting India and Bangladesh. A zero line, marked near Agartala-Akhaura check post, symbolises camaraderie. On Bangladesh's Victory Day, guards exchange greetings, sweets, and flowers.

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Sohrai workshop brings together artistic hiveminds

Khwabgaon near Jhargram experienced a collaborative exchange between two cultures as artists from Hazaribag, Jharkhand, came over to Konedoba in Jhargram district and painted an illustrative Sohrai mural for three days.

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The exuberant post-wedding bridal march of Tangkhul Nagas

Ngala katha remains a prominent tradition in Tangkhul Naga weddings, enduring despite modernization. The vibrant post-wedding march from bride's to groom's house is cherished as its highlight.

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Manipur’s transmen’s football team transforms lives

Ya_All, a UN-recognised LGBTI+ youth-led organisation in Imphal, Manipur, symbolises resilience and inclusivity in Northeast India. This groundbreaking initiative goes beyond sports, making a significant impact.

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How the Oraon tribe makes Mahua liquor

In India, the Mahua flower, nestled in the branches of the Indian butter tree, is a cherished secret of the Oraon tribe. Explore the significance of Mahua liquor in their culture and its timeless recipe.

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Delivering smart solutions for sustainable food security

In this visual journey, we encapsulate the determination and hard work of farmers from around the country. From traditional farming to technological advancement, farming has evolved differently under different climatic conditions. This kisan diwas we celebrate farmers across India who toil day and night to put food on our tables.

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What it’s like to travel in an all-woman train

Introduced by the West Bengal government, Matribhumi trains are meant exclusively for women's mobility. Though two mixed compartments were added post the protests in 2015, women still opt for it, valuing its comfort and safety.

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Kashmiri women navigate success in water chestnuts

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Locally known as Singhara, water chestnuts grow naturally on the margins of Wular - one of the largest freshwater lakes in Asia. From harvesting the produce to selling, it is an industry run primarily by women.

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A day at Pushkar camel fair

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A day spent at Pushkar camel festival unfolds a tornado of sights, sounds and feelings. We made a touch-and-go visit and returned with a mind full of memories and a memory card full of photos.

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The Irula tribe of Tamil Nadu and their sacred stones

The Irulas worship deceased family members by erecting ancestral stones. The waterworn pebbles and sculptures represent the connection between the living and their forebears.

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Kashmiri Muslims light up Hindu homes for Diwali

In Kashmir, septuagenarian Abdul Salam Kumar crafts diyas (clay lamps) for Diwali. Despite his age, he diligently fulfils a 20,000 diya contract beneath Zabarwan peaks near Dal Lake.

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Kulasai Dasara comes alive with devotion and delight

Dussehra takes a riveting form at Kulasekharapatnam village of Tamil Nadu, where thousands of devotees, wearing body paint and costumes to look like different deities, gather at the Sri Mutharamman Temple to celebrate Kulasai Dasara.

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Life at Daribokgre village in Meghalaya

Meghalaya is home to three prominent communities - Khasi, Garo and Jaintia. Garos comprise the second-largest tribe in the state. Let's explore a Garo village and their way of life.

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A forest hunt for Chhattisgarh’s delicious Pihiri mushrooms

The rare Pihiri mushrooms found amid the lush greenery of Chhattisgarh's Achanakmar Tiger Reserve serve as a lifeline for local villagers who harvest them for income while tackling challenges like wildlife threats.

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Bt cotton, pink bollworm and the debt cycle in Punjab

As cotton harvesting begins in Punjab, this World Cotton Day we look at the impact of introduction of Bt cotton in the state. Almost two decades later, farmers are still grappling with pests and other problems.

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A day at a village square

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As Village Square turns 7 today, we feature a village square from Punjab where elders gather during the day as they return from fields – to take a nap, play cards or just catch up on everyday life.

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What a ‘grape’ village! 

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Over 600 years ago, Sufi saint Sheikh Noor-Ud-Din Wali praised Repora in Kashmir's Ganderbal district as 'Dachi Repora, Nazar chay cxopoor,' which means, "Repora grapes, your gaze extends everywhere." Today, Repora's vineyards are renowned for top-quality organic grapes, rivalling Italy.

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Bamboo, a miracle material in Meghalaya

Bamboo, locally called wa.a, has deep roots in the Garo community of Meghalaya. It thrives in the hills, used for homes and culinary delights. Discover its versatile role in Daribokgre village.

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The Srinagar haveli where ‘Rockstar’ was shot

Jalali House, a downtown Srinagar marvel, hosts political dignitaries from pre and post-independence India. This heritage gem also stars in Bollywood films, drawing tourists to the valley.