Stories
Everyday struggles of a widow in Punjab
Life for Kulwinder Kaur of Pathan Nangal village in Amritsar district of Punjab, has never been easy. Widowed early, bringing up children on her own, looking for firewood and doing all sorts of jobs to run her family – her life is a grim reminder of the everyday struggles of many in rural India.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
“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.
“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.
“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.
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.
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.
“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.
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.
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.
“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.
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.
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.
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.