IN VIDEOS
“I am a below-average person”: Piyush Mishra
In a candid chat about being Piyush Mishra, the actor-writer-singer talks to us about his beliefs, struggles, the solace he now finds in spirituality and the message he would like to give to the rural youth.
Self-defence lessons for UP’s rural women
Young women in rural UP take up Taekwondo, and other lessons in essential life skills, as a part of a training programme, under the aegis of the Aga Khan Foundation (AKF), making themselves more resilient.
The Fighters lead the charge against cancer in Odisha
A group of 60 survivors in Odisha's Bargarh district band together as The Fighters Group and spearheads efforts to combat cancer, culminating in the inauguration of the region's first cancer hospital.
Swara Mountain Arts-the amalgamation of talent
Blending fun and learning, the Swara Mountain Arts Festival 2024 in Dharamshala brought together talented artists and mentors under one roof. Here are a few highlights from this vibrant event.
Swatting it? No, let the bee be!
On World Bee Day, we look at the reasons for the declining bee population, how that can impact us and more importantly why we should never kill a bee.
Lesser known endangered species of India
Discover the fragile beauty of nature’s diversity, as we delve into the lives of four endangered species whose existence hangs in the balance.
Bela pana, a nutritional and cooling Odia drink
Belapana, made from bael (wood apple) fruit, is a Odia drink that is believed to have cooling and digestive properties, making it ideal for the hot summer days.
Kashmir gets a bagful of green venture
Troubled by the presence of polythene litter and low employment opportunities in Kashmir, an engineering graduate took action by establishing the region’s first industrial unit producing environment-friendly products thereby reducing the reliance on polythene products.
I want to see girls stand up for themselves: ‘Skater girl’ Asha
From growing up in a tribal family in Madhya Pradesh to participating in a championship in China, Asha Gond has realised her dream. The ‘skater girl’ and her German mentor Ulrike Reinhard tell us about their journey and more.
Straw artist Pradeepta Nayak preserves heritage using paddy waste
Armed with little more than paddy straws and a boundless imagination, Odisha’s national award-winning artist Pradeepta Nayak resurrects an ancient art form and empowers women in his native Jirala village through his craft.
Stay at these lovely homestays to explore Sanchi, Bhimbetka in MP
An hour out of Bhopal, the village of Khari offers guests comfortable homestays run by villagers and nearby attractions such as the Kesla Dam, Bhimbetka caves and the Sanchi Stupa. Village Square does a recce.
The arts are bigger than us: Dancer Navtej Johar
Navtej Johar is a trailblazer in more ways than one. In an exclusive interview with Village Square, he talks about the past, present and future of Bharatnatyam, yoga and LGBTQ+ rights in India.
Bio-gas, a blessing
Cooking with bio-gas offers a host of benefits, discovers a widow who manages her household single-handedly.
Danda, a festival of the people’s belief
The Danda Yatra festival, spanning 13 days, is one of Odisha’s traditional festivals, and culminates in the Pana Sankranti marking the Odia new year. Village Square brings to you the highlights.
A journey of devotion and activism to revive Odisha’s Prachi river
As the once-glorious Prachi river languishes in neglect, a noble initiative known as Prachi Parikrama and led by spiritual guru Paramahamsa Prajnanananda seeks to breathe new life into its waters.
Waste spells disaster in J&K villages
Managing waste needs better planning and execution for the sustainability of our planet, as highlighted by the Earth Day, observed on 22 April. But, the waste management effort in Ganderbal district is proving to be a problem for villagers.
Asia’s largest tulip garden and its 17 lakh blooms
Nestled in the foothills of Zabarwan, Asia's largest tulip garden emerges as a rainbow of colours as different varieties of tulips blossom attracting tourists from all over the country.
Majuli mask of Assam receives GI tag
Majuli masks of Assam receive the prestigious Geographical Indicator(GI) tag for their unique cultural tradition. The craft dates back to the 15th century and is made on bamboo frames, with unique clay.
Three generations of the Khatri family revive the bagh print
In a quaint town of Madhya Pradesh the Khatri family is responsible for putting the spotlight back on the ancient bagh-printing technique, something they have now introduced to a global audience.
Sparrow Saviors of Jeypore: A Tale of Community Conservation
A contract worker pours in his savings, and efforts, for the cause of the sparrow in Odisha’s Jeypore city where urbanisation has taken its toll on the species.