Village Vibe
Lip-smacking tribal cuisines help women make a living
A tribal festival in Jharkhand popularises authentic tribal cuisine, ensuring traditional recipes are preserved and helping tribal women explore opportunities to make money serving their unique fare.
August-Photo of the Month
For the August edition of Photo of the Month we received over 170 stunning pictures from across India. These photos give us a stunning glimpse into rural India's diverse chores and recreational activities. Here are the amazing shortlisted photos for Photo of the Month - August.
Stresses and dreams from India’s youth
Hear the stark differences between rural and urban youth about their hopes and dreams, worries and challenges, on International Youth Day.
Goa’s villagers struggle with fewer tourists
As if the COVID pandemic weren’t bad enough, the Russian war deals a harder blow to Goa’s tourism, forcing tourism-dependent villagers to find new means of income.
International Friendship Day – Bridging the gap of language
What is friendship? Can it be only between humans? On International Friendship Day – the theme this year being bridging the gap between race, language and culture – we showcase the unique bond between humans and animals which is a true example of a reciprocated relation called friendship. These pictures show friendship as a different language between humans and animals.
July – Photo of the Month
We continue to get more beautiful, jaw-dropping pictures of rural India, courtesy our remarkable photo community. Have a look at these amazing shortlisted photos for Photo of the Month - July.
Being LGBTQ in rural India
What does being LGBTQ mean in rural India and what are the legal strangleholds that make LGBTQ life a challenge in small town India? We take a look at Village Square in celebration of Pride Day.
The tale and telling of queerness in Bengal’s Bhadu songs
When queerness was criminalised in the 19th century, queer-trans people took refuge in the Bhadu folklore that saw them as goddess-incarnates and also gave them visibility.
Photo call-out – send us your plastic pollution pictures
Send us your pictures on why India's July 1 single-use plastic ban is important - show us what plastic waste is doing to rural India!
Mor Mitti – A team of young entrepreneurs building a sustainable space in Jharkhand
Aseem Sinha, Biswambharnath Naik, Deepali Nayak and Dr. Minashree Horo, the four pillars of Mor Mitti, came up with the concept of ACE( Art, Culture and Entrepreneurship). They will be telling their incredible story of how they built Mor Mitti at the World Localisation Day event on June 20
Megha Parmar, the first woman mountaineer from Madhya Pradesh
We spoke to the inspiring Megha Parmar, a mountaineer, scuba diver and a youth icon from Madhya Pradesh, about her journey, motivation, and her many achievements. She will be one of the inspiring rural changemakers at the World Localisation Day event.
Our heroes – celebrating fatherhood
What does it mean to be a father? The head of the family or part of the parenting team? A loving tutor in life? One who guides but allows mistakes? A playmate at times, a strict paternal figure at others? An inspiration and role model? As Father’s Day approaches Village Square celebrates fatherhood and the many roles of being a dad or granddad in rural India.
Tangy food craze – appemidi mango pickles
A must-have condiment of coastal Karnataka - pickles made from small but fragrant appemidi mangoes are so popular and in high demand now that more farmers are growing the hardy mangoes.
Introducing Dolly, corporate professional turned two-time sarpanch from Bihar
As part of the build up for World Localization Day celebration on 20 June, we spoke to Ms Dolly, who left her comfortable corporate job to pursue a career in grassroots politics. She will be one of the many rural changemakers telling her incredible story at the Event. You can also access our conversation with her on Instagram live here.
Stopping the Baiga tribal tattoo art from fading
Forehead tattoos - steeped in symbolism - used to distinguish Baiga tribal girls from the other tribes, but today few want them. Which is why Baiga tattoo artist Mangala Bai Marawi wants to preserve the tradition.
Rural youth turn to cool eco-tourism jobs in Chhattisgarh
Converted into an eco-tourism facility, the scenic spot near Kodar Dam in Chhattisgarh offers a perfect weekend get-away, while ensuring local employment for rural youth and better income.
June – Photo of the Month
The quality and energy of our readers and supporters when it comes to capturing rural India on camera has overwhelmed us again. Do have a look at these beautiful snaps sent for this Photo of the Month series.
Distant dream of sex reassignment surgery
With government hospitals lacking mandated hormonal therapy and counselling facilities for transgenders and private hospitals super expensive, sex reassignment surgery is beyond the reach of transgenders.
Tea Tales – India’s ever evolving chai culture
As we observed International Tea Day on May 21, to peek into the vibrant history of chai and chai tapris in India, Village Square spoke to Arup K Chatterjee, professor of English at OP Jindal Global University. He is the author of widely acclaimed books including, The Purveyors of Destiny: A Cultural Biography of the Indian Railways and The Great Indian Railways.
Celebrating India’s favorite beverage – chai
For India, chai is more than just a beverage. Chai and the chai tapris (tea stalls) evoke a bundle of emotions. For this International Tea Day, we are taking you on a chai-tapri tour. To the familiar transparent chai-glasses, aluminum kettles, and the smell of ginger, elaichi, and brewing tea leaves. We bring to you, from tea gardens to the vibrant chai tapris which are also spaces for wonderful conversations.