What is good governance? How well can a person or a community access help or push for a needed change? How often are they heard? Village Square shines a light on the people and schemes making the biggest impact or providing the most unique solutions.
Governance
“Gratitude award” offers Rs 1 crore for India’s changemakers
The Yashraj Research Foundation announced “Yashraj Bharti Samman Award” to recognise leaders of social change in India who could win Rs One Crore - each - for their transformative idea or work.
Where are women in local government?
Dismayed by seeing very few women in district-level government prompts two young development professionals to find out why.
Saathi Ventures announces award for stories of micro-entrepreneurs
More than half of India's population is engaged in entrepreneurship, especially micro-entrepreneurship. To celebrate India’s massive micro-entrepreneurial economy, Saathi Ventures is conducting a micro-entrepreneurship storytelling challenge.
Sparking ideas for India’s next 75 years
The recent Indian Rural Colloquy brought together India's sharpest minds - from doyens of the development world to industry leaders, government secretaries and activists - all at the front of India's march to progress.
World’s highest railway bridge brings Kashmiri villagers hope
As the arch of world’s highest rail bridge over the Chenab River in Kashmir gets completed in time for Independence Day, people in the valley look forward to a better economy when trains start plying.
How the youth built and build India
Contrary to the myth that youth are self-absorbed, many young women and men not only fought for Independence but in the decades that followed have given up well paying jobs to work on India's development - which the youth of today carry forward.
Chai and Bandhu brew a perfect blend for Chakla
Suspicious of his motives, his tea shop and Muslim identity, the people of Chakla village shunned Abdul Nazar until they realised his chai shop was a springboard to develop their village.
The silent revolution: The DAY of hope and promise
Leading development expert, Sanjiv Phansalkar, is in awe of Deen Dayal Upadhya Antyodaya Yojana - a social programme that’s impacted over 86 million households through over 8 million self-help groups of women.
Is digital planning working for India’s villages?
India’s villages are the last stop in the government’s drive to digitize administrative planning and ensure a more transparent allocation of resources. But how effective is this digital push? Development worker Jitendra Pandit tackles this in his Field Report.