Read the opinion pieces from those at the sharp end of development world – from practitioners in the field to district officers and even ideators creating schemes for the future. Field Journal is the place for civil society groups to share their experiences and insights – their highs and lows – in their journey to put India on the path to progress.
Ground Report
Sparking change: How one woman’s dreams lit up an MP village
In rural Madhya Pradesh, Lakshmi Warakade’s transformation from a struggling farm worker to a successful electrician's assistant demonstrates the power of opportunity, determination and community support in breaking the cycle of poverty and inspiring others.
Claiming the streets: SHGs, women and public spaces
In rural India, women are boldly reclaiming public spaces through self-help groups (SHGs) and collectives. These gatherings are transforming village dynamics, challenging patriarchal norms and enabling economic empowerment.
Bahabanga festival: A cultural identity of the Santhals
The Santhals’ practice of welcoming a new season through rituals, songs and dances during the Bahabanga festival showcases their culture, and demonstrates how their lives revolve around nature and agricultural seasons.
Hope mushrooms for these women of flood-prone Barpeta
A few months ago, four brave women from the Bodo tribe in Assam's Barpeta district started a mushroom farm, bringing hope and empowerment to their flood-prone, poverty-stricken village.
Chashi bandhus help communities restore ecosystem in Bengal
In Bankura district of Bengal, known for its barren hillsides, chashi bandhus or farmers’ friends are recognising the importance of arresting rainwater runoff, and implementing measures to transform the landscape and people’s livelihoods.
How a sarpanch led the facelift of his Gujarat village
Suresh Chhanga of Kunariya gram panchayat in Kachchh district has ushered a transformation in his village, with a focus on safe water and sanitation services, demonstrating how villages can lead in achieving Sustainable Development Goals.
With cans of filtered water, she exhibits ‘can do’ entrepreneurial spirit
Unable to sustain her family with an agricultural income, this Jharkhand farmer sees an opportunity in supplying filtered water. With the right support, she establishes herself as a successful entrepreneur and is raring to grow.
Women spearhead claim to community forest rights
In the absence of individual land rights, community forest rights empower tribal women in Gujarat and Odisha, amplifying their voices in village-level decision-making and reaffirming their role in protection and management of their natural resources.
Hakkum Mail wheels in hope for Chhattisgarh’s tribes
Development eluded Sukma district’s tribes due to their remote settlements and sociopolitical conflicts. Hakkum Mail, a new bus service, connects them to services essential for growth and a better quality of life.