Rural India is home of the original gig-economy worker. Enterprising villagers hop from tilling fields to tending shops, to door-to-door selling each day. Read the latest trends in micro-enterprises, rural start-ups and the shifting livelihoods of India’s villagers.
Livelihoods
Handloom and hues of success in Maheshwar
This school at Maheshwar in Madhya Pradesh helps aspiring master weavers polish their skills and gain cutting-edge know-how on the practices essential to succeeding in the handloom sector.
Empowering rural women, one sustainable pad at a time
Through her biodegradable sanitary pads brand Apna Green, Aruna Dara has started a movement for underprivileged women. She talks about her journey and emerging as one of the five winners of the Union government’s Prajjwala Challenge.
How bamboo farming is transforming lives in Tripura
In West Tripura district, a quiet revolution is taking root as farmers embrace bamboo cultivation under the state’s Bamboo Mission, redefining livelihoods and fostering sustainability.
From homemaker to ‘Dehati Madam who teaches English’
With over 3 lakh subscribers on her YouTube channel, this “Dehati Madam” from Uttar Pradesh is teaching English and rewriting her destiny using a budget smartphone, mobile data and a strong desire to learn.
A Punjab college for girls where every student is a teacher
Baba Aya Singh Riarki College in Punjab’s Gurdaspur district stands as a beacon of empowerment, challenging stereotypes and showcasing how girls are capable of achieving remarkable feats.
A Manipur village dares to dream, one Kachai lemon at a time
The Kachai lemon of Manipur has transcended its role as a mere fruit to become a catalyst for economic empowerment and self-reliance for people.
Maharashtra village morphs into pomegranate haven
Pomegranate growers in Maharashtra have much to thank farmers of Satmane village for their pioneering initiative to make orchards climate-resilient.
Manipur kindergarten kids learn to rock
Pam’s Kindergarten in Ukhrul seamlessly integrates music with the foundations of early education, showcasing the remarkable talents of its young students, particularly with the ukulele.
How livelihoods of the poor can be strengthened
The two-day Livelihoods India Summit being held in New Delhi brings together about 400 delegates with an aim to foster deliberations on issues relating to livelihoods promotion of the poor.