Livelihood
Baaghi finds a way
Amarpura, in Rajasthan’s Jaisalmer district, barely receives any rain but when it does, the heavy downpours carry away the topsoil and manure, destroying the crop. Rainwater that can be harvested for farming and domestic use goes to waste. For many, like Baaghi, this has meant losing their livelihoods.
Leaving a corporate job to take the road less travelled
Bismaya Mahapatra gave up his corporate career to work for marginalised communities in rural India. He changed his consultancy firm ‘Harsha’ to ‘Harsha Trust' in 2002 to work in a sustained manner with the poor rather than in a project mode. To set up the corpus for the trust, he donated Rs 10 lakh, his profits earned from his firm. The office initially operated out of his garage.
Lemongrass flavours prosperity in Odisha’s Koraput
Farmers in Koraput are transitioning to lemongrass cultivation, supported by the district’s horticulture department and the Odisha government, as the herb offers a higher return than traditional crops.
In pics – How India’s fishers look for ‘net gain’
Approximately 28 million fishers, both men and women, thrive across India, showcasing their skills in lakes, rivers and oceans. Stunning aerial shots reveal the deep cultural bonds they forge and the breathtaking landscapes of the country.
Emerging agenda for livelihoods promotion
With increasing digitisation, changing consumption patterns and rising concerns about environment conservation posing novel challenges, fresh perspectives are needed to promote livelihoods of the poor. A new report by Access Development Services looks at these issues.
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.
Out of India into Africa – sharing youth engagement strategies
From Jharkhand and Madhya Pradesh to Mombasa, TRI’s amazing youth leaders shared their best practices and success stories of building livelihood opportunities in rural India at the GOYN 2023 Global Convening in Kenya.
Tribal women stitch a new future in Gujarat’s Dang
Left without farm work after the harvesting season ended, women from two villages in Dang district of Gujarat come together to form successful tailoring units.
Racing with the tides- Earth Day
Biswajit Sahu, a fisherman, has been collecting artefacts while fishing to create a museum preserving the history of the Sunderbans, battling climate change and the rising sea.
The state of cattle bell makers of Jharkhand
For years people have been tying bells around the neck of their cattle. Along with beauty, it makes finding cattle in the forests easy. Cattle bells were once a symbol of prosperous rural life, but the use of machines, and dwindling cattle numbers, have reduced the tinkling of the bells.
Die cast for vanishing cowbells of Jharkhand
Blacksmiths practising the ancient art form of making cowbells are struggling to make ends meet as sales have dipped, with rural folks keeping fewer cattle now.
Of pani puri and beauty salons: Gujarat tribals turn entrepreneurs
In an unyielding terrain where farming is unsustainable and when migrating to cities is not lucrative, promoting rural enterprises is helping tribal youth become successful micro-entrepreneurs.
Saving Kashmir’s crewel from machine-made copies
After spurning suggestions to adopt machinery, Gowher Ali Bhat successfully carries on his father’s legacy of crewelwork handicraft, and employs 150 women artisans.
Shrimply Tamil Nadu
Does the sight of shrimp make you hungry? This photo walkthrough shows how shrimp farming is reshaping the environment, livelihoods and social relations in a coastal village of Tamil Nadu.
The voice of a labourer
A villager who raises his voice for labourers’ rights and juggles multiple jobs to make a living inspires a development management student to be courageous and just. The lead image shows Grishma Kajbaje and her friend during a field visit.
Of windmills and women
Wind farms are generally a beneficial source of renewable energy. But what happens when they cut through ancient tribal land, stoking fears of lost livelihoods and identities? India Fellow Aneesh Mohan finds out.
Of livelihoods in barren terrains
In remote and barren terrains people should be helped in turning adverse conditions to their advantage, rather than pursuing unviable dreams.
How interactive audio helped migrants during lockdown
An existing interactive voice response system was refashioned, enabling migrant workers in destination cities get messages regarding their circumstances across, subsequently facilitating their return
Mutlupur farmers transform neglected wetland into integrated farm
A group of farmers have converted a shunned wetland to practice fish farming, agroforestry and horticulture, providing employment and livelihood opportunities to impoverished villagers
Land comes in between plough and plate
Increasing fragmentation of cultivated land in most parts of India makes it difficult to build supply chains of produce from farm gates to end consumers in an efficient and viable manner