Uttar Pradesh
How a woman from rural UP built her beauty business
A woman from a small village in Uttar Pradesh turned her passion for beauty into a successful business with the support of a local youth hub overcoming many challenges.
Where farms produce more bricks than crops
Financial needs push farmers in Perera Pur village in Uttar Pradesh lease out their land to kilns. Making bricks with the topsoil of a farm reduces soil fertility, productivity and income, forcing farmers into a vicious cycle of economic challenges.
Self-defence lessons for UP’s rural women
Young women in rural UP take up Taekwondo, and other lessons in essential life skills, as a part of a training programme, under the aegis of the Aga Khan Foundation (AKF), making themselves more resilient.
Women farmers harness solar power for irrigation
Switching to solar power for irrigation from diesel pumps that were costly, hard to operate and polluting, women farmers in this Uttar Pradesh village grow high-value crops, simultaneously reducing the irrigation cost by half.
Where school dropouts get to work in hospitals
Young women who had dropped out of school due to difficult circumstances get trained to work as nursing assistants, while also learning to develop a professional attitude at work.
One woman’s mission to make goats healthier in UP villages
This 31-year-old resident of Bahraich district in Uttar Pradesh has become a a pashu sakhi to ensure goat health by taking care of vaccination, medical treatments and safe delivery of animals.
Bio-gas, a blessing
Cooking with bio-gas offers a host of benefits, discovers a widow who manages her household single-handedly.
The many shades of Varanasi ghats
Take a journey through the vibrant, colorful and iconic ghats of Varanasi - from bustling markets to tranquil sunrises and sacred evening aartis.
Curbing malnutrition, one poshan vatika at a time
In the malnutrition-prone Bahraich district of Uttar Pradesh, where children experience stunted growth and women are anaemic, growing organic vegetables in nutrition gardens is improving the health of villagers, while helping them save money.
How women are taking care of livestock health in UP
With veterinary clinics being miles away, livestock healthcare was difficult for villagers in Bahraich district of Uttar Pradesh. Trained women pashu sakhis now treat goats locally, getting financially independent and empowered in the process.
Exciting village festivals you can attend this March
Spring is here! And rural India is getting ready to celebrate the blooming season with festivities that reflect each region’s cultural richness. These are some of the most vibrant festivals you can enjoy this March.
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.
The flame of Ujjwala burns strong
Through financial assistance, Ujjwala scheme helps rural and migrant households access cleaner cooking gas. Women save time spent earlier in collecting firewood and cooking and are able to earn more.
Rural entrepreneur empowers other women in UP
Tasting success and financial freedom through her small ventures, a woman encourages the others towards self-reliance which changes the gender and power equations in her village.
City student’s eye-opening account of village trip
It may need years of stay in a village for a visitor to understand rural challenges, but even a brief trip can make an indelible impression. This college student from Greater Noida gets a firsthand experience.
Teacher inspires school enrolment through films in UP village
Vivek Kumar’s dedication and innovative teaching methods revive the primary school at Mangal Purwa village, kindling the students’ passion for learning, creativity, and art.
The MGNREGA worker who won an Asian Games medal
From digging pits as a daily wage labourer to taking the podium at Hangzhou, China, Asian Games medallist Ram Baboo has come a long way. But his village continues to wait for many facilities, the athlete tells us.
A new chapter begins for kids in UP village
A women’s collective spearheads the community initiative to start a library at Marui village of Uttar Pradesh to enable their children gain comprehensive knowledge and holistic development.
How Kaali the dog unleashed hope for disabled Jitu
Jitu Thakur, once struck by polio, led a tough life in his village in Uttar Pradesh. He moved to Indore seeking independence but encountered brutality. That was until he met Kaali who transformed his life.
Summer camp for kids ensures learning beyond books
Members of a women’s collective and school teachers work together to organise a summer camp in Bhawanipur village of Uttar Pradesh, to help children gain holistic knowledge.