West Bengal
When the goddess comes calling
Durga Puja is celebrated with pomp and glory not just in the cities, but towns and villages too. Village Square offers glimpses into the celebrations across rural West Bengal.
The woman behind the Durga idol
Mousumi Sardar redefines the art of idol-making, creating a niche for female talent in the male dominated tradition.
Howrah’s fight for its wilderness
A passionate group of environmentalists come together to save the biodiversity of Howrah district in West Bengal.
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.
‘Kantha Didi’ takes Bengal’s age-old art to global recognition
Meet ‘Kantha Didi’ Tajkira Begum, a self-professed go-getter who has sewed together a narrative of personal resilience, professional excellence and social inclusion using Bengal’s revered kantha stitch.
Concerted efforts help communities get through Cyclone Remal
While early warning systems help the administration prepare communities to safeguard themselves and their possessions during a cyclone, collaborative post-disaster relief work with other agencies helps people in the Sundarbans recover fast.
Cow power drives mid-day meals in this Bengal school
This primary school in a village in Purulia district of West Bengal has implemented biogas technology for preparing the mid-day meals for students, converting cow dung into cooking fuel to reduce costs and promote eco-friendly practices.
This Bengal woman shows there’s money in honey
Chaya Mondal of Tripura Nagar village in West Bengal defied gender norms and took to beekeeping after helping the men in her family rear honeybees. She now runs a successful business through the sale of honey and related products.
Purulia farm transforms barren land into green oasis
Breathing new life into the arid, red soil and the souls of its people, this agricultural venture has transformed into a catalyst for community empowerment and ecological restoration in West Bengal’s Purulia district.
Women lead climate change adaptation in the Sundarbans
Women emerge at the forefront in the cyclone-prone Sundarbans area, protecting the mangrove ecosystem, stabilising river banks through vetiver cultivation and improving their livelihood in the process.
Trouble brews in Bengal’s tea gardens
While India is the second largest producer of tea in the world, the tea gardens in Bengal face many issues. A few initiatives will help the tea gardens thrive.
Immersing in tradition: A pictorial tale of West Bengal’s Charak puja
Charak puja honors Shiva and Kali, symbolising renewal, forgiveness, and agricultural prosperity. It is celebrated on the occasion of Chaitra Sankranti, the last day (April 14) of the month of Chaitra, which is followed by the Bengali New Year.
West Bengal’s famous handloom industry in peril
The rich heritage of handloom of West Bengal is dying a rapid death due to factors linked to the lockdown, migration, competition from powerlooms and Government negligence.
Meet the woman who walks many a mile to deliver mail
Working at a post office where her late husband had held the same job, Alaka Mahato, a mother of three, walks every day to a few villages in Bengal to deliver mail, happy to carry on his legacy.
Climate change — With 2 tiger attacks a month, Sundarbans reels under human-animal conflict
Climate change and rising sea levels are pushing farmers deep into the mangroves of the Sundarbans where they become victims of deadly tiger attacks
Bengal farmers turn fans of fingerling farming
Villagers in Purulia district find rearing fingerlings more profitable as they fetch more income in shorter periods than traditional freshwater fish farming.
Bengal teens fight for safer menstrual waste disposal
A group of young women in rural Bengal is redefining empowerment by challenging stigma surrounding menstruation, paving the way for a more inclusive and enlightened society.
Busier than bees: Sundarbans’ honey collectors
For several decades, residents of areas bordering the dense forests of the Sundarbans, have collected honey and gathered crabs for sustenance. They have also grappled with human-wildlife conflict, as tigers and crocodiles continue to pose serious threats.
Banyan tree to a proper classroom, Bengal teacher brings sea change
A head teacher posted at the primary school in the remote village of Gobindpur in West Bengal goes beyond his academic responsibilities to revamp the dilapidated school and transform the village.
Restoring the Sundarbans ecosystem
Proper implementation of mitigation measures and monitoring is needed to restore the mangroves and the rich biodiversity of the Sundarbans ecosystem that has been suffering due to multiple challenges.