West Bengal

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Miniaturist preserves legacy of the Darjeeling toy train

‘In the hills of Darjeeling, the toy train runs in my blood,’ says Sanjeev Bagdas, one of the last remaining artists handcrafting miniature replicas of the iconic Himalayan locomotive

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8 rural women who got the Padma Shri this year

From training elephants to healing people with herbal medicines, these heart-driven Padma Shri recipients of 2024 are raising the bar in social impact, and establishing a legacy through their contributions.

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Bengal Patachitra weaves tales of resilience and expression

Naya village in West Bengal showcases vibrant Patachitra artworks, gaining global attention and adapting to modern times while preserving its traditional art that serves as a vessel for addressing various issues.

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What it’s like to travel in an all-woman train

Introduced by the West Bengal government, Matribhumi trains are meant exclusively for women's mobility. Though two mixed compartments were added post the protests in 2015, women still opt for it, valuing its comfort and safety.

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Rural fests you can attend this December

India is bursting with celebrations - from colourful traditions and rituals to music, dance, sports and delicious food. Come and experience the magic of India's festivals taking place in December 2023.

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We just discovered a hidden gem in Darjeeling

Mist and memories intertwine in the village of Takdah, 28 km from Darjeeling, and as the fog lifts, it reveals not just a destination but a timeless escape into nature’s embrace.

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Coming up, a fest to connect with Kalimpong culture

The upcoming Kholey Dai festival celebrates Kalimpong’s culture with folk music, workshops and eco-tourism. It’s being organised by Parengtar village residents along with Muhaan and other local enterprises, in collaboration with Village Square.

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Kumhartuli artisans in full swing ahead of Durgo Pujo

West Bengal's artisans flock to Kumhartuli village for crafting Durga idols during Durgo Pujo. Some switch careers for six months while others specialise in making jewellery, attire and wigs.

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Bengal farmer on ‘mission mango’ to save the fruit

A passionate farmer is making all efforts to save the disappearing diversity of mangoes in Murshidabad, which once boasted of nearly 200 local varieties.

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Inspiring rural women who defied expectations

They had only a dream to start with. And they have made their mark in various fields with a never-quit spirit. This International Day of Rural Women, we revisit some inspiring stories covered on Village Square.

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The sweet story of Kolkata’s Rabrigram

Rabrigram’s women have raised the bar of economic prosperity by supplying over 1,000kg of Indian dessert rabri to Kolkata, every day – fetching the village an annual revenue of Rs 60 lakh.

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Tea garden workers face bitter home truth in Bengal

Beneficiaries of West Bengal government’s Chaa Sundari housing scheme express dissatisfaction, citing inadequate facilities and infrastructure that have dampened their dreams of owning their own houses.

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Tuskers trample Bengal village’s jackfruits of labour

As north Bengal struggles to coexist with elephants, the fate of Nepali Basti’s once-thriving jackfruit trade hangs in the balance as farmers incur losses due to the onslaught from the tuskers and abandon cultivation.

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Titanic comes alive as Jahaj Bari in a north Bengal village

A man’s ship-shaped childhood dream takes concrete form in the small village of Nijbari, nestled in the heart of West Bengal’s Darjeeling district.

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Earth Overshoot Day: A call for sustained conservation efforts

The World Overshoot Day today once again serves as a reminder that human demands on nature surpass the planet's biocapacity. The effects are for everyone to see, especially in rural areas.

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This Bengal shopkeeper is turning his village green

Haraprasad Pal, who runs a small grocery shop in his village, has been planting flowering shrubs and trees to make his village green and help others enjoy the benefits.

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Bengal banana farmers bask in sunshine

Banana farmers in West Bengal’s Birbhum district conserve water and energy, utilising solar-powered pumps to extract groundwater and distribute it through the drip irrigation system.

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Drinking water no longer a distant luxury for remote Bengal

The climate-impacted communities in West Bengal no longer have to walk long distances to fetch water since the Jal Jeevan Mission has enhanced access, significantly improving their lives.

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Why are most women in Sundarbans anaemic?

A survey conducted on 164 women and adolescent girls in the Basanti and Gosaba blocks of Sundarbans found that 97 percent of them suffer from a severe deficiency of healthy red blood cells.

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Bengal’s Sabar tribe struggles for survival

One of the poorest communities of India, 20 families of Sabar tribe toil to gather two square meals a day, subsisting on sal fruit, red ant eggs and a meagre government handout of rice.