VILLAGE VIBE
I want to see girls stand up for themselves: ‘Skater girl’ Asha
From growing up in a tribal family in Madhya Pradesh to participating in a championship in China, Asha Gond has realised her dream. The ‘skater girl’ and her German mentor Ulrike Reinhard tell us about their journey and more.
Rural anonymity to IPL glory: 5 cricketers who made it
The Indian Premier League (IPL) has changed the fortunes of many aspiring cricketers hailing from the small towns and villages of India. Here are five talents taking to the pitch in IPL 2024.
Escaping Mumbai for spectacular Spiti
Earlier in April, I went to Spiti Valley in Himachal Pradesh, momentarily escaping Mumbai’s brutal heat and humidity. Nestled at 14,000 ft., its cold, snow-covered mountainous landscape, sustainable living, and mystical beauty is truly a ‘world within worlds’ as Rudyard Kipling described it.
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.
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.
Getting inked more than a passing gen-z fad
In India, while tattoos are typically a personal choice, certain tribes use them to maintain their collective identity. Valued for their healing properties and cultural significance, tattoos are becoming a sought-after souvenir for travellers exploring rural India as well. This emerging trend is shedding light on the rustic charm of the countryside, offering a glimpse into a hidden gem of cultural exploration. Here, we showcase snapshots of diverse tattoos adorning the skin of rural India, captured by contestants of the Village Vibe Photo Contest.
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.
Celebrating the arrival of spring with the Fagli festival
Fagli, celebrated across Himachal Pradesh to mark the transition of the season from winter to spring, is a significant and colourful festival with traditional music and dance that brings communities together.
Assam farmers reap benefits of sustainable irrigation technique
Alternate wetting and drying, a sustainable irrigation technique, is helping paddy farmers in Assam reduce the cost of irrigation, enhance crop production and decrease methane emissions from their fields.
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.
IN VIDEOS
Straw artist Pradeepta Nayak preserves heritage from paddy waste
Armed with little more than paddy straws and a boundless imagination, Odisha’s national award-winning artist Pradeepta Nayak resurrects an ancient art form and empowers women in his native Jirala village through his craft.
Stay at these lovely homestays to explore Sanchi, Bhimbetka in MP
An hour out of Bhopal, the village of Khari offers guests comfortable homestays run by villagers and nearby attractions such as the Kesla Dam, Bhimbetka caves and the Sanchi Stupa. Village Square does a recce.
The arts are bigger than us: Dancer Navtej Johar
Navtej Johar is a trailblazer in more ways than one. In an exclusive interview with Village Square, he talks about the past, present and future of Bharatnatyam, yoga and LGBTQ+ rights in India.
RURAL NEWS
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.
Blacksmiths show an iron will in this MP village
Faced with dwindling sales, blacksmiths in Kala Dumar village of Jabalpur are looking at giving a contemporary touch to their products to get good prices and also engage their future generation in the skill-based ancestral practice.
From pond to Padma Shri, Odisha’s aquaculture icon charts new waters
Batakrushna Sahoo, the ‘Aquaman’ of Odisha, rose from humble beginnings to national recognition for revolutionising fish farming and empowering thousands through free training programmes and initiatives like Aqua Chaupal.
India’s unsung heroes – women navigating their way through a changing country. Her accomplishments, her struggles, her livelihood, her home, her hopes. Her life.
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‘More than my food business, it’s about uplifting my community’
A training programme prompted her to start her own ragi-based food business. After a successful start, she has expanded the business and now trains other women in her village for better livelihood.
From tribal roots to a fashion icon: Jharkhand model redefines beauty standards
Anjel Mareena Tirkey from Jharkhand has broken the societal norms of her conservative Oraon tribal community to realise her dream of pursuing a career in the modelling and entertainment industry.
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Events
Art, spiritualism and more to delight you at this Dharamshala fest
Get ready to participate in uplifting workshops and performances by eminent artists like Piyush Mishra, Raj Zutshi, Navtej Johar and others at Swara Mountain Arts Festival at Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh. The six-day event begins on April 21.
Programmes
Capacity Building Programme
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Development Communications Training
Village Square announces a certified training program for students interested in the communications domain. This internship program will give you an opportunity to get trained from leading industry experts and enhance all your skillsets i.e, required to be a good communication specialist. Starting from 30th November, 2023
Fellowship
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Village Square announces its fellowship
Village Square Fellowship 2023 is for youth to tell the powerful stories of rural India. The 9 months fellowship will include a monthly stipend of Rs 35,000 along with training from leading sector-experts.
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