Nuakhai: A Festive Evening

Nuakhai: A Festive Evening

In Odisha, Maa Manikeshwari is widely worshipped. One can find the name on everything – hospital, bus, restaurant, even a general store.

Beharda:  A Hidden Tale Of Prosperity

Beharda: A Hidden Tale Of Prosperity

Often in history we have seen many of the princely states, cities and villages which were once at the peak of their prosperity turn into ruins. Today I will tell you the story of one such village which was once known for its prosperity but now only a few traces...

A Job Still Not Worth Its Salt

A Job Still Not Worth Its Salt

Life hasn’t changed much for small-scale salt pan workers known as Agariyas in the Little Rann of Kutch (LRK). It continues to be as harsh and predictable as the landscape. For centuries and generations, from as long as they can remember, it has been the same. These...

गुमनाम बिरहोर समुदाय

गुमनाम बिरहोर समुदाय

हम किताबों में, कहानियों में, कुछ जगह घूम कर या लोगों से सुन कर आदिवासी समाज के बारे में जानते हैं. सरकार के लम्बे भाषणों में भी उनके विकास और हक़ की बातें सुनने में आती हैं. ऐसा भी कहते हैं कि आज के समय में उन्हें सारे अधिकार मिल रहे हैं और उनकी ज़रूरतों पर ध्यान दिया...

The Struggles Of Sheep Shearing In Gujarat

The Struggles Of Sheep Shearing In Gujarat

Winter is here and it comes with warm sweaters, shawls and rajais. Sheep wool, and perhaps camel, rabbit, and yak wool, mostly make these winter clothes, according to common knowledge. However, this belief is not entirely accurate. The majority of contemporary winter...

Chhath Puja In Bihar: A Celebration Of Four Days

Chhath Puja In Bihar: A Celebration Of Four Days

What is Chhath Puja? Chhath Puja is an yearly four daylong celebration. It is celebrated in the Bihar, UP and Jharkhand. Over the years the prevelance and celebration of Chhath Puja has increased around the world due to Bihari migration across the world. It is...

हैंडीक्राफ़्ट के दाम इतने महंगे क्यों है?

हैंडीक्राफ़्ट के दाम इतने महंगे क्यों है?

हैंडीक्राफ़्ट यानी हाथ से बना सामान। जब भी मैं इनके बारे में सुनता हूँ तो एक ही बात ज़ेहन में आती है कि ये इतने महंगे क्यों होते हैं। और जब मैं इनको बनाने की कहानी और मेहनत के बारे में सुनता हूँ तो लगता है कि हैंडीक्राफ़्ट का सामान खरीदना चाहिए और उसे बढ़ावा देना...

जैविक खेती और कुछ पुरानी पद्दति का विश्लेषण

जैविक खेती और कुछ पुरानी पद्दति का विश्लेषण

जब हम अपने आस पास खेतों में लहलहाती फसलों को देखते हैं तो लगता है कि हमारा देश कितना अनाज उत्पादन कर रहा है और मान लेते हैं कि हर घर में लोगों के लिए पर्याप्त आहार है। लेकिन हम कभी यह नही सोचते कि जो अनाज उग कर हमारे पास आ रहा है उनमें से लगभग सभी फसलों में रसायन का...

The Janmashtami Of Ratnal

The Janmashtami Of Ratnal

Ratnal is a small village, spread on both sides of a highway connecting Bhuj and Anjar in Kutch, Gujarat. On the outside, it looks like a typical Indian village but there is more to it. After getting to know about the famous Janmashtami celebrations there, I planned...

Work, Worship And Waterbody

Work, Worship And Waterbody

Dear Reader, You probably don’t know me. But if there was one thing I’d like to tell about myself, it's that I worship work. At the cost of sounding like a terrible person, I have to confess that I've judged people based on how much they work. The more time they spend...

The Story Of Thoriyari Village Pond

The Story Of Thoriyari Village Pond

Thoriyari village pond is a place to visit, a great learning resource to understand water structures and its dynamics in the are. Thoriyari is between big Rann and small Rann of Kutch, on the edge closer to the small Rann in Rapar Taluka of Kutch District. It's a dry...

Fakirani Jats Of Kutch, Gujarat

Fakirani Jats Of Kutch, Gujarat

Since I started working in the corporate IT industry, I've always been away from my home state, Andhra Pradesh. At the same time, it gave me an opportunity to explore, understand and experience other cultures. When I was working in Pune, most of my friends were from...

Salma’s Home In The Forests Of Uttarakhand

Salma’s Home In The Forests Of Uttarakhand

This is an attempt to understand the world of a forest dweller who is trying to define her house based on her relationship with space. Her knowledge and confidence is derived from keen observations and considerations of self as a part of an ever-changing forest. From...

Pulling The Maheshwari Threads Together

Pulling The Maheshwari Threads Together

As I walk through the narrow lanes of Maheshwar, a symphony of sounds fills the air. It is the rhythmic beating of the heart and soul of this historic town. The sound of cotton and silk threads meticulously woven into exquisite Maheshwari sarees. These sarees embody...

Who Are The Baigas?

Who Are The Baigas?

My India Fellow journey got more purposeful when I reached Chhattisgarh after completing the initial three-week training. Chhattisgarh is one of the most beautiful places on Earth where ancient heritage and vibrant culture meets breathtaking landscapes. Its cross...