Sowing Hope

Sowing Hope

*Disclaimer: This is a work of fiction, written as part of a reflection...

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...

Water: From Scarcity To Abundance

Water: From Scarcity To Abundance

"Come, come, sit under the tree. Yes, it's scorching hot anyways. Shall I make tea for you? Or would you prefer milk? You can have either, just don't ask for water because we don't have it." I was with Malu Baba and his wife in their house. Upon hearing this, I...

Rural Banks And The Blame Game

Rural Banks And The Blame Game

"The worst service I've ever got..." Those were my words as an unsatisfied customer at my bank's home branch in Kerala four years ago. Little did I know that in my role today, I would be closely interacting with bank officials and customers. I'm working with migrant...

Obligated Resilience And Optimistic Illusion Of Climate Adaptation

Obligated Resilience And Optimistic Illusion Of Climate Adaptation

Chronicles from a community's struggle of resilience, who have to keep adapting to shifting according to political and climatic uncertainties This climatic year have been bad for the Van Gujjar community as the migrating group went through the shift and faced...

Women Embracing Digital Technology: Challenges & Opportunities

Women Embracing Digital Technology: Challenges & Opportunities

I spent approximately six months in Maheshwar, living cashless and relying solely on digital payments. Whether it was my morning tea, evening grocery shopping, bus tickets, or fuel bills, I used UPI for all transactions. Unified Payments Interface (UPI) is an instant...

Families Migrating From Kushalgarh In Distress

Families Migrating From Kushalgarh In Distress

The only thing more unthinkable than leaving was staying, the only thing more impossible than staying was leaving - Arundhati Roy Kushalgarh is a small town in the district of Banswara, Rajasthan. Until the year 1949, it was an Indian princely state under the...

‘Character Alive’ : An Activity To Engage Children

‘Character Alive’ : An Activity To Engage Children

Working at a children's library has been a journey filled with endless possibilities and captivating discoveries. Among the many fascinating aspects of library education, one that has truly stood out for me, is 'Engagement activities'. What are Engagement Activities?...

Journey Of Gulab Buffalos’ Milk

Journey Of Gulab Buffalos’ Milk

Study of Van Gujjar settlements and their spatial utilization by understanding everyday activities, resources management and commons distribution across the landscape specially Buffalos' Milk. Asama from Kunao, Rajaji National Park got up at 4am. She needs to complete...

Of Children And Childhood – What Are They Thinking?

Of Children And Childhood – What Are They Thinking?

Part of how Basic Healthcare Services takes care of the community’s health is through its Phulwaris, the day care centres. In areas that are off route (what is the route anyway? And what makes so many people build houses so far from each other and so far up the hill?)...

Inked In Tradition: The Tattoos Of Bind Community

Inked In Tradition: The Tattoos Of Bind Community

People in India have been using permanent tattoos on the skin for more than a century. Each clan had a distinctive personality frequently characterised by a large size tattoo. There are many social justifications for doing it in these communities. Most people nowadays...