Being Human

Being Human

I have always wondered about what makes a human “human”. Is it their high...

Conversations About Boundaries

Conversations About Boundaries

"I think women's tolerance to male entitlement has come down as compared to our mothers' generation", said Rohini* sitting on one side of the canal. We were five India Fellows who had come to this beautiful village called Noor* for our rural immersion. Two other...

The Warmth And Hospitality Of Amma In Jaiswal

The Warmth And Hospitality Of Amma In Jaiswal

Fellows with the family they met in Jaiswal Most people love you because you are their own, some people love you because you are obliging. But today I was witness to love and endearment that stem from neither. I wonder what could be the reason for such kindness to...

At The Helm

At The Helm

When Anupama, the India Fellow program's Co-Founder, asked for someone to volunteer to be the group leader before we head to a village, I did what I always do—immediately smiled at someone else and gave them an encouraging nod. We were standing outside our hostel at...

Meenakshi Devi and Her Never Give Up Attitude

Meenakshi Devi and Her Never Give Up Attitude

A still from Meenakshi Devi's classroom My anticipation from the first field visit during our induction training was largely based on my stereotypes of villages. Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie puts this across eloquently in her TedTalk 'The Dangers of a Single Story' She...

A Chatty Charmer And An M.Com Graduate

A Chatty Charmer And An M.Com Graduate

Nav Jyoti Primary School A long walk in the scorching sun followed by a warm welcome and two glasses of Chaach (Butter Milk) each, the five of us (my co-fellows and I) set out to explore Jatara*, Rajasthan. As I led my team into the village, I saw a bunch of small...

3 Women, 2 Generations: Finding Agency In Their Domestic Spheres

The view from Preeti's* home “Hamara gaon bahar se bohut sundar hai lekin andar se utna hi alag hai" (Our village is very beautiful when seen from outside, but from inside it is very different), said Preeti* while talking to us. The way she said it made an impact on...

Not Asking Questions Ft. Women Of Kataar

Not Asking Questions Ft. Women Of Kataar

Towards the west of Badgaon in Gogunda Tehsil of Udaipur, Rajasthan, lies a small hamlet called Kataar*. Famous for a beautiful lake and a dam aptly called Bada Talaab amidst green hills, Kataar served as a great destination for the first rural immersion as a part of...

There Is A Helipad, But Where Is The Water?

There Is A Helipad, But Where Is The Water?

Katara is a village in Bargaon Tehsil in Udaipur District of Rajasthan State, India. It can also be called a hamlet as it consists of about 125 homes and the population is about 800. In the last 5 years a township has started to form near Katara, it is approx. 3km...

Affluence, Struggles And Mothers In Katara

Affluence, Struggles And Mothers In Katara

“Yahan sab badiya hai, log bhi ache hai, mein bohot khush hun”, said *Helly Bai with glitter in her eyes. Helly Bai runs a small shop in Katara village to add to her earnings from farms and land. As a part of India Fellow program, we were introduced to the villages to...

Where Are All The Farmers Of Madaar Going?

Where Are All The Farmers Of Madaar Going?

The youth are engaged in a volley ball match, at the entrance of Madaar village, Udaipur. “Youngster in village are not ready to do physical labor” says Mr. Raut*, 45. Mr Raut has spent all his life in Madaar and now teaching Hindi as a language to students at the...

Madaar Mein “Sab Badhiya Hai”?

Madaar Mein “Sab Badhiya Hai”?

Madaar is a village in Bargaon block in Udaipur district of Rajasthan. It is almost 9 to 10 km from Udaipur city. There are two beautiful lakes named “Bari Talaab” and “Chhoti Talaab” in the village and you’ll find an amazing topography there. Lakes which are...