Positive Stories
Rural women’s ‘grain banks’ in Uttar Pradesh support small farmers, aid food security amidst COVID-19
The Grain Bank is an initiative that began in 2016, with the objective of benefitting farmers with small land holdings, but during the COVID-19 pandemic and the lockdown, it has turned into a movement to battle starvation and empower women in rural areas Uttar Pradesh.
Neetu Singh
Seeds of progress: A retired Army colonel cultivates chia seeds in Uttar Pradesh
Harishchandra Singh has successfully cultivated chia seeds, considered a superfood, on his farm at Barabanki, in Uttar Pradesh. PM Narendra Modi recently hailed him in Mann Ki Baat.
Virendra Singh
Poonam Tiwari, an international level weightlifter, coaches village girls — many of whom have won accolades
Ever since the nation-wide lockdown in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic was announced in March, last year, Poonam Tiwari has been coaching athletes that hail from villages in and around Hardoi in Uttar Pradesh. The coaching is free of cost and many of these rural girls have bagged medals at national and state levels.
Neetu Singh
When women forest officers run a zoo
Five women Indian Forest Service officers share their experience of running a zoo, the bonds they formed with animals and the unique perspectives they brought to the job.
Subha J Rao
‘Women’s courts’ in UP villages address gender violence
The contribution of women in the rural landscape is hardly ever talked about or gets recognised. On International Women’s Day, Gaon Connection reports stories that showcase women empowerment from India’s villages. In the first part of the series, read about the story of ‘women’s court’ in the villages of Uttar Pradesh.
Neetu Singh
Gud news: UP govt organises event to promote jaggery industry, raise awareness about its health benefits
The Uttar Pradesh government is organising a special two-day Gud Mahotsav in Lucknow, that will showcase a range of jaggery-based products, besides raising awareness about its health benefits.
Gaon Connection
Rainbow trouts rain profits for farmers in Kashmir
Farmers in Kashmir are taking up rainbow trout farming, tempted by high returns. Fish farms in many states get lakhs of eyed ova of rainbow trout from Kokernag fisheries farm in J&K, and make a neat profit from selling the grown fish. Why has trout farming become so popular?
Mudassir Kuloo
Mirzapur’s tomatoes travel to Oman and the UK
Using modern farming methods and organic manure, farmer Kanaklata is reaping a rich yield of Durg tomatoes from her land in Mirzapur, Uttar Pradesh. She harvests about 1.5 quintals every day.
Brijendra Dubey
Corona and creativity: Art in the time of the pandemic
Gond, Rogan, Pashmina, Bidri and Warli artisans endured economic hardship during the COVID-19 lockdown, yet managed to hold on to their craft. Meet some artists who showcased their creations at India Craft Week 2021, held from February 18 to 21 in New Delhi.
Komal Badodekar
Malkangiri Model: Mic, mosquito nets and mass awareness to fight malaria
Trained ASHA workers go from door to door in Odisha’s Malkangiri, a hotbed of malaria, monitoring use of treated mosquito nets and checking villagers for fever. Last June, the Malaria-free Malkangiri Campaign was launched by converging 14 line departments. Malaria cases have since seen a decline.