Reportage
Small processing units can help the agriculture sector tide over the current economic crisis
The immediate efforts to deal with the way challenges have emerged in the agriculture sector are fine, but it is crucial to formulate medium and long-term strategies for far-reaching results
AK Shah
Farmers worried as a severe locust attack destroys crops in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh
The country is battling the desert locusts in the heartland states of Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh. Gujarat and Punjab have also warned the farmers of locust attacks
Divendra Singh
Labourers living in quarantine centres in this tribal village are going hungry
Many labourers are living in two quarantine centres in Kurud village in the Gadchiroli district of Maharashtra. The administration has asked their family members to get meals for them, which has put them at risk
Himanshu Singh
Two tragedies: He lost his father. He started on his bike to go to his village, but he died in an accident
Upon hearing the news of his father’s death, who lived in Jharkhand, Aditya Rai, set out on a motorcycle from Delhi as public transport was shut due to the lockdown. But he ended up losing his life
Kushal Mishra
“You are taking our photos, making videos. But, please arrange for a vehicle for us”
These migrants were told buses would be plying from Lucknow to Chhattisgarh. But they were told to get some documents. Dejected, most of them started walking to their hometowns
Neetu Singh
The mining of coal has continued even during the COVID-19 lockdown. But, what about the mineworkers’ health and safety?
Mining activities were exempted from the lockdown by the Union Home Ministry. The Directorate General of Mines Safety issued a circular to ensure the safety and protection of the mineworkers during the coronavirus pandemic. But, what is the ground reality? A Gaon Connection report from Raniganj Coalfield in Paschim Bardhaman district of West Bengal
Aritra Bhattacharya
The future of rural India post-COVID-19
At this point, we do not know how long we will need to wait to contain COVID-19. We are looking at a ‘new normal’ shaping up, and being internalised by people who will learn to adapt to new processes of work and life. Post the crisis, we will need to repurpose our rural strategy, focusing on place-based economic opportunities, better services and rural infrastructure, and ensuring security and dignity of labour
Anish Kumar
Reverse Migration: What do these migrant labourers have to say about going back to the cities?
Migrant labourers have suffered a lot during the lockdown. After a long wait, they started moving back to their home. The homecoming, too, was full of struggles. Now, they are staring at a blank future
Daya Sagar
As Cyclone Amphan batters parts of West Bengal, villagers in Bhadrak in Odisha have a déjà vu
Last year, Odisha’s Bhadrak was the worst-hit when Cyclone Fani hit the state. Six months later, Cyclone Bulbul left its damaging imprint. With Cyclone Amphan, it’s the same cycle of destruction
Azera Parveen Rahman
At least 72 dead as Cyclone Amphan tears into Sundarbans and West Bengal
Early reports by Gaon Connection show flooding and strong winds of the cyclone have destroyed fishing ponds, lakes, poultry farms, thousands of acres of paddy ready for harvest in the state