Reportage

December 28, 2019

The dark secret of Jharkhand’s shiny mineral mica

Families of the Santhal schedule tribe in Jharkhand are forced to descend into dangerous rat-hole mines to collect mica scrap for livelihood. Often they get buried alive when these illegal mines collapse. Those who survive suffer various health problems including breathing illnesses and even tuberculosis

Nidhi Jamwal
December 28, 2019

Women facing livelihood crisis in a fishing belt in Andhra spark a change; set up small businesses

The fisheries sector provides employment to more than 14 million people. However, these fisherfolk are staring at a gloomy future as livelihoods get affected and unemployment looms

Faizi Noor Ahmad
December 28, 2019

“What’s the point of development when our kids are going to die because of pollution?”

For development projects, like the construction of metros or bullet trains, authorities cut trees and then promise to compensate by planting saplings as many as three or four times for every tree cut. But how many of these saplings actually survive? The reality is hard to digest

Shivani Gupta
December 28, 2019

We wanted to study, but …

For young girls in villages, education is a luxury. But most of them are forced to discontinue their studies even before completing secondary education. Besides safety issues, there are many reasons behind their dropping out. In order to understand the roadblocks, Gaon Connection interviewed many girls in villages in Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, and Uttar Pradesh

Shivani Gupta
December 28, 2019

Ever eaten veggies grown in “black and red” chemical water? People in Gujarat are eating

A joint investigation by Paryavaran Suraksha Samiti & Gujarat Pollution Control Board revealed that the last 120 kms of the Sabarmati river comprises just industrial effluents and sewage

Swati Subhedar
December 28, 2019

Child-lifters don’t exist, say the police. So, why these mob lynchings?

Child lifting rumours are doing the round yet again. Gaon Connection spoke to police authorities, sociologists and cyber-crime experts to understand what triggers rumour mongering, which leads to mob lynching incidents

Ranvijay Singh
December 28, 2019

Scams in midday meals hard to execute. Just need to fix the loopholes, say gram pradhans, headmasters

Each school receives Rs 4.48 per child for a midday meal. If a school has a strength of 100, it will get Rs 450 per day. Even by trying really, really hard, one may save a maximum of Rs 1,500-2,000, said gram pradhans and headmasters. So, where are the loopholes?

Ranvijay Singh
December 27, 2019

You relish prawn often? Thank the many farms, and farmers’ heavy toil

Prawns are a favourite of both gourmet chefs and gourmands. However, prawn farmers often have to toil under the harsh sun and the humid air, which makes their skin leathery to touch

englishteam
December 27, 2019

A village in Andhra Pradesh is facing an uncertain future due to coastal erosion

People of Uppada, a village in East Godavari district of Andhra Pradesh, are facing nature’s wrath. The village has had to move multiple times due to coastal erosion

Faizi Noor Ahmad
December 27, 2019

“Those living in villages have no idea about the internet shutdown. It gets difficult for us”

Internet services were suspended in around 50 districts in seven states after protest against the Citizenship Amendment Bill turned violent. Those living in rural India have suffered the most

englishteam