It is 2023. Branded as witches, women are still being tortured and killed in Bihar
It is 2023. Branded as witches, women are still being tortured and killed in Bihar

By दिति बाजपेई

India reported 663 murders attributed to witch-hunts between 2015 and 2021. This comes to an average of 95 witch–hunt/witch-craft related deaths every year. Bihar was the first state to enact a law against this practice with a punishment of up to 6 months jail or Rs 2,000 fine! Still, women continue to be hunted down as witches. A ground report.

India reported 663 murders attributed to witch-hunts between 2015 and 2021. This comes to an average of 95 witch–hunt/witch-craft related deaths every year. Bihar was the first state to enact a law against this practice with a punishment of up to 6 months jail or Rs 2,000 fine! Still, women continue to be hunted down as witches. A ground report.

A 36-day online training in agriculture has transformed farmer Renu Devi’s life. Here’s how
A 36-day online training in agriculture has transformed farmer Renu Devi’s life. Here’s how

By Manoj Choudhary

Renu Devi is a multi-tasker. Not only does she grow vegetables, she owns a shop to sell them. The 28-year-old is one among the 10 members of the FPO board of directors in her village in Ramgarh, Jharkhand.

Renu Devi is a multi-tasker. Not only does she grow vegetables, she owns a shop to sell them. The 28-year-old is one among the 10 members of the FPO board of directors in her village in Ramgarh, Jharkhand.

‘Watching Our Mother, an ASHA Worker, Has Taught Us to Be Good Humans’
‘Watching Our Mother, an ASHA Worker, Has Taught Us to Be Good Humans’

By Ramji Mishra

Uma Devi is a frontline healthcare worker in rural Uttar Pradesh who has marched on despite strife in her personal life, and has been honoured by Kareena Kapoor, actor and brand ambassador for UNICEF, for promoting mother and child health.

Uma Devi is a frontline healthcare worker in rural Uttar Pradesh who has marched on despite strife in her personal life, and has been honoured by Kareena Kapoor, actor and brand ambassador for UNICEF, for promoting mother and child health.

Bihar: Ten days on, 10 villagers including 5 women and a minor, still in jail; sand mining in Gaya turns violent
Bihar: Ten days on, 10 villagers including 5 women and a minor, still in jail; sand mining in Gaya turns violent

By Lovely Kumari

A sand mine auction in Arhatpur village of Gaya district turned violent after local villagers protested against mining in their Morhar river. These villagers have been protesting against the sand mining for the last several years and claim that sand removal from the riverbed is increasing their vulnerability during floods, destroying their farmland and endangering livelihoods. A Gaon Connection ground report.

A sand mine auction in Arhatpur village of Gaya district turned violent after local villagers protested against mining in their Morhar river. These villagers have been protesting against the sand mining for the last several years and claim that sand removal from the riverbed is increasing their vulnerability during floods, destroying their farmland and endangering livelihoods. A Gaon Connection ground report.

Married at 8 and unlettered herself, 49-year-old Saguni Devi from Ajmer champions girls' education
Married at 8 and unlettered herself, 49-year-old Saguni Devi from Ajmer champions girls' education

By Satish Malviya

Saguni Devi Bairva is an adivasi farmer from Ajmer, Rajasthan, and she so inspired another young adivasi, Arti Singh from Chhattisgarh, that latter made a documentary on her called ‘Kisan Hoon, Nidar Hoon’, which was recently screened at the Green Hub Central India (GHCI) festival in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh.

Saguni Devi Bairva is an adivasi farmer from Ajmer, Rajasthan, and she so inspired another young adivasi, Arti Singh from Chhattisgarh, that latter made a documentary on her called ‘Kisan Hoon, Nidar Hoon’, which was recently screened at the Green Hub Central India (GHCI) festival in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh.

The Galicha Makers of Dholpur
The Galicha Makers of Dholpur

By Manoj Choudhary

Women in Bahrawati village of Rajasthan weave carpets, locally known as galicha, which helps them earn a living. However, a part of their earnings go to the middlemen. Efforts are underway to directly link these rural women with the market.

Women in Bahrawati village of Rajasthan weave carpets, locally known as galicha, which helps them earn a living. However, a part of their earnings go to the middlemen. Efforts are underway to directly link these rural women with the market.

Once migrant labourers at brick kilns, women in Lohardaga now farm their land and rear pigs
Once migrant labourers at brick kilns, women in Lohardaga now farm their land and rear pigs

By Manoj Choudhary

After years of moving from place to place looking for an income, women in Lohardaga district of Jharkhand find empowerment in a programme called End Ultra Poverty that is helping them stay home and practise agriculture and animal husbandry.

After years of moving from place to place looking for an income, women in Lohardaga district of Jharkhand find empowerment in a programme called End Ultra Poverty that is helping them stay home and practise agriculture and animal husbandry.

Asian Games: Naorem Roshibina Devi of Manipur Bags India’s Maiden Medal in Wushu
Asian Games: Naorem Roshibina Devi of Manipur Bags India’s Maiden Medal in Wushu

By गाँव कनेक्शन

Naorem Roshibina won a silver medal in Wushu (also known as Kung Fu). This is India’s first medal in the sport at the ongoing Asian games in Hangzhou, China. She has dedicated this medal to her home state which is presently in turmoil.

Naorem Roshibina won a silver medal in Wushu (also known as Kung Fu). This is India’s first medal in the sport at the ongoing Asian games in Hangzhou, China. She has dedicated this medal to her home state which is presently in turmoil.

Rural women add spice to their livelihoods
Rural women add spice to their livelihoods

By Virendra Singh

A year ago, a group of rural women in Sitapur, Uttar Pradesh, got together as a self-help group and started making turmeric, chilli and coriander masalas at home. Now, they are set to supply their masalas to nearly 400 schools for preparing the midday meals.

A year ago, a group of rural women in Sitapur, Uttar Pradesh, got together as a self-help group and started making turmeric, chilli and coriander masalas at home. Now, they are set to supply their masalas to nearly 400 schools for preparing the midday meals.

Herbal Holi With Colours Made of Beetroots, Spinach And Marigolds
Herbal Holi With Colours Made of Beetroots, Spinach And Marigolds

By Sumit Yadav

A women-led self help group in Unnao, Uttar Pradesh, prepares colours extracted from fruits, vegetables and flowers to sell as gulal for Holi that is round the corner.

A women-led self help group in Unnao, Uttar Pradesh, prepares colours extracted from fruits, vegetables and flowers to sell as gulal for Holi that is round the corner.

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