Jaukandhei is a traditional folk art from Odisha that represents the state's culture, literature, art, religion and spirituality. The Jaukandhei dolls are usually in pairs with a male and a female, and are considered to be auspicious symbols of conjugal happiness.

Thanks to a jewellery-making training capsule organised in Rayagada, a tribal dominated district in Odisha, 150 Kondh and Saura tribe women make necklaces, cuff bracelets, earrings, rings, hairpins, waistbands and bangles out of bamboo and are earning up to Rs 25,000 a month.

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.

Tribal women from the Debakumar village of Balasore in Odisha, turn to the eco-friendly Sabai grass to make handicrafts, that is helping them earn a livelihood. Odisha Rural Development and Marketing Society provides skill up-gradation training to these women.

Kamala Moharana is part of a women self-help group in a small village in Kendrapara district in Odisha that skillfully converts discarded milk pouches, cigarette packets, gutkha wrapper into beautiful craft. This gives them a livelihood and cleans up the surroundings of their village too.

A resident of a village in Rajasthan, Brajesh Bhargav, along with 200 other women, makes 250 different types of jute-based products. She receives bulk orders from Delhi, Jaipur and Agra. Her products under the brand name Raksakhi are listed on Flipkart and Amazon too.

Two years after finding it unsustainable to pursue their traditional singing, about 150 Kendara singers in Odisha are now back to wandering in the villages, humming songs while playing their cherished musical instrument which dates back to the 12th century. State government’s efforts to include these artists in the craft festivals and the ongoing festive season has brought cheers to the wanderer-singer community. Details here.

A rural school in Balotra, Rajasthan provides free education and vocational training to children with special needs to help them become self-reliant. It combines both education, and treatment for the children, many of whom have cerebral palsy, are visually or hearing impaired, or are in the Autism spectrum.