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Leaves, lives and livelihoods — tribal women risk their lives to earn Rs 5 for every 100 sal leaves they collect
Leaves, lives and livelihoods — tribal women risk their lives to earn Rs 5 for every 100 sal leaves they collect

By Madhu Sudan Chatterjee

Hundreds of tribal women in Bankura district of West Bengal brave treacherous paths and encounter wild animals to collect sal leaves and firewood from dense forests, which are then sold for a pittance.

Hundreds of tribal women in Bankura district of West Bengal brave treacherous paths and encounter wild animals to collect sal leaves and firewood from dense forests, which are then sold for a pittance.

Tribal communities celebrate Sarhul, their new year, by worshipping the Sal tree
Tribal communities celebrate Sarhul, their new year, by worshipping the Sal tree

By गाँव कनेक्शन

Sarhul, which means worshipping of the Sal tree, is the main festival of the tribal population of Jharkhand. The festival, which redefines worship of nature, is being celebrated with fanfare galore after a gap of two years due to COVID19. Details here.

Sarhul, which means worshipping of the Sal tree, is the main festival of the tribal population of Jharkhand. The festival, which redefines worship of nature, is being celebrated with fanfare galore after a gap of two years due to COVID19. Details here.

Sheroes to the rescue: Four villagers from Odisha earn plaudits for dousing fire in Sal forests
Sheroes to the rescue: Four villagers from Odisha earn plaudits for dousing fire in Sal forests

By Pradeep Mishra

Without waiting for the forest officials to arrive at the blaze site, two minor girls aged 13 and 16 and two women aged 23 and 43 took it upon themselves to extinguish the forest fire which was in close proximity to their village. Read more about the brave act which coincidentally unfolded on a day dedicated to women empowerment across the world.

Without waiting for the forest officials to arrive at the blaze site, two minor girls aged 13 and 16 and two women aged 23 and 43 took it upon themselves to extinguish the forest fire which was in close proximity to their village. Read more about the brave act which coincidentally unfolded on a day dedicated to women empowerment across the world.

The Saga of the Scarlet Semal
The Saga of the Scarlet Semal

By Ramesh Pandey

The semal tree is in all its glory with its crown of scarlet flowers. Its gum, immature fruits, young roots and buds have several medical properties. This tree is associated with folklore and is significant in the socio-ethnic lives of people across the India-Nepal border.

The semal tree is in all its glory with its crown of scarlet flowers. Its gum, immature fruits, young roots and buds have several medical properties. This tree is associated with folklore and is significant in the socio-ethnic lives of people across the India-Nepal border.

Digital Divide: Adivasi Women are Most Disadvantaged
Digital Divide: Adivasi Women are Most Disadvantaged

By Parijat Ghosh

According to data collected from a sample of 4,994 households from 284 villages in 53 Integrated Tribal Development Programme blocks, the Adivasi regions in Jharkhand and Odisha show much lower access to mobile networks than the national average. The tribal women in these regions are the most disadvantaged.

According to data collected from a sample of 4,994 households from 284 villages in 53 Integrated Tribal Development Programme blocks, the Adivasi regions in Jharkhand and Odisha show much lower access to mobile networks than the national average. The tribal women in these regions are the most disadvantaged.

Shortly after the Puri Rath Yatra, another village in Odisha celebrates its own unique version
Shortly after the Puri Rath Yatra, another village in Odisha celebrates its own unique version

By Niroj Ranjan Misra

The renowned rath yatra in Odisha takes on special significance in Remanda village in Jharsuguda, where it starts three days after the Puri rath yatra, and is flagged off by a ceremony called chhera pahanra, which has traditionally been undertaken by only Muslims in this village. It was celebrated this year on June 23.

The renowned rath yatra in Odisha takes on special significance in Remanda village in Jharsuguda, where it starts three days after the Puri rath yatra, and is flagged off by a ceremony called chhera pahanra, which has traditionally been undertaken by only Muslims in this village. It was celebrated this year on June 23.

In the Sundarbans, Fish is Gold
In the Sundarbans, Fish is Gold

By Aishwarya Tripathi

The fishermen of Sonagar village in the Sundarbans leave for a fortnight-long voyage to the narrow creeks in the mangroves in the hope of a big catch. The preparations start 15 days earlier.

The fishermen of Sonagar village in the Sundarbans leave for a fortnight-long voyage to the narrow creeks in the mangroves in the hope of a big catch. The preparations start 15 days earlier.

A cleric who is now a successful Dumba sheep farmer in West Bengal
A cleric who is now a successful Dumba sheep farmer in West Bengal

By Madhu Sudan Chatterjee

While studying in Jaipur, Rajasthan, Nabibul noticed how raising the Dumba breed of sheep had brought prosperity to its owners. When the pandemic hit his family hard, he bought five Dumba and now has a flourishing business.

While studying in Jaipur, Rajasthan, Nabibul noticed how raising the Dumba breed of sheep had brought prosperity to its owners. When the pandemic hit his family hard, he bought five Dumba and now has a flourishing business.

A cleric who is now a successful Dumba sheep farmer in West Bengal
A cleric who is now a successful Dumba sheep farmer in West Bengal

By Gaon Connection

While studying in Jaipur, Rajasthan, Nabibul noticed how raising the Dumba breed of sheep had brought prosperity to its owners. When the pandemic hit his family hard, he bought five Dumba and now has a flourishing business.

While studying in Jaipur, Rajasthan, Nabibul noticed how raising the Dumba breed of sheep had brought prosperity to its owners. When the pandemic hit his family hard, he bought five Dumba and now has a flourishing business.

Santhal Women Put Tribal Cuisine on the Food Map
Santhal Women Put Tribal Cuisine on the Food Map

By Manoj Choudhary

A group of rural women from Jharkhand run their catering business cooking tribal delicacies such as simjeel peetha, marhva laddu, hav chatni and rokoj to popularise their healthy cuisine and earn a living.

A group of rural women from Jharkhand run their catering business cooking tribal delicacies such as simjeel peetha, marhva laddu, hav chatni and rokoj to popularise their healthy cuisine and earn a living.

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