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A teacher’s crusade to make sign language the 23rd official language of India
A teacher’s crusade to make sign language the 23rd official language of India

By Anuradha Sharma

In West Bengal’s tea belt, a hearing impaired teacher is leading a silent crusade. Loknath Chhetri is creating opportunities for speech and hearing impaired children in remote villages at the Niswarth School for Deaf and Mute, the first English-medium school for the deaf in the Dooars region of North Bengal.

In West Bengal’s tea belt, a hearing impaired teacher is leading a silent crusade. Loknath Chhetri is creating opportunities for speech and hearing impaired children in remote villages at the Niswarth School for Deaf and Mute, the first English-medium school for the deaf in the Dooars region of North Bengal.

Auto sector's growth comes to a screeching halt
Auto sector's growth comes to a screeching halt

By Daya Sagar

The sale of every automobile from the tractor to the truck and 'Chota Hathi' to two-wheelers has plummeted due to the slump in the automobile sector. It has directly affected the large manufacturers of automobiles and small industries supplying them goods. In Jharkhand, 1,000 small companies and in Lucknow 100 companies are facing the slump. Thousands of workers with these companies are now unemployed

The sale of every automobile from the tractor to the truck and 'Chota Hathi' to two-wheelers has plummeted due to the slump in the automobile sector. It has directly affected the large manufacturers of automobiles and small industries supplying them goods. In Jharkhand, 1,000 small companies and in Lucknow 100 companies are facing the slump. Thousands of workers with these companies are now unemployed

"You are travelling alone. It's not safe. Don't trust anyone"
"You are travelling alone. It's not safe. Don't trust anyone"

By Pragya Bharti

You get many unsolicited advices if you are a girl and are travelling alone. And why not? Women safety is a delicate issue in our county. I too was a little apprehensive when we started from Chitrakoot on our bikes. But during the course of this journey we met so many beautiful people who went out of their way to help us, it changed our perception about women and solo trips.

You get many unsolicited advices if you are a girl and are travelling alone. And why not? Women safety is a delicate issue in our county. I too was a little apprehensive when we started from Chitrakoot on our bikes. But during the course of this journey we met so many beautiful people who went out of their way to help us, it changed our perception about women and solo trips.

Deoria, UP: Family shocked as Rajan Yadav — aged 30, father of 2 — collapsed & died on a leisurely Sunday afternoon
Deoria, UP: Family shocked as Rajan Yadav — aged 30, father of 2 — collapsed & died on a leisurely Sunday afternoon

By Brijendra Dubey

It’s not just in Uttar Pradesh’s Ballia where there has been a spate in deaths amidst heatwave conditions in the past week. In the neighbouring Deoria district, 48 deaths were reported between June 17-June 18 when the temperature surged to 45 degrees Celsius. One of these deaths was that of a 30-year-old father of two kids who was returning to his house after meeting his wife at his in-law’s place. Gaon Connection explores the circumstances in which the young man died.

It’s not just in Uttar Pradesh’s Ballia where there has been a spate in deaths amidst heatwave conditions in the past week. In the neighbouring Deoria district, 48 deaths were reported between June 17-June 18 when the temperature surged to 45 degrees Celsius. One of these deaths was that of a 30-year-old father of two kids who was returning to his house after meeting his wife at his in-law’s place. Gaon Connection explores the circumstances in which the young man died.

"Pepper spray was a waste; we should have packed more water bottles instead"
"Pepper spray was a waste; we should have packed more water bottles instead"

By Jigyasa Mishra

When we started packing for our trip, just to be on the safe side, we stuffed 'self-defence weapons' in our bags, but they were of no use.During the course of our journey, I realised how badly we have abused nature and natural resources -- water, in particular. Saving water is truly the need of the day

When we started packing for our trip, just to be on the safe side, we stuffed 'self-defence weapons' in our bags, but they were of no use.During the course of our journey, I realised how badly we have abused nature and natural resources -- water, in particular. Saving water is truly the need of the day

In the shadow of power in Nepal
In the shadow of power in Nepal

By Nidhi Jamwal

While power projects bring prosperity to the nation, people living in its shadow are often left behind when it comes to enjoying the benefits. Development projects must prioritise health and livelihoods of local populations. Development has to be ‘just’.

While power projects bring prosperity to the nation, people living in its shadow are often left behind when it comes to enjoying the benefits. Development projects must prioritise health and livelihoods of local populations. Development has to be ‘just’.

"Villagers are after my parents to get me married, but I want to complete my education"
"Villagers are after my parents to get me married, but I want to complete my education"

By Pragya Bharti

These women living in far-flung villages face challenges at every walk of their lives, but that has not stopped them from dreaming big. Their battles may not be life-altering ones, but they put up a brave fight, every single day. This trip gave us a chance to meet ordinary women living in Bundelkhand and their extraordinary tales.

These women living in far-flung villages face challenges at every walk of their lives, but that has not stopped them from dreaming big. Their battles may not be life-altering ones, but they put up a brave fight, every single day. This trip gave us a chance to meet ordinary women living in Bundelkhand and their extraordinary tales.

'Zindagi Se Yaari' promotes awareness on ill-effects of tobacco addiction
'Zindagi Se Yaari' promotes awareness on ill-effects of tobacco addiction

By Ankit Rathore

Using tobacco is an invitation to death – this was the message that was promoted at the day long youth festival held at Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh. Every year nearly 15 lakh young people lose their lives to cancer and other serious health disorders directly related to tobacco use.

Using tobacco is an invitation to death – this was the message that was promoted at the day long youth festival held at Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh. Every year nearly 15 lakh young people lose their lives to cancer and other serious health disorders directly related to tobacco use.

Making friends with rural India
Making friends with rural India

By Pankaja Srinivasan

For me, Gaon Connection has brought the invisible world into the light and I have learnt about the indomitable spirit of those who inhabit that world. As the year ends, I look back at some of the encounters I have had and will cherish forever.

For me, Gaon Connection has brought the invisible world into the light and I have learnt about the indomitable spirit of those who inhabit that world. As the year ends, I look back at some of the encounters I have had and will cherish forever.

An exciting joyride and a bagful of memories
An exciting joyride and a bagful of memories

By Jigyasa Mishra

Four districts, 20 villages, interesting rendezvous, some stumbling blocks and many, many stories – some shocking, some eye-opening, some heart-wrenching and some full of hope. The 500-km long trip across Bundelkhand on our bike was about women, their lives, hopes, struggles and aspirations

Four districts, 20 villages, interesting rendezvous, some stumbling blocks and many, many stories – some shocking, some eye-opening, some heart-wrenching and some full of hope. The 500-km long trip across Bundelkhand on our bike was about women, their lives, hopes, struggles and aspirations

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