Kusum Lodhi has been elected unopposed as the sarpanch of Sirsauda gram panchayat in Madhya Pradesh. She dropped out of school in class eight when she got married. But she completed her studies and is now pursuing a B.Ed with her daughter. Lodhi is determined to put the 'pink panchayat' on the path to progress.

Good news from the adivasi-dominated Panna district where Aramganj gram panchayat has elected a woman sarpanch and 17 women panchs as representatives for the rural administration. In order to felicitate the panchayat for its achievement, the state government will reward it with Rs 1,500,000 which will be utilised for the welfare of the rural residents. Details here.

The 'Ten Thousand Creators Project' is an endeavour to establish a market which connects rural creators with an audience which is interested in the authentic and rooted products crafted by them. The launch event of the project is about to commence in Chhattisgarh's Bastar and will be attended by the state chief minister Bhupesh Singh Baghel. The event will also involve the signing of an MoU with the Slow Products Pvt Ltd and the Bastar district administration.

With an aim to construct 50,000 ponds for conserving water by August 15, 2023, Mission Amrit Sarovar not only seeks to boost water security in the country but millions of rural residents are also finding a livelihood opportunity in the construction of these ponds. Uttar Pradesh has a target of constructing 11,638 such ponds. Read on to know more.

This Bill states that all the families of the state, urban and rural, will get guaranteed employment of 125 days every year. The old aged, disabled, single women and widows will receive a minimum pension of Rs 1,000 per month. The state is slated to go to assembly polls later this year.

From the past few days, it was rumoured that the administration is to initiate a probe into the personal assets and workings of the gram pradhans. The news created a massive stir. However, the state rural development gave a clean chit to them and said there shan't be any scrutiny

Owing to the sheer abundance of its presence in Indian kitchens, the humble-looking bottle gourd is seldom taken seriously. However, the vegetable known for its bland gustatory appeal, is a vital source of livelihood for the tribal Tumba artists in Odisha. They make intricate decorative products by drying, carving and painting these vegetables.

As part of its 'Paani Yatra' series, Gaon Connection recently published a ground report highlighting the plight of Lahuria Deh village that is completely dependent on water tankers for the past 20 years. Each villager was allowed only 15 litres of water a day for all their water needs. This limit has now been quashed and additional water tankers have been pressed into service.

Protesting against the insufficient allocation of funds for the rural employment guarantee scheme, as many as 500 daily wage workers from 15 states have gathered at Delhi's Jantar Mantar. The protesters also demand an increase in the number of working days in the wake of diminishing employment opportunities and rising inflation. Details here.

The Indian government’s Janani Suraksha Yojana provides one-time cash assistance of Rs 1,400 to rural pregnant women and Rs 1,000 to expectant women in urban areas in order to cater to needs post delivery care. How to avail the scheme? Who is eligible for it? What are the required documents? Here’s all you need to know.