Livelihood

Women in rural as well as many urban parts of Rajasthan may not have much formal education, but the one skill they possess is sewing. With the help of an organization, many of these women now have the opportunity to put this skill to good use and generate additional household income. This is empowering them in ways unthinkable a few years ago, and changing the very fabric of their lives.

The wonderful tradition of village women gathering around a common oven to make rotis may have become a thing of the past in that state. But the 'sanjha chulha' (community kitchen) has been rekindled in the villages of the Shekhawati region of Rajasthan, albeit with a small modification. Keeping up with the changing times, instead of the earthen oven, it is the sanjha gas that the Shekhawati women are sharing today. There are many advantages of a sanjha gas facility.

Dharavi, one of the largest slums in the world, has managed to carve out a unique identity for itself. The industrious residents of the slum have taken to recycling waste from across the country in order to eke out a living. Now, a unique initiative is helping them capitalize on their expertise and move up the value chain. Let's take a look at what Dharavi Diary is doing.

Yoginder Sikand visits Asha Niketan in Bangalore - a home for the mentally challenged that is much more than an institution, being structured like a family unit where the members share love, joys and emotions with each other. He also meets Paul, the person who has held them together for more than twenty-five years, and has immense faith in his 'family'.

Dr. Verghese Kurien left us exactly one month ago. Known fondly by various names like the Milkman of India and Father of the White Revolution, he not only changed the lives of millions of dairy farmers in the nation but boosted the dairy industry to such an extent as to make India the largest milk-producer in the world. Let us pay tribute to the man who gave us so much, and to whom we never gave the Bharat Ratna. Let us read about him one more time - Lest we forget!

Jyotsna Sitling - India's first female tribal IFS officer is a force to reckon with. She changed the outlook of the Valley of Flowers and undertook several initiatives to ensure sustenance of environmental efforts