Maharashtra

In Maharashtra’s parched landscapes, former IRS officer Ujjwal Kumar Chavan initiated a transformative water conservation project. Inspired to combat drought, he constructed reservoirs and check dams, increasing water storage across 204 villages. His efforts boosted farmers’ incomes, rejuvenated rivers, and fostered community resilience, demonstrating the power of collective action.

A tiny village near Kolhapur is rewriting India’s rural future — with solar rooftops, pink homes for women, and innovations that show what collective will can truly achieve.

“Our mission is to augment — not replace — human policing,” says Harssh Poddar, SP Nagpur Rural and MARVEL’s CEO. Here is how this AI tool can analyse patterns humans might miss, enabling faster and more accurate decisions.

Abhay Todkar, a 44-year-old from drought-prone Dahiwadi village defied the odds of living with polio to lead a remarkable water conservation movement. His efforts have brought sustainable change to 64 villages, turning struggles into triumphs through determination and community-driven initiatives.

Mahesh Churi from Bordi, Maharashtra, a mechanical engineer, turned his love for chikoos into a Rs 1 crore venture. From failed experiments to launching 'Chikoo Parlour', his journey is empowering local farmers and women.

Parmeshwar Thorat from Beed, Maharashtra, turned the challenges of arid conditions and water scarcity into an opportunity by pioneering avocado farming. Despite the initial doubts and harsh environment, his innovative approach has transformed his 1.75-acre farm into a profitable venture, yielding 1,200 kg of avocados in 2023 and enabling him to sell saplings to other farmers.

A small-town teen with no access to proper courts or coaching has battled odds to join India’s junior squash team, showing how grit, family support, and hunger can create champions.

Saraswati Vidyalaya once battled annual floods, broken walls, and dwindling hope. Now, it stands tall on stilts, reborn through local wisdom, low-carbon design, and collective will. Here is how architects at unTAG Architecture and Interiors gave a school and a community a second chance.

World Bamboo Day: Meet Dr Lal Singh, the CSIR scientist using bamboo to revive fly ash–polluted lands, restore water, and transform livelihoods in Maharashtra villages.

Harsh Patil, from Nandurbar, Maharashtra, turned to innovative farming techniques after climate change affected his family's traditional crops. He started growing saffron using aeroponics in a small room, earning lakhs. He shares a step-by-step guide.