Uttar Pradesh

The gharial is endemic to the Indian subcontinent. Since the late 1970s, efforts have been on in the country to conserve and rehabilitate this critically endangered fish-eating crocodile.

Have you ever experienced the fragrance of sun-baked earth when the first few drops of rain fall on it? Indian perfumers of this town have perfected the art of capturing this exquisite smell.

Railway stations across India are not just being cleaned up but are getting some fabulous makeovers too. Walls are painted in vibrant colours, entrance arches festooned with decorative motifs, and nooks and corners made green with evergreen plants. Aligarh railway station is the new addition to this list.

Almost 1,400 traffickers have had cases filed against them and many are rotting in jail, thanks to Ajeet Singh who has been waging a war to free minor girls from their clutches. Read how he broke the complex system of sexual exploitation in Varanasi.

This is the extraordinary story of three young girls and their never-say-die spirit, which has changed the education scenario in a small village near Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh. They faced apathy, taunts and humiliation in their battle against ignorance and deep conservatism. Thanks to their efforts, 90% of the children in their village attend school today.

A Non-Resident Indian (NRI) made his way back to India to work on the issue of girls’ education in rural Uttar Pradesh. His interesting initiative has girls getting Rs 10 for every day of school attendance and even a toilet at home if the attendance exceeds 70%. But the biggest reward is watching the young women get empowered to work and become independent.

In the village of Madhopatti in Uttar Pradesh, there are only 75 households — and 47 IAS officers! Read more about this fascinating village here.

A mysteriously-disappearing water stream? Check! Include some fascinating legends, and you have a reason to visit these caves in Chitrakoot soon. Here is more about the Gupt Godavari caves in Uttar Pradesh.

Pushpa Singh, a 26-year-old girl from a small village in Uttar Pradesh, has been physically disabled since birth. Today, she has been elected to the Block Development Council (BDC) in her area. This is her story.

Watch how Gorapkhpur district in Uttar Pradesh is at the forefront of creating a climate resilient future for its citizens. They are prepared to face the floods that hit the area year after year. There are lessons here for the rest of India, indeed, the rest of the world, to follow.