-
Dec 11, 2024 | 
villagesquare.in | Aatreyee Dhar |Saswatik Tripathy |Kartik Chandra Prusty |Novita Singh
India, and the wider Indian subcontinent, is famous among mountaineers for the Himalayan peaks that are considered to be among the highest in the world. However, lesser-known hill stations tend to be overlooked. This International Mountain Day, Village Square curates a list of such unconventional mountain getaways that give adrenaline junkies the rush of conquering a peak outside Himalayan country.
-
Dec 10, 2024 | 
villagesquare.in | Aatreyee Dhar |Saswatik Tripathy |Kartik Chandra Prusty |Novita Singh
Betsida Marak, the manager of the world’s largest gibbon rescue initiative at the Sonja Wildlife Rescue Centre in Meghalaya’s Garo hills, is committed to protecting the western hoolock gibbons. It is a species of primates found in its highest density in this region, with about 500 of them at last count. The rescue centre, which was started in 2009 by Florian Magne, a French conservationist, caters to 10 hoolock gibbons that have been rescued from either poaching, domestication or injury.
-
Dec 9, 2024 | 
villagesquare.in | Saswatik Tripathy |Kartik Chandra Prusty |Novita Singh |Atiqur Rahman
The village of Jaladihi in Odisha’s Keonjhar district, is nestled in the heart of a lush forest, its undulating topography a testament to nature’s artistry. For generations, the people of this remote hamlet lived in harmony with their surroundings, till modernisation shattered its idyllic existence. Rain-fed agriculture and forest produce were the lifeblood of Jaladihi, sustaining its inhabitants through countless seasons.
-
Oct 11, 2024 | 
villagesquare.in | Shreya Pareek |Mamali Sahoo |Biswabijayini Mohanty |Kartik Chandra Prusty
Her presence radiates warmth and charisma, captivating all who cross her path. Meet Munni Padiyar Bisht, a 54-year-old with an infectious smile, luminous eyes and a distinctive red bindi gracing her forehead. Behind her unpretentious facade lies an epical tale of transformation, and the embodiment of an extraordinary character — Ravan, the demon king from the Ramayana.
-
Oct 9, 2024 | 
villagesquare.in | Biswabijayini Mohanty |Kartik Chandra Prusty |Sudip Maiti
In the heart of Odisha, nestled among the hills and forests of Talachampei gram panchayat in Kendujhar district, lies the small village of Kantakoli. It’s home to around 80 families of the Juanga community that the government has classified as a particularly vulnerable tribal group (PVTG). This settlement has long been a testament to the resilience of its people.
-
Oct 1, 2024 | 
villagesquare.in | Krupa Gandhi |Mamali Sahoo |Biswabijayini Mohanty |Kartik Chandra Prusty
Mental health is a major concern worldwide. Globally, one in eight people lives with mental health conditions. An epidemiological study by World Health Organization (WHO) has revealed a substantial disparity in care availability: for every 1,00,000 people, global availability of mental health practitioners is just nine; in low-income nations it’s less than one. India is not far behind.
-
May 20, 2024 | 
villagesquare.in | Anisha Roy |Saswatik Tripathy |Kartik Chandra Prusty
Bees are indispensable to the ecosystem due to their role as primary pollinators. In recent years, bee populations across the world have been declining at an alarming rate. This declining bee population poses a severe threat to the health of ecosystems and the global food supply, necessitating urgent measures. A decline in bee population can severely impact food security since approximately 75 percent of the world’s food crops depend on pollination.
-
May 20, 2024 | 
villagesquare.in | Anisha Roy |Saswatik Tripathy |Kartik Chandra Prusty
Honey is often called liquid gold for its rich sweetness and antibacterial properties. It never spoils and it is speculated that it has numerous health benefits such as increasing adiponectin levels, a hormone that reduces inflammation and improves blood sugar regulation. Due to its widespread use as an alternative to sugar, honey is used in several Indian dishes, desserts and drinks. Village Square brings to you 5 must-try recipes made using honey to enjoy during the summer.
-
May 20, 2024 | 
villagesquare.in | Saswatik Tripathy |Kartik Chandra Prusty
The crackle of flames and the billowing smoke are all too familiar sights during the dry season in many parts of India. Forest fires, often sparked by human activity, continue to ravage precious ecosystems, threatening both wildlife and local livelihoods. However, amid this grim reality, there is a glimmer of hope – stories of communities coming together to safeguard the forests they depend on.
-
Jan 25, 2024 | 
villagesquare.in | Akila Muthukumar |Pallavi Srivastava |Saswatik Tripathy |Kartik Chandra Prusty
I wake up at 7am, to the repeated calls for Akila akka (sister). I quickly untuck my mosquito net from under the edges of my mattress, and climb down the rungs of my bunk bed. I’m at Sristi Village, a non-profit organisation located in Konamangalam, a small village in Tamil Nadu. I go outside to greet the energetic youth who live at Sristi – the ones that called out my name to wake me up. Sristi is home to over 50 youth, aged 18 to 35 years. All of them have some kind of intellectual disability.
