Mukesh Kandpal

Aug 16, 2024 | villagesquare.in | Shreya Pareek |Mukesh Kandpal |Aditi Rana

When Girish Jeena, from the Himalayan village of Bhikiyasain in Uttarakhand’s Almora district, began writing songs and poems as a hobby, he never imagined his work would one day captivate international audiences. The 32-year-old, who works as an office administrator at Jim Corbett National Park, has always had a passion for songwriting.

Aug 15, 2024 | villagesquare.in | Mukesh Kandpal |Aditi Rana |Devashish Biswal

From old buildings to vacant grounds, our freedom fighters plotted long and hard in several important locations across the country to overthrow British rule. Rebellions, strategic meetings and clashes played out galore before India gained a hard-won Independence. As we celebrate the 78th Independence Day today, we take a look at some of these places that were key to our success in attaining freedom. How do they stand today?

Aug 14, 2024 | villagesquare.in | Mukesh Kandpal |Aditi Rana |Devashish Biswal |Unnati Sharma

The story of the Tharu people in the terai region of Uttarakhand, once known as the ‘Tharuaat’, is a tale of resilience, cultural richness and the power of community. The Tharu tribe thrived in harmony with nature, weaving their traditions into the very fabric of their existence. In the heart of the lush forests, the Tharu people lived a life intertwined with the rhythms of the land.

Jun 25, 2024 | villagesquare.in | Saurav Kumar |Shreekant Sahoo |Mukesh Kandpal |Atray Karmahe

Sukma district, located in the southernmost region of Chhattisgarh, is enveloped by semi-tropical forests on the Bastar plateau. It’s primarily inhabited by indigenous tribal communities living in remote settlements. Geographic isolation, combined with decades of conflict between security forces and left-wing extremists, has perpetuated a cycle of poverty, lack of access to basic services and vulnerability to radicalisation among the local population.

Jun 25, 2024 | villagesquare.in | Shreekant Sahoo |Mukesh Kandpal |Pallavi Srivastava

Thai Tom Yum Soup, Vietnamese traditional noodle soup Pho, and Indonesian skewered meat satay — these three popular dishes from southeast Asia are unfamiliar to Rajeshwar Meleka, a tribal farmer in Odisha’s Koraput district. However, the staple ingredient that gives these dishes their zesty note is something he grows: lemongrass. Lemongrass is a fragrant herb native to tropical regions of Asia, known for its citrusy aroma and distinct flavour.