हिन्दी ગુજરાતી മലയാളം मराठी
Voices of Rural India

A curated platform for rural storytellers

Voices of Rural India
  • Home
  • About
    • The Initiative
    • The Team
    • Our Partners
    • Our Volunteers
  • Stories
    • States
      • Gujarat
      • Himachal Pradesh
      • Kerala
      • Ladakh
      • Maharashtra
      • Meghalaya
      • Uttarakhand
    • Languages
      • Hindi
        • Written (Hindi)
        • Audio (Hindi)
      • Dangi
      • Gujarati
      • Marathi
      • Malayalam
  • Get involved
    • Partner
    • Volunteer
    • Contribute
  • Contact
  • Media
  • Contribute
  • Home
  • About
    • The Initiative
    • The Team
    • Our Partners
    • Our Volunteers
  • Stories
    • States
      • Gujarat
      • Himachal Pradesh
      • Kerala
      • Ladakh
      • Maharashtra
      • Meghalaya
      • Uttarakhand
    • Languages
      • Hindi
        • Written (Hindi)
        • Audio (Hindi)
      • Dangi
      • Gujarati
      • Marathi
      • Malayalam
  • Get involved
    • Partner
    • Volunteer
    • Contribute
  • Contact
  • Media
  • Contribute

  • The Legend of a British Runaway in a Remote Uttarakhand Valley

    July 5, 2021 /

    A zoology student from Mukhwa village sheds light on the fascinating life of “Pahari Wilson,” who both plundered her valley and created the livelihoods that flourish to this day.

    Go to story
    Divya Nautiyal

  • How a Remote Ladakhi Valley Transformed from Hunting to Conserving Wildlife

    October 25, 2020 /

    A social activist from Ladakh shares the story of Markha Valley’s incredible transformation into a place where humans and wildlife coexist in peace; where one might just spot a snow leopard from a rooftop!

    Go to story
    Sonam Nurboo

  • Tigers, Peacocks and Forests on Fire

    October 18, 2020 /

    Have you ever witnessed a hunt in the high Himalayan meadows? A rare pageantry of peacocks in the forest? Here’s a heartfelt ode to Nature (and a plea) from a girl who knows what’s truly great about the Great Himalayan National Park!

    Go to story
    Soniya Thakur

  • An Invisible Paradise in Spiti

    October 9, 2020 /

    An ancient monastery and a high altitude village lie atop a mountain in Spiti Valley – but only those with spiritual powers can see them

    Go to story
    Chhering Norbu

  • How One Man’s Conviction Put Jibhi Valley on the World Tourism Map

    October 6, 2020 /

    An ex-army man’s inspiring and amusing journey of grit, passion and dedication to introduce Jibhi Valley to tourism

    Go to story
    Bhagwan Singh Rana

  • One Ladakhi Girl’s Journey from Darkness to Light

    October 3, 2020 /
    black and clear LED bulb with bokeh lights

    What does it take for a young girl in a remote village in Ladakh’s Markha Valley to make the journey from darkness to light?

    Go to story
    Gurmet Angmo

  • Sharing Land and Life with Wild Bears

    September 26, 2020 /

    An apple farmer from Pekhri village in Tirthan Valley recounts his family’s encounters with wild black bears – at a time when their crops were all they had

    Go to story
    Pratap Singh Chauhan

  • A 1000 Year Old Monastery That Was Built Overnight

    September 23, 2020 /

    A resident of Sumda Chenmo village in Ladakh’s Markha region writes about the revered Sumda Chun Monastery – believed to be built in one single night

    Go to story
    Tsering Dorjey

  • The Himalayan Superfoods of Yore

    September 20, 2020 /
    green wheat in close up photography

    An 70+ year old Himachali couple from Tirthan Valley recount their organic, seasonal, farm-to-table way of life – and how food has changed in their lifetime

    Go to story
    Premlata Devi and Padam Singh

  • Phugtal Monastery: The 2500 Year Old Cave of Liberation

    September 8, 2020 /

    In Ladakh’s Zanskar Valley, a 3-hour trek and a hanging wooden bridge leads to Phugtal Monastery, built around an ancient cave.

    Go to story
    Tenzin Choejor
12
  voices of rural india logo  

Voices of Rural India is a not-for-profit initiative that aims to revolutionize storytelling. For perhaps the first time, we bring you curated stories of rural India… in rural voices.

We hope to turn the unprecedented Covid-19 crisis into an opportunity to upgrade digital skills and create alternate livelihoods among rural communities, while building a repository of knowledge and traditions that are slowly fading away.

Read more about us

Follow Us

Join the family!

Each time you read, comment and share a story on Voices of Rural India, it encourages someone far away to work on their craft.

Join 222 other subscribers

INSTAGRAM

What ails Kerala’s Vembanad Lake today? Overfish What ails Kerala’s Vembanad Lake today? Overfishing, construction of salt barriers, excessive pesticide usage, and industrial waste, to name a few! What will it take to save it? Traditional ecological knowledge and localised fishing solutions, says our storyteller KM Poovu. “To prevent the problems associated with overfishing, we started building fish sanctuaries by using the traditional paddal system – using bamboo fencing and branches of cashew and mango trees. These sanctuaries were declared no-fishing zones to help fish breed and LPF (Lake Protection Forum) members took turns to keep vigil. We have been able to raise funds and establish 30 fish sanctuaries. The evaluation of these sanctuaries by fishery experts has shown an increase in the fish stocks, especially pearl spot, clams and other small fish. We have also managed to get government participation in the effort – the government has now established 14 fish sanctuaries over an area of two hectares. In addition, five Panchayats manage five sanctuaries," explains KM Poovu. Through his story, discover untold narratives about Kerala’s #vembanadlake and a fishing community dedicated to keeping it alive! Head on over to our bio link to watch video snippets in Malayalam or read in English. #voicesofruralindia #kerala #ruralindia #indiaclicks
Pushpa was born to a shepherd's family that once t Pushpa was born to a shepherd's family that once travelled with their herd across the high-altitude alpine meadows in Uttarakhand. Mostly quiet and always wearing the warmest smile, Pushpa comes into her own when working as a high altitude and culture guide. She is the happiest out in nature! She sometimes confides that had she been a man, she would have wandered the high mountains with her father! Her story for #voicesofruralindia is a beautiful account of how the women in Sarmoli village came together to revive the dried-out Mesar Kund – a reservoir they were once forbidden to visit. She writes, “Until recently, it was absolutely forbidden for menstruating women to go to the Mesar Reservoir, or even cross Mesar Rouli flowing from it. But when a woman was elected the sarpanch of the Sarmoli-Jainti Van Panchayat in 2003, the women of the village came together to discuss amongst ourselves if we could take on the task of reviving the dried-out reservoir. If we women took up this work, will we be going against the traditional beliefs, and will that lead to a disaster? But why would Mesar Devta be angry with us if we were only saving the source of water and maintaining the site of the Devta? Why would Mesar Devta consider it bad to revive that reservoir? After all, Mesar Devta had fallen in love with two women. (This is the belief).” Intrigued? Read the complete story through our bio link and show some love for Pushpa in the comments! 😊
*NEW* Some years ago, Maharashtra's Purushwadi vil *NEW* Some years ago, Maharashtra's Purushwadi village suffered acute water shortage. Farmlands were parched beyond repair. People walked for hours under the blazing sun - often in bloodied feet - to take animals down to the river. Women and children undertook the backbreaking task of collecting water every day. One day, a boy named Atmaram spotted a crab resting by a water hole on the Kurkundi river. He was amazed to find that the water hole was a living spring. And the rest, is history! Mahadu @mahadu.kondar.23 , a teacher and guide in Purushwadi tells the story of a resilient community banding together to solve the village's water crisis. Their efforts paved the way for sustainable community projects on water and soil conservation - not just for humans but for livestock, industry, animals, and birds as well! Visit our bio link or voicesofruralindia.org for this inspiring read in Marathi/English 💚 Supported by: @grassroutes
Everyone remembers foods that defined their childh Everyone remembers foods that defined their childhood 💚 For our storyteller, Balu @b_bhangare , wild tomatoes that once grew abundantly in rural Maharashtra evoke memories of simpler times. "When I was in class seven or eight, my friends Maruti, Tanaji, Kalu, and I would plan forest picnics on the Mula River during our Diwali holidays. We would forage for ran tambate – wild tomatoes to make khichdi rice. Each of us would pick the wild tomatoes, as many fit into our small hands, and carry them along to put in the khichdi rice... Wild tomatoes also have medicinal value. It is believed that when someone falls sick and loses their appetite, a ripe wild tomato topped with salt can help revive his sense of taste. When a person catches fever, the juice of the wild tomato helps reduce the body temperature. It also works as a digestive and mouth freshener! Over time, these tomatoes which grow naturally in the wild and are smaller in size than the tomatoes found in the market, have become rarer to find," Balu writes. In 'A wild fruit on the brink of extinction,' Balu revisits fond childhood memories of relishing ran tambate, and explains why it has been fast disappearing. Read through our bio link or visit voicesofruralindia.org. Do leave your thoughts for Balu in the comments! And you? Do you still eat the foods you loved growing up? 😊
Divya @divyan_07 loves the natural world. It's har Divya @divyan_07 loves the natural world. It's hard not to when the scenic mountains of Uttarakhand have always been home. She was born in Mukhwa and grew up in Matli village. She's currently pursuing a bachelor's degree in Zoology from Annamalai University and works at a medical clinic in Matli. Divya enjoys reading, writing, or adventuring in the hills during her free time. She writes, "When the floods devastated Uttarakhand in 2013, all access to the Upper Taknore valley was cut off... Along with my family, I was stuck in Mukhwa, an interior village high up in the Garhwal Himalayas, where I was born and spent most of my summer vacations. With no electricity, no internet, and no mode of communication with the world outside, this was a great time for stories and my nani (grandmother) and mama (uncle) always had a new tale to share with us! The stories of ‘Hulseyn’ or ‘Pahari Wilson’ were particularly intriguing to me. More than a century ago, this British runaway ventured into the Garhwal region without any kind of aid and left behind a legacy that still lives on today!" History, intrigue, and the tenuous relationship between economy and ecology - Divya's fabulous story for #voicesofruralindia packs in so much. Link in bio!
"“Huali Huali waage nikhal ghar maalika khole aa "“Huali Huali waage nikhal ghar maalika khole aayee Horini, Horini ae gae!” “Come out of your homes! There’s a deer dancing at your door!” The Kullu region in Himachal Pradesh comes alive with these words and the beats of drums – dhol and nagada – as children roam about the mountain villages, loudly singing songs, like this one, in full gusto to celebrate their favorite event – Haran. A part of the famous week-long Kullu Dussehra festival that symbolizes victory of good over evil, Haran is primarily an event celebrated by Himachali kids. The pure joy of it however, manages to draw participation from the elders too! Everyone in the village loves and looks forward to Haran. It feels as if an immensely entertaining play is being enacted for you. I hope this long passed-down tradition, that has survived many generations in my village, will continue to brighten up our lives every year with drum beats and the dancing deer," writes Kanika Mehta. Kanika's evocative story on a beloved children's festival in her village is all kinds of pure joy! 😊 Read in Hindi/English or hear audio snippets. Link in bio or visit voicesofruralindia.org
*NEW* In the mountains of Uttarakhand, the women o *NEW* In the mountains of Uttarakhand, the women of Sarmoli village come together to revive the dried-out Mesar Kund - a reservoir they were once forbidden to visit. Pushpa Sumtiyal shines a spotlight on the legend of Mesar Kund. The story goes back to the age of Satyug when the devta fell in love with two women. Several lifetimes later, it’s the women of the village who are once again (and almost poetically) at the fore! Read on voicesofruralindia.org to discover their incredible efforts at reviving the pond, despite established community beliefs and deeply entrenched gender prejudices. Supported by: @voicesofmunsiari, Himalayan Ark
Arjun @arjun_yemceee is a graduate in History, and Arjun @arjun_yemceee is a graduate in History, and loves learning about different countries and cultures. He leads academic tours and village walks for guests from around the world in Wayanad district's Mothakkara village. Travellers love his storytelling skills and patience. Arjun also enjoys reading, gardening, farming, driving, and repairing gadgets. "I had no desire to study in an English medium school or to go abroad for higher studies. I completed my studies right in my native place in a government school and college. I never let go of an opportunity to connect with people here. Each person I connected with taught me some lesson in life and I regarded each individual as being equal to a library," he writes. In ''No Place Like Home," Arjun pens a beautiful ode to his village Mothakkara and its people. From lessons on gender equality and celebrating diversity to traditional wisdom and living in harmony with nature - Arjun learnt it all in Mothakarra and continues planting roots here 💚 Have you read his heartwarming story? Head on over to our bio link to read in Malayalam/English.
Join us on Instagram

@voicesofruralindia

What ails Kerala’s Vembanad Lake today? Overfish What ails Kerala’s Vembanad Lake today? Overfishing, construction of salt barriers, excessive pesticide usage, and industrial waste, to name a few! What will it take to save it? Traditional ecological knowledge and localised fishing solutions, says our storyteller KM Poovu. “To prevent the problems associated with overfishing, we started building fish sanctuaries by using the traditional paddal system – using bamboo fencing and branches of cashew and mango trees. These sanctuaries were declared no-fishing zones to help fish breed and LPF (Lake Protection Forum) members took turns to keep vigil. We have been able to raise funds and establish 30 fish sanctuaries. The evaluation of these sanctuaries by fishery experts has shown an increase in the fish stocks, especially pearl spot, clams and other small fish. We have also managed to get government participation in the effort – the government has now established 14 fish sanctuaries over an area of two hectares. In addition, five Panchayats manage five sanctuaries," explains KM Poovu. Through his story, discover untold narratives about Kerala’s #vembanadlake and a fishing community dedicated to keeping it alive! Head on over to our bio link to watch video snippets in Malayalam or read in English. #voicesofruralindia #kerala #ruralindia #indiaclicks
Pushpa was born to a shepherd's family that once t Pushpa was born to a shepherd's family that once travelled with their herd across the high-altitude alpine meadows in Uttarakhand. Mostly quiet and always wearing the warmest smile, Pushpa comes into her own when working as a high altitude and culture guide. She is the happiest out in nature! She sometimes confides that had she been a man, she would have wandered the high mountains with her father! Her story for #voicesofruralindia is a beautiful account of how the women in Sarmoli village came together to revive the dried-out Mesar Kund – a reservoir they were once forbidden to visit. She writes, “Until recently, it was absolutely forbidden for menstruating women to go to the Mesar Reservoir, or even cross Mesar Rouli flowing from it. But when a woman was elected the sarpanch of the Sarmoli-Jainti Van Panchayat in 2003, the women of the village came together to discuss amongst ourselves if we could take on the task of reviving the dried-out reservoir. If we women took up this work, will we be going against the traditional beliefs, and will that lead to a disaster? But why would Mesar Devta be angry with us if we were only saving the source of water and maintaining the site of the Devta? Why would Mesar Devta consider it bad to revive that reservoir? After all, Mesar Devta had fallen in love with two women. (This is the belief).” Intrigued? Read the complete story through our bio link and show some love for Pushpa in the comments! 😊
*NEW* Some years ago, Maharashtra's Purushwadi vil *NEW* Some years ago, Maharashtra's Purushwadi village suffered acute water shortage. Farmlands were parched beyond repair. People walked for hours under the blazing sun - often in bloodied feet - to take animals down to the river. Women and children undertook the backbreaking task of collecting water every day. One day, a boy named Atmaram spotted a crab resting by a water hole on the Kurkundi river. He was amazed to find that the water hole was a living spring. And the rest, is history! Mahadu @mahadu.kondar.23 , a teacher and guide in Purushwadi tells the story of a resilient community banding together to solve the village's water crisis. Their efforts paved the way for sustainable community projects on water and soil conservation - not just for humans but for livestock, industry, animals, and birds as well! Visit our bio link or voicesofruralindia.org for this inspiring read in Marathi/English 💚 Supported by: @grassroutes
Everyone remembers foods that defined their childh Everyone remembers foods that defined their childhood 💚 For our storyteller, Balu @b_bhangare , wild tomatoes that once grew abundantly in rural Maharashtra evoke memories of simpler times. "When I was in class seven or eight, my friends Maruti, Tanaji, Kalu, and I would plan forest picnics on the Mula River during our Diwali holidays. We would forage for ran tambate – wild tomatoes to make khichdi rice. Each of us would pick the wild tomatoes, as many fit into our small hands, and carry them along to put in the khichdi rice... Wild tomatoes also have medicinal value. It is believed that when someone falls sick and loses their appetite, a ripe wild tomato topped with salt can help revive his sense of taste. When a person catches fever, the juice of the wild tomato helps reduce the body temperature. It also works as a digestive and mouth freshener! Over time, these tomatoes which grow naturally in the wild and are smaller in size than the tomatoes found in the market, have become rarer to find," Balu writes. In 'A wild fruit on the brink of extinction,' Balu revisits fond childhood memories of relishing ran tambate, and explains why it has been fast disappearing. Read through our bio link or visit voicesofruralindia.org. Do leave your thoughts for Balu in the comments! And you? Do you still eat the foods you loved growing up? 😊
Divya @divyan_07 loves the natural world. It's har Divya @divyan_07 loves the natural world. It's hard not to when the scenic mountains of Uttarakhand have always been home. She was born in Mukhwa and grew up in Matli village. She's currently pursuing a bachelor's degree in Zoology from Annamalai University and works at a medical clinic in Matli. Divya enjoys reading, writing, or adventuring in the hills during her free time. She writes, "When the floods devastated Uttarakhand in 2013, all access to the Upper Taknore valley was cut off... Along with my family, I was stuck in Mukhwa, an interior village high up in the Garhwal Himalayas, where I was born and spent most of my summer vacations. With no electricity, no internet, and no mode of communication with the world outside, this was a great time for stories and my nani (grandmother) and mama (uncle) always had a new tale to share with us! The stories of ‘Hulseyn’ or ‘Pahari Wilson’ were particularly intriguing to me. More than a century ago, this British runaway ventured into the Garhwal region without any kind of aid and left behind a legacy that still lives on today!" History, intrigue, and the tenuous relationship between economy and ecology - Divya's fabulous story for #voicesofruralindia packs in so much. Link in bio!
"“Huali Huali waage nikhal ghar maalika khole aa "“Huali Huali waage nikhal ghar maalika khole aayee Horini, Horini ae gae!” “Come out of your homes! There’s a deer dancing at your door!” The Kullu region in Himachal Pradesh comes alive with these words and the beats of drums – dhol and nagada – as children roam about the mountain villages, loudly singing songs, like this one, in full gusto to celebrate their favorite event – Haran. A part of the famous week-long Kullu Dussehra festival that symbolizes victory of good over evil, Haran is primarily an event celebrated by Himachali kids. The pure joy of it however, manages to draw participation from the elders too! Everyone in the village loves and looks forward to Haran. It feels as if an immensely entertaining play is being enacted for you. I hope this long passed-down tradition, that has survived many generations in my village, will continue to brighten up our lives every year with drum beats and the dancing deer," writes Kanika Mehta. Kanika's evocative story on a beloved children's festival in her village is all kinds of pure joy! 😊 Read in Hindi/English or hear audio snippets. Link in bio or visit voicesofruralindia.org
*NEW* In the mountains of Uttarakhand, the women o *NEW* In the mountains of Uttarakhand, the women of Sarmoli village come together to revive the dried-out Mesar Kund - a reservoir they were once forbidden to visit. Pushpa Sumtiyal shines a spotlight on the legend of Mesar Kund. The story goes back to the age of Satyug when the devta fell in love with two women. Several lifetimes later, it’s the women of the village who are once again (and almost poetically) at the fore! Read on voicesofruralindia.org to discover their incredible efforts at reviving the pond, despite established community beliefs and deeply entrenched gender prejudices. Supported by: @voicesofmunsiari, Himalayan Ark
Arjun @arjun_yemceee is a graduate in History, and Arjun @arjun_yemceee is a graduate in History, and loves learning about different countries and cultures. He leads academic tours and village walks for guests from around the world in Wayanad district's Mothakkara village. Travellers love his storytelling skills and patience. Arjun also enjoys reading, gardening, farming, driving, and repairing gadgets. "I had no desire to study in an English medium school or to go abroad for higher studies. I completed my studies right in my native place in a government school and college. I never let go of an opportunity to connect with people here. Each person I connected with taught me some lesson in life and I regarded each individual as being equal to a library," he writes. In ''No Place Like Home," Arjun pens a beautiful ode to his village Mothakkara and its people. From lessons on gender equality and celebrating diversity to traditional wisdom and living in harmony with nature - Arjun learnt it all in Mothakarra and continues planting roots here 💚 Have you read his heartwarming story? Head on over to our bio link to read in Malayalam/English.
Join us on Instagram

Join the family!

Each time you read, comment and share a story on Voices of Rural India, it encourages someone far away to work on their craft.

Join 222 other subscribers

Join our community

Join our Facebook community

Support us

Contribute to support our storytellers
Cover image: Abhijit Kar Gupta with permission. © All content on this site is copyrighted and cannot be used without explicit permission.