Voices of Rural India

A curated platform for rural storytellers

Voices of Rural India
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  • 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
  • Contribute

  • Why This Hill Festival Features Clothes of Grass and a Stream of Abuses

    August 30, 2020 /

    During Faguli festival, the people of Tirthan Valley wear grass skirts and provoke bad spirits through dance, song and a stream of expletives!

    Go to story
    Neha Mehta

  • The Hanging Lifeline of Zanskar

    August 24, 2020 /

    Centuries-old hanging wooden bridges connect the most remote villages of Ladakh’s Zanskar Valley – but only 5 remain to this day.

    Go to story
    Shakeer Hussain

  • On Fear, Patience and Insignificance

    August 21, 2020 /

    A guide from Tirthan Valley looks back at his mountain treks and wildlife encounters with nostalgia, humility and a tinge of humor.

    Go to story
    Sanju Negi

  • Letters from the Bronze Age

    August 18, 2020 /

    A postman from Ladakh's Zanskar region shares his fascination with its ancient treasure – petroglyphs dating back thousands of years.

    Go to story
    Tenzin Choejor

  • Reaching for the Stars, Literally

    August 13, 2020 /

    How a budding young astronomy enthusiast from a remote Ladakhi village is smashing gender stereotypes.

    Go to story
    Stanzin Dolkar

  • In the Cold Himalayan Winter, a Celebration to Warm the Heart

    August 7, 2020 /

    The mountain villages of Himachal Pradesh celebrate a month of food and togetherness during Magh Mahina

    Go to story
    Soniya Thakur
12
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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.

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

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We know the Vembanad Lake – those blue waters of We know the Vembanad Lake – those blue waters of everyone’s Kerala houseboat dreams. Did you know there’s a fishing community dedicated to keep the lake's ecosystem from dying? Our storyteller, K.M. Poovu belongs to this incredible community. He writes, “How did the fish population decline? There are many factors that contributed to the impoverishment of the Vembanad Lake ecosystem. One of the major factors was the construction of Thanneermukkom Bund (Thannermukkom Salt Water Barrier) in 1975 across the Vembanad Lake, to prevent flow of salt water from the tidal waves of the Arabian Sea into the low lands of the Kuttanad region - helping paddy cultivation that needs fresh water. This barrier divided the 36000 hectares lake into two parts – the northern part with salty water all through the year and southern half with fresh water from rivers. Before the barrier was commissioned, 429 tons of prawns were obtained from the lake as per the government records. A year later, prawns obtained from the lake reduced by 27 tons. Studies revealed that this decline was a result of reduced salinity in water in the southern part of the lake. Prawns need salty water for breeding. Same was the case with clams. A clam lays about 5 lakhs eggs, but salty water is needed to facilitate hatching of those eggs.” Read the full story in Malayalam/English at voicesofruralindia.org. and discover the incredible work being done to revive the lake. The story is also part of Outlook Traveller's July issue dedicated entirely to stories from Voices of Rural India. Have you got yourself a copy yet? 😊
*NEW* @arjun_yemceee , a 23-year-old guide and sto *NEW* @arjun_yemceee , a 23-year-old guide and storyteller from the Mothakkara village in Kerala, describes how childhood experiences influenced his decision to stay on and work in his village, instead of chasing opportunities elsewhere. He writes, "I love my native region – Wayanad. This place is very dear to me. It has given me lessons that have shaped up my life. From my childhood experiences of staying close to the Kurichiya community, I learnt to value traditional wisdom and the importance of staying in harmony with nature. My school and college life taught me the important lessons of equality. Festivals, such as Thira Mahotsavam organized by the Kurichiya community and attended by people regardless of their religion and caste, are unique to Mothakkara and they instill a strong sense of community among the people of the village. Even though many of my classmates and friends have chosen to live and study outside Kerala and abroad, I have never been attracted to other places. My love for my birthplace has made me choose it and its people over a rewarding career anywhere outside and I’ve never regretted my choice... Working abroad might get me good money, but I doubt it would give me the same sense of satisfaction, contentment and peace that I get in this village." Read this beautiful story in Malayalam/English on voicesofruralindia.org. And do remember to share your thoughts with Arjun in the comments below 😊 Supported by: @kabanitour
We promised you a surprise, and here it finally is We promised you a surprise, and here it finally is! Beyond excited to share that @outlooktraveller 's July issue is entirely dedicated to stories from Voices of Rural India! This gorgeous collectors’ special is out on stands already, so go get yourself a copy now 😊 The journey of @voicesofruralindia began during the 2020 lockdown when we asked ourselves a question. How can we give back to the very people we travel to meet? Guides, homestay hosts, women, and children – the myriad incredible people who make our travels memorable. Anyone with a passion for travel to India’s villages knows exactly how transformative it can be. We're a platform driven purely by the talent, passion, and creativity of storytellers in rural India. Where people can tell their stories in their own voices, and get paid! Over 40 stories, more than 5 languages, and across 7+ states - here we are today, a print magazine dedicated to our storytellers. We’re so incredibly proud of them, our hearts could burst! Thank you to the fantastic folks at Outlook Traveller for putting these stories together so beautifully. Our amazing storytellers and community partners, here’s to you and many more milestones! A big thank you to our ever-growing family of volunteers. None of it would be possible without you. And to you, our readers. Thank you for loving our stories! We hope you enjoy flipping through the magazine just as much ☺️ Consider our stories an open invitation to experience these inspiring, amazing villages in India, when it’s safe to travel again.
You've loved our stories and storytellers. So we w You've loved our stories and storytellers. So we went ahead and worked on something exciting! It was bound to happen, is all we can reveal right now. 😉 Watch out for our posts in the coming days! Can't wait to share this with you. 💚
In the latest story on @voicesofruralindia, Divya In the latest story on @voicesofruralindia, Divya Nautiyal @divyan_07 - a young zoology student from Uttarakhand’s Mukhwa / Matli village - sheds light on the life of “Pahari Wilson” who both plundered her valley and created livelihoods that flourish to this day! She writes: “When the floods devastated Uttarakhand in 2013, all access to the Upper Taknore valley was cut off. Connecting bridges and roads were destroyed by the disaster. 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 literally 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 adventure 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 behinda legacy that still lives on today!” Go read this thrilling, fascinating story on voicesofruralindia.org and leave your thoughts in the comments! #voicesofruralindia #uttarakhanddiaries #pahariwilson #harshil #incredibleindia
“I am the eldest amongst my siblings. Our mother “I am the eldest amongst my siblings. Our mother has divided chores amongst us all so that we pick up skills that are essential to rural life. We can’t slack off in our duties or afford to be lazy, for there are multiple responsibilities to be taken care of. I look after the kitchen. Cooking and cleaning of this space comes in my domain. One of my sisters is assigned the task of fetching water, another to take care of the cows, and so on and so forth,” writes Divya Bhiyar, a 21-year-old student from a mountain village in Himachal Pradesh, in her story on @voicesofruralindia about how every traditional house carries an imprint of local belief systems. “If we slack off in our regular chores or fail in responsibilities, our mother is quick to remind us that whenever we get married, if we don’t know how to take care of the house and everything around us, we would be dropped back home. Though in a lighter vein, she says, “People will assume that I didn’t teach you anything”. It used to irk us sometimes. But not anymore. As we are maturing, we realise that the village doesn’t have access to some of the basic facilities. That makes the job of every village resident – male or female – tougher. So we have to embrace every aspect of our lives wholeheartedly, with the hope that Jogni mata is listening to our prayers of well-being and safety.” Read Divya’s entire story on voicesofruralindia.org or at the link in our bio. Share your thoughts with Divya in the comments and we’ll relay them to her all the way in Himachal 💚 Photos via @himalayanecotourism #voicesofruralindia #himachalpradesh #storiesofindia #ruralindia #himalayandiaries
*MEET THE STORYTELLER* Nawang Phuntsog @phuntsogte *MEET THE STORYTELLER* Nawang Phuntsog @phuntsogteri was born into a semi-nomadic family of herders in Teri village, around 100 kms east of Leh in the Changthang region of the Tibetan Plateau. “I studied in the village school till fifth standard. Learning from school wasn’t that good, but lessons from Mother Nature were abundant. I will never forget playing with marmots or exploring bird nests, observing how they hatched and raised their young very closely, during our summer grazing expeditions. Being so close to nature is a blessing and I feel lucky to have gathered such experiences. But at this point in time, I knew very little about my nook of Ladakh – Changthang. It was only after I went to Nyoma – 90kms from my home and a prominent block in the Leh district – for my high school that I realised how big this region is since students from all over Changthang came to my school for studies.  From them, I learnt about the cultural diversity and vastness of Changthang, which is also home to a nomadic tribe called the Changpas, who rear yaks, horses and sheep, alongside the famous Changthangi goats...” In his story for Voices of Rural India, Nawang shares his vision for creating a self-sustainable future for Ladakh in the pashmina handicrafts industry, the supportive ecosystem he has been building for women artisans in Leh and his entrepreneurial journey starting up @nomadicwoolenmills Read the entire story at the link in our bio, or go to voicesofruralindia.org Even in these difficult times, we’ve decided to continue bringing you stories of inspiration and hope from rural communities across India, in their own voices. Each storyteller gets paid a fee directly in their bank account, and we’re ever grateful for your support in our little initiative 💚 #voicesofruralindia #ladakh #storiesofindia #incredibleindia #lehladakh
We’re delighted to see Witerson M. Sangma’s st We’re delighted to see Witerson M. Sangma’s story on the forbidden forests of Meghalaya republished by @outlook_responsibletourism 🌱 A social worker from Meghalaya’s Chiringmagre village, he shares how ancient traditions and the tribal culture is helping preserve pristine biodiversity patches in the South Garo Hills! Read the full story on responsibletourismindia.com - or at the link in our bio! Have you come across any extraordinary stories of conservation where you live? Supported by @globalhimalayanexpedition
Join us on Instagram

@voicesofruralindia

We know the Vembanad Lake – those blue waters of We know the Vembanad Lake – those blue waters of everyone’s Kerala houseboat dreams. Did you know there’s a fishing community dedicated to keep the lake's ecosystem from dying? Our storyteller, K.M. Poovu belongs to this incredible community. He writes, “How did the fish population decline? There are many factors that contributed to the impoverishment of the Vembanad Lake ecosystem. One of the major factors was the construction of Thanneermukkom Bund (Thannermukkom Salt Water Barrier) in 1975 across the Vembanad Lake, to prevent flow of salt water from the tidal waves of the Arabian Sea into the low lands of the Kuttanad region - helping paddy cultivation that needs fresh water. This barrier divided the 36000 hectares lake into two parts – the northern part with salty water all through the year and southern half with fresh water from rivers. Before the barrier was commissioned, 429 tons of prawns were obtained from the lake as per the government records. A year later, prawns obtained from the lake reduced by 27 tons. Studies revealed that this decline was a result of reduced salinity in water in the southern part of the lake. Prawns need salty water for breeding. Same was the case with clams. A clam lays about 5 lakhs eggs, but salty water is needed to facilitate hatching of those eggs.” Read the full story in Malayalam/English at voicesofruralindia.org. and discover the incredible work being done to revive the lake. The story is also part of Outlook Traveller's July issue dedicated entirely to stories from Voices of Rural India. Have you got yourself a copy yet? 😊
*NEW* @arjun_yemceee , a 23-year-old guide and sto *NEW* @arjun_yemceee , a 23-year-old guide and storyteller from the Mothakkara village in Kerala, describes how childhood experiences influenced his decision to stay on and work in his village, instead of chasing opportunities elsewhere. He writes, "I love my native region – Wayanad. This place is very dear to me. It has given me lessons that have shaped up my life. From my childhood experiences of staying close to the Kurichiya community, I learnt to value traditional wisdom and the importance of staying in harmony with nature. My school and college life taught me the important lessons of equality. Festivals, such as Thira Mahotsavam organized by the Kurichiya community and attended by people regardless of their religion and caste, are unique to Mothakkara and they instill a strong sense of community among the people of the village. Even though many of my classmates and friends have chosen to live and study outside Kerala and abroad, I have never been attracted to other places. My love for my birthplace has made me choose it and its people over a rewarding career anywhere outside and I’ve never regretted my choice... Working abroad might get me good money, but I doubt it would give me the same sense of satisfaction, contentment and peace that I get in this village." Read this beautiful story in Malayalam/English on voicesofruralindia.org. And do remember to share your thoughts with Arjun in the comments below 😊 Supported by: @kabanitour
We promised you a surprise, and here it finally is We promised you a surprise, and here it finally is! Beyond excited to share that @outlooktraveller 's July issue is entirely dedicated to stories from Voices of Rural India! This gorgeous collectors’ special is out on stands already, so go get yourself a copy now 😊 The journey of @voicesofruralindia began during the 2020 lockdown when we asked ourselves a question. How can we give back to the very people we travel to meet? Guides, homestay hosts, women, and children – the myriad incredible people who make our travels memorable. Anyone with a passion for travel to India’s villages knows exactly how transformative it can be. We're a platform driven purely by the talent, passion, and creativity of storytellers in rural India. Where people can tell their stories in their own voices, and get paid! Over 40 stories, more than 5 languages, and across 7+ states - here we are today, a print magazine dedicated to our storytellers. We’re so incredibly proud of them, our hearts could burst! Thank you to the fantastic folks at Outlook Traveller for putting these stories together so beautifully. Our amazing storytellers and community partners, here’s to you and many more milestones! A big thank you to our ever-growing family of volunteers. None of it would be possible without you. And to you, our readers. Thank you for loving our stories! We hope you enjoy flipping through the magazine just as much ☺️ Consider our stories an open invitation to experience these inspiring, amazing villages in India, when it’s safe to travel again.
You've loved our stories and storytellers. So we w You've loved our stories and storytellers. So we went ahead and worked on something exciting! It was bound to happen, is all we can reveal right now. 😉 Watch out for our posts in the coming days! Can't wait to share this with you. 💚
In the latest story on @voicesofruralindia, Divya In the latest story on @voicesofruralindia, Divya Nautiyal @divyan_07 - a young zoology student from Uttarakhand’s Mukhwa / Matli village - sheds light on the life of “Pahari Wilson” who both plundered her valley and created livelihoods that flourish to this day! She writes: “When the floods devastated Uttarakhand in 2013, all access to the Upper Taknore valley was cut off. Connecting bridges and roads were destroyed by the disaster. 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 literally 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 adventure 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 behinda legacy that still lives on today!” Go read this thrilling, fascinating story on voicesofruralindia.org and leave your thoughts in the comments! #voicesofruralindia #uttarakhanddiaries #pahariwilson #harshil #incredibleindia
“I am the eldest amongst my siblings. Our mother “I am the eldest amongst my siblings. Our mother has divided chores amongst us all so that we pick up skills that are essential to rural life. We can’t slack off in our duties or afford to be lazy, for there are multiple responsibilities to be taken care of. I look after the kitchen. Cooking and cleaning of this space comes in my domain. One of my sisters is assigned the task of fetching water, another to take care of the cows, and so on and so forth,” writes Divya Bhiyar, a 21-year-old student from a mountain village in Himachal Pradesh, in her story on @voicesofruralindia about how every traditional house carries an imprint of local belief systems. “If we slack off in our regular chores or fail in responsibilities, our mother is quick to remind us that whenever we get married, if we don’t know how to take care of the house and everything around us, we would be dropped back home. Though in a lighter vein, she says, “People will assume that I didn’t teach you anything”. It used to irk us sometimes. But not anymore. As we are maturing, we realise that the village doesn’t have access to some of the basic facilities. That makes the job of every village resident – male or female – tougher. So we have to embrace every aspect of our lives wholeheartedly, with the hope that Jogni mata is listening to our prayers of well-being and safety.” Read Divya’s entire story on voicesofruralindia.org or at the link in our bio. Share your thoughts with Divya in the comments and we’ll relay them to her all the way in Himachal 💚 Photos via @himalayanecotourism #voicesofruralindia #himachalpradesh #storiesofindia #ruralindia #himalayandiaries
*MEET THE STORYTELLER* Nawang Phuntsog @phuntsogte *MEET THE STORYTELLER* Nawang Phuntsog @phuntsogteri was born into a semi-nomadic family of herders in Teri village, around 100 kms east of Leh in the Changthang region of the Tibetan Plateau. “I studied in the village school till fifth standard. Learning from school wasn’t that good, but lessons from Mother Nature were abundant. I will never forget playing with marmots or exploring bird nests, observing how they hatched and raised their young very closely, during our summer grazing expeditions. Being so close to nature is a blessing and I feel lucky to have gathered such experiences. But at this point in time, I knew very little about my nook of Ladakh – Changthang. It was only after I went to Nyoma – 90kms from my home and a prominent block in the Leh district – for my high school that I realised how big this region is since students from all over Changthang came to my school for studies.  From them, I learnt about the cultural diversity and vastness of Changthang, which is also home to a nomadic tribe called the Changpas, who rear yaks, horses and sheep, alongside the famous Changthangi goats...” In his story for Voices of Rural India, Nawang shares his vision for creating a self-sustainable future for Ladakh in the pashmina handicrafts industry, the supportive ecosystem he has been building for women artisans in Leh and his entrepreneurial journey starting up @nomadicwoolenmills Read the entire story at the link in our bio, or go to voicesofruralindia.org Even in these difficult times, we’ve decided to continue bringing you stories of inspiration and hope from rural communities across India, in their own voices. Each storyteller gets paid a fee directly in their bank account, and we’re ever grateful for your support in our little initiative 💚 #voicesofruralindia #ladakh #storiesofindia #incredibleindia #lehladakh
We’re delighted to see Witerson M. Sangma’s st We’re delighted to see Witerson M. Sangma’s story on the forbidden forests of Meghalaya republished by @outlook_responsibletourism 🌱 A social worker from Meghalaya’s Chiringmagre village, he shares how ancient traditions and the tribal culture is helping preserve pristine biodiversity patches in the South Garo Hills! Read the full story on responsibletourismindia.com - or at the link in our bio! Have you come across any extraordinary stories of conservation where you live? Supported by @globalhimalayanexpedition
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