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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
  • Media
  • Contribute

  • Hooked on Fishing

    September 14, 2021 /

    A bio-diversity enthusiast from Maharashtra’s Khadki Budruk village recalls his childhood experiences with traditional fishing, and examines the need to preserve the knowledge of indigenous methods and tools

    Go to story
    Balu Nivrutti Bhangre

  • Every Drop Counts: How a Village in Maharashtra Transformed Parched Land to Lush Fields

    August 22, 2021 /

    A teacher and guide from Maharashtra’s Purushwadi village shares how collective efforts of village residents and experts helped contain the water crisis due to extreme weather conditions

    Go to story
    Mahadu Chindhu Kondar

  • A Wild Fruit on the Brink of Extinction

    April 27, 2021 /

    A biodiversity enthusiast from Maharashtra's Khadki Budruk village reminisces about how a wild fruit defined his childhood - and why it has been fast disappearing.

    Go to story
    Balu Nivrutti Bhangre

  • The Magical Flying Lanterns of Purushwadi

    March 3, 2021 /

    A teacher and guide from Maharashtra’s Purushwadi village introduces the magical world of fireflies – and a monsoon festival to inspire their conservation

    Go to story
    Mahadu Chindhu Kondar

  • The Village Deity who Protects her People from Pandemics

    January 11, 2021 /

    Over a hundred years ago, a strange illness hit Maharashtra's Purushwadi village, writes a teacher as he explores faith in the local deity

    Go to story
    Mahadu Chindhu Kondar

  • What Can Two Imaginative Minds Create With Wild Grass and a Thorny Tree?

    October 13, 2020 /

    A teacher from Maharashtra's Purushwadi village visually documents the craftsmenship of two brothers, who use wild grass, a thorny tree and their imagination to create sustainable vessels, vases, ornaments and more

    Go to story
    Mahadu Chindhu Kondar

  • Where the Tiger is God

    September 11, 2020 /
    adult tiger walking on brown grass

    A teacher from Maharashtra’s Purushwadi village shares the generations-old practice of worshipping wild tigers, that continues to this day

    Go to story
    Mahadu Chindhu Kondar
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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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*NEW* “Born in a middle-class family in a tiny *NEW* “Born in a middle-class family in a tiny remote village called Lonthru in the Uttarkashi region of Uttarakhand, I faced the same challenges that most other families with a similar background in my region face – limited opportunities and a constant struggle to fulfil basic needs. Yet I became the first woman from Uttarakhand, and the second from India, to summit Mount Lhotse – the fourth highest peak in the world. This is my story.” Head over to voicesofruralindia.org to read Savita Kanswal’s inspiring journey to a dream career in mountaineering, in her own words! Supported by @greenpeopleind
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
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*NEW* “Born in a middle-class family in a tiny *NEW* “Born in a middle-class family in a tiny remote village called Lonthru in the Uttarkashi region of Uttarakhand, I faced the same challenges that most other families with a similar background in my region face – limited opportunities and a constant struggle to fulfil basic needs. Yet I became the first woman from Uttarakhand, and the second from India, to summit Mount Lhotse – the fourth highest peak in the world. This is my story.” Head over to voicesofruralindia.org to read Savita Kanswal’s inspiring journey to a dream career in mountaineering, in her own words! Supported by @greenpeopleind
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
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