Economic Freedom with Gender Parity
Watching us approach her shop, 35-year-old Rekha Devi’s husband, Ashok Kumar, left in haste while she sat hunched over her sewing machine table, jotting down measurements for a small number of customers in her work diary. He was quick to return,…
Financial Literacy: A New Era of Women Empowerment
22-year-old Mamta Devi of Rajgarh tehsil in Rajasthan is fidgety as she sits on the charpoy, next to her husband, clutching her one-year-old daughter nervously with both her hands. She has good reasons to be anxious. After all, women sitting next to…
Nutrition and food security through Moringa – the Miracle Tree
Nutrition and food security through Moringa – the Miracle Tree Ms Shubha Devi, a 38 year old resident of Chalaha village, block Bangermau, Unnao was one of the first enthusiastic users of Moringa plant. As part of her homestead garden, she planted…
Towards A News Era of Financial Freedom
“I will call you later. Some people from the project office are here,” says 34-year-old Archana Devi as she hangs up the phone. “That was a friend. I have invited her to join the incense packing work. She is a widow with two kids and needs work.…
Spurring Potential in Rural Women
“Be careful lest the ceiling fan drops on your head. It’s the first one he has installed so I am a little sceptical. Sit directly beneath it at your own risk,” says 32-year-old Nitu Devi referring to her husband and the fan above our heads, as wary…
A Beacon of Hope for Homeless People - Roop Chand
Roop Chand A beacon of hope for homeless people Born in a small town in Barabanki district, Uttar Pradesh, Roop Chand moved to Delhi at the young age of 20. A victim of inter-generational homelessness, Roop Chand spent the next 15 years of his life…
A Small Start to A Big Dream
Nearly 17 years ago, when Pushpa Saini moved to Mahendragarh, Haryana from her native Mandawar in Rajasthan, she carried in her heart all the usual hopes and dreams that a newly-wed in rural India nurtures. Today, as we sit in her tiny but copious…
Axshya Mitras: The indispensable human touch
As someone who repaired dysfunctional sound systems, 25-year-old Sarfaraz* has worked with speakers and amplifiers for as long as he can remember. Today, as we enter his two-room house through one of the ubiquitous narrow by-lanes of Shahdara…
"Experience, the best teacher"
As we enter Deen Dayal Senior Secondary School in Sonipat, Haryana, the far end of the school boundary hosts an inquisitive and animated class of young students surrounding a bright, young teacher who matches their excitement withevery question he…
Sunita Baberia’s Story
Sunita Baberia’s Story “We wake up before the last twinkling star gets consumed, and quickly brush our teeth. Ablutions over, it’s time for breakfast, and then onwards we march to school.” Nine-year-old Sunita Baberia sings these lines in her native…
