Kalle Bhai – A man of many stories

This article was first published by The Better India on October 17, 2016. Muzaffar Ansari, more popularly known as Kalle Bhai, is a man of many stories and mysteries. A Class 6 dropout, Kalle Bhai pursued his passion for history and heritage to become a tourist guide, an explorer and a man who can speak and…

Details

PCs are taking folk music from Rajasthan to a Global audience

This story was first published in The Better India on July 30, 2016. Yusuf Khan, now 34, first learnt to operate a PC at the age of 16. Today, technology is an integral part of his everyday life and helping him preserve his rich musical legacy for posterity. Hundreds of years ago, Khan’s ancestors roamed the…

Details

Anita Devi wants to give a boost to her business

Anita Devi is from Angara in District Ranchi of Jharkhand. She used to run a dhaba with her husband. As the couple tried to make ends meets, the husband took ill. Dauntless Anita not only took charge of running the Dhaba all by herself, but planned to expand it further. Today, she singl-ehandedly runs a…

Details

Intervention for equality

Most of the villagers of Jakhnikhal in Tehri Garhwal district of Uttarakhand fall above the poverty line and belong to the general category. However, they don’t earn enough to be able to afford grains and other food items at market price.

Details

Women in Tilonia have found a new love

This story by a DEF team member was first published by The Better India on February 16, 2016 The women of Tilonia are in love. And this love is for their newly acquired iPads. Strolling around the campus of Barefoot College in Tilonia village of Ajmer district in Rajasthan, you’ll come across several women walking…

Details

Taking burden off their father’s shoulders

Himanshu and Nitika are two studious siblings who hail from the Tipli Village of Tehri District. They stay with their father Kushal Singh, who is dependent on MNREGA for sustaining his family. The scheme provides a legal guarantee for one hundred days of employment in every financial year to adult members of any rural household…

Details

Supporting radio listeners, on air and on ground

This story by a DEF team member was first published in The Better India on March 27, 2016 Every morning at 7 am about 40,000-60,000 people in and around the village of Tilonia in Ajmer district of Rajasthan turn on their radio transistors and tune into 90.4 FM to listen to Norat Mal and Aarti…

Details