Kismati’s family mostly depends on agriculture followed by livestock rearing, and daily wages to feed the 6-member family. Her family owns only three bighas of agricultural land. The production from this land is insufficient to attain the food security of the family. The total cereals and pulse production from her own property provides them food for only six months, and the rest of the month’s food items is purchased from outside, with the income generated through daily wages. Her family condition was so miserable that, at times, they did not have enough cash to buy food items and fulfill other basic needs. Earlier she always faced difficulties in paying school fees on time for her children.

Introduction The Mahabari Deopani area in Dooars region of West Bengal has perennial springs which are the only source of water for drinking and domestic consumption. In the last 3 years, these springs had started drying up and turned seasonal. Consequently, the homemakers had to trek upstream for about 500–700 m through sloped terrain to fetch water. Recharging of groundwater by checking run-off was found to be the only solution to rejuvenate the spring. Hence, a project to develop the upstream area for containment and slow release of run-off was undertaken by Gram Panchayat in Matiali Batabari of Matiali Development Block in Jalpaiguri District.

Participate in India’s Skill Competition, IndiaSkills 2020 and get a chance to represent India at WorldSkills Shanghai 2021 When Faruk Ahmed ran away from home at the age of 16, little did he know he would go on to represent his country one day. Scared from confronting his father about his exam result, Farukh ended up boarding a train to Bengaluru. After spending sleepless nights at shelter homes, Farukh met a steward at a baking academy. Unknown to the world of baking, he joined the house-keeping staff. With his observant eyes and mind, Farukh’s chemistry with baking thus began.

With a view to generating awareness about the importance of water conservation and the need to protect traditional water bodies, a candle light vigil was organized around the Collectorate Pond in Bhojpur district of Bihar on 3rd September, 2019.

Sarala, was a poor woman who used to depend on rainfed single cropping farmlands from her in laws. She got training on agro-ecological practices as a Krishi Sakhi during the process. She also dug a well through MGNREGS, installed a drip irrigation system, taking a loan from SHG, introduced chemical-free Rabi season vegetables in her field. She has inspired another 20 women from SHGs. She also has addressed the challenges of vegetable marketing through collectivization at Producer’s Group (PG) level, doing the business of organic products and earning about Rs 90,000 per annum).

Introduction Uttari Noneya and Enarwabhar villages, which were located in Paharpur block in Purbi Champaran District of Bihar, had no proper drainage system. As a result, wastewater was stagnating near the houses, creating unhygienic conditions and providing a breeding ground for mosquitoes. To address this issue, it was decided to provide soak pits to individual households in these villages. The primary objective of this intervention was not only to improve the hygiene in these villages but also to use the wastewater for recharging the groundwater. The Block Development Office initiated the project.

The district administration of Latehar in Jharkhand has been gifting soaps to families in backward villages, located far from the block headquarters of Garu. Their intension is to seek their collective effort to fight against the practice of open defecation in their villages. The move by the block sanitation committee has enhanced people’s personal hygiene behavior.

Being grown up in a farmer’s family, Alice has a passion for agricultural development in her area. Her father, who is a well-known agriculturist of her area, has inspired her to take up agriculture as a primary source of livelihoods. Until her marriage, she used to help her father in the agricultural activity in the village. Soon after her marriage, she continued to be involved in agriculture in a different way like adopting the modern practices which are more sustainable and lucrative as compared to traditional farming.

Introduction Odi River originates from Madansagarat, which is located in Katal area of Madanpur village of Mandwara development block in Lalitpur District. There are four Gram Panchayats, namely Madanpur, Didaunia, Hansera and Paharikala, which are situated near river basin. The flow of water from the river has lost its force and natural form due to the presence of many check dams with the accumulation of silts. The geographical and vegetative balance of the river started to deteriorate due to which the rejuvenation of the Odi River had become extremely important. This work was taken up by the district administration.

Jalore is a dark zone district in Rajasthan where the extraction of groundwater takes place at a faster rate than its recharge. Although water from the Narmada canal is used for drinking purposes, there is insufficient water for agriculture and other uses, considering that the district receives scanty rainfall. This was reported by the Jal Shakti Abhiyan (JSA) team comprising Central Nodal Officer (CNO) – Anuradha Prasad, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Labour And Employment, Government of India; Block Nodal Officer (BNO) – Chandra Kant Reejonia, Director, Ministry of Law and Justice; Technical Officers (TO) – Deb Jyoti Monda and Junaid Ahmad, Department of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation.