Society, Culture and Peace

Enhancing socio-cultural well-being, ensuring justice and equity

Featured here are initiatives to enhance social and cultural aspects of human life: the revival and progressive use of visual, performing, and other arts, of the myriad crafts of the country, of threatened or submerged languages, of food and cuisine diversity, and other such cultural traits and processes. They also cover the various struggles and constructive movements to achieve social justice, to reduce inequalities and inequities of various kinds including caste, class, gender, ethnicity, and religion, and to create dignity in living for those currently oppressed and exploited. Finally, they include movements to generate ethical living and thinking, and spread values such as simplicity, honesty, frugality, and tolerance.

How Arunachal’s Women Healers Are Conserving Rare, Endangered Plants

With climate change driving several medicinal herbs into extinction, women healers in the Adi tribe of Arunachal Pradesh are making a difference by conserving their traditional knowledge of botanical medicines.

How a Homestay in Rural Bengal Is Helping 2500 Tribal Women Build Independent Lives Through Art

In a quiet village on the outskirts of Shantiniketan thrives a vibrant forest of craft, care, and community. Built by and for tribal women, Moram Earth is a movement rooted in art and rural craftspersonship.

Shramyog: How a remote Himalayan region, Sult, is empowering itself

Shramyog aims to strengthen these pillars of “Sahyog”, “Shiksha” and “Sangathan” through various activities and initiatives.

Nine ways of seeing deserts as landscapes of richness – not symbols of failure

This photo essay tells a story of these landscapes not as empty or degraded spaces in need of rescue, but as living and meaningful ecosystems that support vibrant biodiversity, pastoralist ways of life, and a delicate balance with scarce water and tough soils.

With no guarantee of autonomy, sub-zero Ladakh will continue to boil

Ecology and culture have been at the core of Ladakhis' demands for autonomy and self-governance. If the Centre continues to sidestep these issues, the geo-politically important and climate-sensitive region will continue to boil, even in the sub-zero temperatures.

Urban green spaces can save more lives if placed right

A new research study shows that the location of green spaces in cities matters in terms of their health benefits. More green spaces in densely populated areas save the most human lives, followed by green spaces in areas with the least amount of nature.

When climate communication takes creative and non-news forms

With artists, researchers and educators finding creative ways to talk about climate change, the focus moves away from jargon like net zero emissions to the impact of climate change on the lives, health, and livelihoods of people. 

Making Rainbows in the Andamans: Creating queer community in the Andamans is a struggle

In a Broader Context: How Did One of India’s Queer Friendly Cities Evolve? With the queer community being so small, friendships and support systems are vital.

प्रकृति-कला के ज़रिए कलाबोध का विकास (In Hindi)

अपने आसपास की वास्तविक प्राकृतिक दुनिया के साथ जुड़ाव बच्चों के मनोसामाजिक, शारीरिक और संज्ञानात्मक विकास और स्वास्थ्य के लिए ज़रूरी है – उनके खुद के लिए, इस धरती के लिए और पूरे समाज के लिए।