Blogs

Beyond the story of reverse migration, a generation is renegotiating what it means to leave, return and build a livelihood in the hills. In the Indian context, our own version of the American Dream has often been associated with moving away from where one belongs to bigger cities. In Uttarakhand, difficult terrain, climate-related hardships, natural disasters and limited access to quality education, healthcare and employment have pushed generations to larger cities in search

Women in rural communities have always had entrepreneurial potential. The question is what becomes possible when the right resources and systems support their aspirations and help them grow. For generations, women have held much of Uttarakhand's mountain economy together. From farming and food production to weaving, traditional crafts, caregiving and managing households, their work has sustained families and local livelihoods. Yet much of this contribution remains unpaid, und

For Pradeep, this meant working with what already exists around him: a craft his community has practised for generations, the knowledge of local artisans, and a belief that distance from markets does not have to mean distance from opportunity. Pradeep is a 26-year-old first-generation entrepreneur from Metali, a remote village in the India-Nepal border region of Pithoragarh district, Uttarakhand. Serene and beautiful, the village is reached by a 10-kilometre hike from Joulji

For many young graduates in Uttarakhand, the future often looks like a choice between two narrow roads: spend years preparing for a handful of government jobs or leave the mountains for an uncertain life in a distant city. Gokul Mer from Nainital was standing at that exact crossroads. A BBA graduate, he was initially lining up for a government service career. But deep down, he wanted something different. With some timely encouragement from his brother, Gokul decided to step o

“I didn’t want to leave the hills to find work. I wanted to create something here, with my art, and for others like me” ​Harshita, from Peora, rural Nainital, discovered her love for art early, sparked by her cousin, an art teacher. Harshita would sneak into her cousin’s room to admire her work. Though caught and scolded, the memory remained etched as the beginning of a quiet dream. ​At school, Harshita was the go-to person for anything creative. However, pressured by society

Moved by the struggles students faced in accessing online education, Sanjay Bisht from Ramgarh in Nainital district decided to take action. Ramgarh, often known as the fruit bowl of Kumaun, is more than just a scenic town to him. It is home. He grew up among its mountains, deeply connected to the landscape and community that shaped him. Moved by the struggles students faced in accessing online education, Sanjay Bisht from Ramgarh in Nainital district decided to take action. R

Seeking Purpose: Prelude to Passion Naveen Chandra Joshi, a native of Pithoragarh, had a humble upbringing in a family where his father worked as a farmer, and his mother dedicated her time to being a homemaker. Naveen completed his education through 12th grade, after which he moved to Mumbai to explore the hotel management field, following in the footsteps of his older brother, who was already working in the field. However, the bustling hotel industry didn't quite capture Na

Rural entrepreneurship is a rapidly growing movement transforming communities across the heart of India's rural landscapes. This movement supports residents who use their skills and resources to launch enterprises that improve their communities. A Path Shaped by Diverse Experience Ashok Kumar’s journey from humble beginnings to pioneering rural entrepreneurship embodies resilience, passion, and a deep connection with nature. Ashok was born and raised in the foothills of the H

Purkal Stree Shakti Samiti (PSSS) is a group of women who are dedicated to empower themselves. Purkal is a small village in the foothills...

“Dream big”, says Suraj Kumar from Uttarakhand, founder of the independent Dehradun based weekly magazine ‘The Dehradun Street’. There are many young writers who are enthusiastic to get published and let the world know about all the stories they have to tell. But, getting to know about these opportunities and the right platforms has always been difficult. This is why The Dehradun Street is a revolution of its own. Suraj started it as a dream on 15th September 2015 which has m

Family friends Tanya Kotnala and Tanya Singh have always known the importance of local culture. It is their passion for preserving, conserving, and promoting local art, culture, and cuisine that they came up with the idea of Bhuli. Literally meaning “little girl” in Garhwali, Bhuli aims to make Uttarakhand recognized in terms of art and craft. It is an Uttarakhand based enterprise seeking to promote nutrition, culture, and healthcare. Many people outside the state actually kn

Climate change is a reality. The use of plastic seems inevitable. But what if there was a solution? Meet Seema Prasad of Mysuru,...

Buying packaged food items like Soan Papdi, Gajak or Gur Patti from multinational or national companies has always been a norm for us, we...

The hand-woven woollen shawls with geometric or colourful motifs of Himachal Pradesh are famous all around the country. So are the famous...

Rural entrepreneurship thrives on local innovation, merging traditional wisdom with modern opportunities. It empowers individuals to...

We are doing some inspiring stories of our Margshala alumni and trying to let people know how dreams can change our lives, irrespective...

India and Bharat Together’s Margshala was born out of the idea of transforming opportunities to Indian rural youth. Rural and small-town...

Entrepreneurship has its own thrills. For Harish, entrepreneurship implies long-term stability. India and Bharat Together’s Margshala...

Being an entrepreneur is full of challenges but is equally rewarding, especially for Devendra. Hailing from Pithoragarh, Devendra is an...

How businesses can be community-centric, environmentally sensitive and thrive with the right support systems in place Punam runs a...