http://southasia.oneworld.net Read stories of people's hope, courage and despair from urban and rural South Asia. daily 1 2008-09-26T06:30:00Z http://southasia.oneworld.net/fromthegrassroots/tribals-in-india-adopt-terrific-toilet-training Tribals in central India have adopted hygienic practices. For the first time ever, villagers own a house with its very own toilet, which is no mean achievement for the country, where 60% homes do not have toilet facilities. No publisher Ejaz Kaiser India Health Sanitation South Asia 2009-11-20T10:36:33Z Article http://southasia.oneworld.net/fromthegrassroots/revival-of-old-practice-comes-handy-in-times-of-drought By reviving an old farm practice of <i>pata</i>, women in this western Indian district are ensuring food security in times of drought by growing vegetables, fruits, sorghum and pigeon peas. Traditionally, <i>pata</i> signifies a woman’s space in agriculture, which had lost its significance after Green Revolution and commercialisation. No publisher Aparna Pallavi Gender Food security Agriculture South Asia 2009-11-18T10:06:46Z Article http://southasia.oneworld.net/fromthegrassroots/taking-libraries-to-villages-in-india Beginning with one school in 2000, Pune-based entrepreneur and activist Pradeep Lokhande has set up libraries in 100 rural schools of Maharashtra in western India to inculcate reading habit in children. The initiative has helped young students acquire a better understanding of things and confidence. No publisher Huned Contractor, OneWorld South Asia South Asia Education India Children 2009-11-17T12:18:56Z Article http://southasia.oneworld.net/fromthegrassroots/multiple-uses-of-solar-lamp-transform-an-indian-village In a remote south-west village without electricity, a modified solar lamp is helping to dispel darkness and facilitate communication. A tiny plug point to the lamp's base allows charging of mobile batteries and even television viewing. No publisher South Asia Energy India ICT 2009-11-14T07:25:10Z Article http://southasia.oneworld.net/fromthegrassroots/local-eco-teens-lead-biofuel-pilot-project Two teenagers in southern India learnt about sustainable agriculture from a group working with the rural poor. They then convinced a plant biotechnology company to collaborate with them on their project to cultivate jatropha to help the farmers augment their income and protect the environment. No publisher Ted Sillanpaa Environment India Agriculture South Asia 2009-11-12T12:16:49Z Article http://southasia.oneworld.net/fromthegrassroots/nepali-girls-get-hands-on-on-new-tech New innovations in Nepal have provided an incentive for poor rural girls to enroll in schools and pursue higher education. Initiatives like One Laptop Per Child and installing computer labs in public schools are helping more girls to get familiar with new technology. No publisher Punita Rimal Gender South Asia Education Nepal ICT 2009-11-10T12:16:27Z Article http://southasia.oneworld.net/fromthegrassroots/india-highlighting-climate-change-impact-on-grassroots At a recent public hearing held in Jaipur, people from all over India came together to share their experiences and speak of how their lives and livelihoods, traditions and culture are being impacted by climate change. It was organised by Oxfam India in collaboration with CECOEDECON. No publisher Kalyan Singh Kothari, OneWorld South Asia Biodiversity Asia-Pacific Climate change Activism India Livelihoods Agriculture 2009-11-09T11:15:53Z Article http://southasia.oneworld.net/fromthegrassroots/women-crusaders-on-the-prowl-for-timber-mafia A group of tribal women in eastern India has helped restore the neighbourhood forests. Carrying traditional weapons and humming folk warnings, these women go on routine patrolling to track timber mafia engaged in illegal felling of trees. No publisher Gender India Forests South Asia 2009-11-06T12:02:31Z Article http://southasia.oneworld.net/fromthegrassroots/from-mumbais-margins-to-copenhagen Angry slum dwellers in India’s commercial capital asked several questions regarding climate change and its causers during a public hearing organised by Oxfam. There is a need to listen to the voices of people who are facing the vagaries of changing climate in their day-to-day lives. No publisher Geeta Seshu Climate change Copenhagen India South Asia 2009-11-05T09:59:20Z Article http://southasia.oneworld.net/fromthegrassroots/indias-hills-are-alive-to-climate-change At a public hearing held recently in Rishikesh, ordinary people from Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir and Uttarakhand talked about how climate change was impacting their daily lives. A similar national hearing will be organised in India’s national capital early next week. No publisher Tripti Nath Climate change Civil society Agriculture India South Asia 2009-11-02T11:22:00Z Article