Sheetal, a 22-year-old woman from Pithoragarh, Uttarakhand, became the youngest woman to climb Kanchenjunga. Despite facing societal pressures and financial challenges, she defied the odds to achieve her dream. Her journey began with daily endurance training and overcoming personal battles, such as resisting an arranged marriage at 15. Supported by friends and organizations like the National Cadet Corps and the Indian Mountaineering Federation, she managed to fund her expeditions. Her climb to Kanchenjunga was funded by ONGC, but she still seeks sponsorship for her ultimate goal of conquering Mount Everest and the world's 14 highest peaks.

Sheetal, a 22-year-old woman from Pithoragarh, Uttarakhand, became the youngest woman to climb Kanchenjunga. Despite traditional expectations and financial challenges, she pursued her dream of mountaineering with the support of friends and organizations like the National Cadet Corps and ONGC. Her journey highlights the cultural and economic obstacles faced by women in Indian villages, as well as her determination to achieve her goals, including climbing all 14 of the world's highest peaks.

The article highlights the challenges faced by residents of high-altitude villages in the Himalayan Vyas valley, particularly regarding the construction of a road to Lipulekh Pass by the Border Roads Organisation. The road, crucial for local migration, trade, and military logistics, has been delayed multiple times, causing hardships for villagers who rely on the mule route. The upcoming 2019 Lok Sabha elections see the road as a significant issue, with villagers expressing dissatisfaction with both the Bharatiya Janata Party and Congress. The BJP is criticized for inadequate disaster response and reduced rice rations, while the Congress is viewed with cautious hope for better support. The article underscores the villagers' isolation and reliance on neighboring countries for aid during crises.

Chintamani Palai, an Odia bhadi, has been delivering water in Kolkata for over three decades, a profession passed down through generations. Despite the strenuous nature of the job and declining numbers of bhadis, Palai continues to serve the community, highlighting the critical role these workers play in the city's water distribution system. The article explores the challenges faced by bhadis, including migration, unemployment, and water scarcity, while also touching on the personal lives and community bonds formed through this labor. The narrative underscores the importance of manual water carriers in a city grappling with water supply issues and the impact of urbanization on traditional livelihoods.

The Uttara Museum of Contemporary Art in Dehradun, inaugurated by Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat, is India's first 'disaster museum' and features 50 works by artist Surendra Pal Joshi reflecting on the 2013 Uttarakhand floods. The museum includes sculptures, paintings, and installations, such as a helicopter made from safety pins and acrylic sheets, symbolizing the rescue efforts. Joshi's wife, Sangeeta, shares the artist's vision of creating art to preserve the memory of the disaster. The museum's exhibits explore the duality of Uttarakhand's mountains as both sacred and destructive.

Taukeer Alam, a school dropout from the Van Gujjar tribe in Uttarakhand, has become one of the state's top birdwatchers. Growing up in Rajaji National Park, Alam developed a deep connection with nature, which was further nurtured by researchers from the Centre for Ecological Sciences and the Nature Science Initiative. Now a field coordinator, Alam is highly regarded for his self-taught skills and dedication to conservation. He also educates rural children about nature and birdwatching, aiming to inspire others in his community. Despite challenges like deforestation, Alam remains committed to preserving the environment and promoting conservation.

In Uttarakhand, India, climate change and natural disasters have left many women widowed and struggling to survive. Haruli Devi, whose husband died in a landslide, now lives alone with minimal financial support. The state has seen numerous deaths due to extreme weather, exacerbated by construction and development. Women, especially from unprivileged castes, face significant social and economic challenges. Non-profit organizations have provided some aid, but government support remains limited, leaving many women to cope with an uncertain future.

In Uttarakhand, India, climate change and natural disasters have left many women widowed and struggling to survive. The article highlights the plight of women like Haruli Devi, who lost her husband in a landslide, and Rita Devi, who faces societal stigma as a widow. Despite some support from NGOs like Sulabh International and Mandakini Women Weavers, many women receive little assistance from the state government, which cites budget constraints. The article underscores the ongoing challenges posed by climate change and the need for more comprehensive support for affected communities.

In the high-altitude border districts of Pithoragarh and Chamoli, India, the harvesting of keeda jadi, also known as the caterpillar fungus or cordyceps mushroom, has become a significant source of income for many poor families. The fungus, which parasitically grows in the larva of the ghost moth caterpillar, is highly valued for its supposed aphrodisiacal properties and as an ingredient in traditional Chinese medicine. Despite the illegal nature of the trade, families, including children, participate in the risky and labor-intensive collection process due to the substantial financial rewards. The Uttarakhand government attempted to regulate the trade through van panchayats and licenses, but these measures have largely been ineffective. The fungus is smuggled into China and Nepal, fetching prices that significantly contribute to the villagers' income.

In Jhargram, West Bengal, RJ Shikha Mandi is using her radio program 'Johar Jhargram' on Radio Milan to promote the Santali language and culture. Despite the Santali community being the largest tribal group in Bengal, the language faces decline due to socio-economic pressures and limited educational support. Mandi, motivated by her experiences of cultural inferiority, aims to make Santali fashionable and accessible. Her efforts are supported by a growing interest in Santali among the younger generation and academic circles, though challenges remain due to low literacy rates within the community.