Internationally renowned fashion designer and former supermodel Bibi Russell has joined hands with the ethnic Bodo women of the northeastern Indian state of Assam in creating a new line of lifestyle products that will blend traditional Bodo culture and high fashion. Bibi Russell, who was associated with leading international brands and fashion shows in the 1970s and 80s, will TRAIn Bodo women working for Weaving Destination in modern design techniques and...

Over 11,000 acres of land has been brought under organic farming in Punjab and Haryana under a scheme sponsored by the Union Government. While 6,050 acres has so far come under organic farming in Punjab, Haryana too is not lagging behind as 5,000 acre has been brought under organic farming. To promote organic farming in Punjab and Haryana, farmers are being provided technological inputs including TRAIning and farm-level advisory services according...

The Union Cabinet on Thursday approved a Rural Development Ministry proposal to launch the National Rural Livelihood Mission that aims to reduce poverty in a time-bound manner through provision of diversified employment opportunities and skill development. The proposal for the big-ticket development mission was earlier approved by the Expenditure Finance Commi-ttee and was taken up by the Cabinet Committee on Eco-nomic Affairs for clearance in a meeting on Thursday even-ing....

In a small hamlet in Andhra Pradesh’s Ghatkesar district, 20km from Hyderabad, Indus Academy is one of four schools offering private education for the poor. Run by Career Launcher India Ltd’s foundation, its three single-storey buildings house around 40 children in the age group of 4-10. The walls of the school are festooned with bright-coloured pictures, and the school boasts a laptop, a television, a DVD player and plentiful study...

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) Thursday approved the restructuring of a centrally-sponsored rural self-emeployment scheme as a National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM) given past experiences, shortcomings pointed out by research studies and recommendations by various committees. Home Minister P. Chidmabaram said that NRLM will function in a mission mode for target-based delivery of outcomes. It will follow a demand driven approach which would allow the states to formulate...