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Fellowship

State of Chaos: How to Move an Entire Life (and Project) in 10 Days or Less

Presented by: Sibani Singh There comes a time in every fellow’s journey when the romanticism of grassroots change meets the very unromantic reality of logistics. For me, it arrived in the form of a ticking clock, three suitcases, an entire household to dismantle, a fellowship wrap-up to finesse, project handovers to communities, and of course—Indian […]

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Fellowship

Rooted and Rising: My Personal Growth Through the Fellowship Journey

Written by Sibani Singh, JSW Foundation Fellow There are journeys that change your path — and then there are journeys that change you.My fellowship journey over the past year has been one such transformative voyage — not only across landscapes of rural Odisha but deep into the landscapes of my own spirit, capabilities, and calling. […]

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Fellowship

She Cooks. She Cleans. She Conquers.

Presented by: Sibani Singh, JSW Foundation Fellow Misogyny in the Mud One of the most unexpected and eye-opening experiences I had during my entire pond rejuvenation journey—spanning the intense summer months of March, April, and May—was not just about water. It was about power. About gender. And about resilience. If you’ve followed my blog series, […]

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Fellowship

Breathing Life into Water: The Impact of Phase 2 of Pond Rejuvenation

(16th–24th May 2025): Mahal, Dhinkia Panchayat, Erasama, Jagatsinghpur, Odisha. After the weed-laden waters of the village pond were cleared in Phase 1, the path was paved for deeper, more transformative change. Phase 2 of the rejuvenation project—carried out from 16th to 24th May 2025—was not merely a technical intervention; it was an expression of collective […]

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Fellowship

Breathing Life Back into Water: The Story of Thakura Gadia Pond in Mahal Village

Mahal, Odisha | May 14, 2025 Nestled along the rural coastal belt of Odisha lies Mahal, a small but vibrant village in the Dhinkia panchayat, rich in culture and resilience. Over the years, however, the community has grappled with one of the most pressing issues of our times—water scarcity. With handpumps running dry or delivering […]

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Fellowship

Transforming Water Security in Mahal Village: A Pioneering Initiative

A Journey Towards Sustainable Water Management Location: Paradeep, Odisha Water is life, yet in Mahal Village, Paradeep, it has been a source of struggle. The community grapples with acute water scarcity and iron contamination, affecting daily life and health. However, a transformative water governance and management project is reshaping the narrative, striving for sustainable solutions […]

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Fellowship

Khamir Exploration: A Journey into the Heart of Craft and Culture

Author: Sibani Singh, JSWFF, Paradeep, OdishaCo-Author: Anusha Murali, JSWFF, Dolvi, Maharashtra The travel workshop at Khamir officially began on the 29th of January 2025, but curiosity knows no bounds. Eager to immerse ourselves in the essence of this vibrant craft hub, my co-fellow Anusha and I, along with fellow explorers Rutuja, Manjunath, Arathi, and Nutan, […]

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Fellowship

PRIYATAMA: A BEACON OF RESILIENCE AND LEADERSHIP

The story of Priyatama is one of resilience, dignity, and unwavering commitment to both her personal life and community. She is a single mother from Mahal Village, a small settlement in the rural coastal belt of Odisha, where she skillfully balances her professional and social commitments. When I met her, I saw in her a […]

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Fellowship

Nurturing Environmental Stewardship: Celebrating World Environment Day with Rural Youth in Odisha

World Environment Day, traditionally celebrated on June 5th, took on a special significance in our rural landscape this year. Due to extended school holidays caused by scorching heat and increased humidity, the celebration was delayed. However, once the schools reopened, the event became a much-anticipated and exciting occasion for the students. Organizing an event of […]

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Fellowship JSW Foundation Fellowship

Balijatra

                     A Voyage to Bali Hi,  My name is Sibani Singh, Gote Odia Jhia (an Odia girl). I’m here to share my Odia Culture, Histories and Stories with you. This post is all about the why? who? when? where? how? and wow!! of Baliyatra/Balijatra. Let’s dive in… “Om Ganga, Sindhu, Saraswati, Vipasa, KausikaNadi Yamuna. Mahanadi Srestha […]