Community & Livelihoods

The Siddi community—India’s unique Afro-Indian tribal group—has historically faced social and economic challenges rooted in marginalization, limited access to opportunities, and geographic isolation. Within this context, Siddi women often carry a double burden: managing households with restricted income sources while remaining excluded from formal financial systems and decision-making spaces. Community-based platforms such as Self Help…

Why Tribal Inclusion Matters in India’s Development Agenda India is home to more than 700 tribal communities, collectively known as Adivasis or Scheduled Tribes (STs). They form nearly 8.6% of India’s population, yet their contribution to the nation’s cultural, ecological, and economic life remains largely unrecognized.Despite constitutional protections and decades of development programs, tribal communities…

Follow our journey from Mumbai to a remote forest village in Karnataka, where we witnessed (Ravi’s First Honey Harvest) explored sustainable livelihoods through beekeeping, and saw how one small initiative is inspiring an entire community. A Journey That Began With a Promise A few months ago, we shared the story of a beekeeping initiative started…

A Small Step Forward: 3 Months of Beekeeping Progress in the Siddi Community It has now been three months since our first visit to Ravi’s home deep in the forest. As we look back today, that day feels very vivid—almost like it happened yesterday. We still remember the long drive through the forest, the narrow…

How a Siddi Woman Built a Village Livelihood Through Pig Farming: In many rural parts of India, especially within historically marginalized communities, or the Siddi community livelihood is not a matter of choice—it is a matter of survival. People do not ask, “What work do I want to do?” They ask, “What work is available…

Siddi women Kawanid/quilts known locally as Kawanid, are more than handmade fabrics — they are living stories stitched with the heritage, resilience, and strength of India’s Siddi community. Each quilt reflects creativity, identity, and the spirit of women empowering their culture through craft. In the serene villages tucked within the Western Ghats, where lush forests…

Discover the inspiring story of the AKSSADA Siddi community through Cajetan Francis Kambrekar tribute. Mr Cajetan Francis Kambrekar tribute (1948–2018) was more than a name in history — he was a trailblazer and the first graduate from the Siddi community of Karnataka, India. His life’s work as an organizer, mentor, and advocate continues to inspire…