West Bengal

A woman politician gives a thumbs up on back of truck

Women are becoming 'electable' candidates in India — even when they don't win

Historically shut out of Indian politics, women are now busting societal prejudices and gaining political power. 

Women are becoming 'electable' candidates in India — even when they don't win
A group of children from the Shaktimaan group pose together in a slum in Kolkata, India, convincing child dropouts to go back to school.

Child 'superheroes' free children from child labor and marriage

Child 'superheroes' free children from child labor and marriage
Each neighborhood in Kolkata has its own celebration with a different artist creating the idol of Durga, showing her killing the demon.

Why do we celebrate goddesses, but treat our women so poorly?

Why do we celebrate goddesses, but treat our women so poorly?
An artist applies the finishing touches on an idol of the Hindu goddess Durga in preparation for a yearly festival for Bengali Hindus.

For Bengali Hindus, radio is an unchanging part of a religious tradition

For Bengali Hindus, radio is an unchanging part of a religious tradition
Delhi protests May 29 2014

Why the vast majority of middle-class Indians didn't protest after the latest gang rape and murder

Why the vast majority of middle-class Indians didn't protest after the latest gang rape and murder

An American teacher in India enjoys the traditions of a Bengali wedding

In which city in West Bengal, India, would you find a traditional wedding ceremony where a bride covers her face with a betel leaf and where guests blow on a conch shell to celebrate the couple?

An American teacher in India enjoys the traditions of a Bengali wedding

Trafficking of young girls in India a growing problem amid gender imbalance

India has a growing problem with trafficking of young women. Oftentimes, though, these women aren't sold into prostitution, per se, but rather into forced marriages. It's a problem exacerbated by a culture that has allowed female fetuses to be aborted, leading to many more men than women.

Trafficking of young girls in India a growing problem amid gender imbalance

The Trafficking of Girls in India

Every year tens of thousands of girls in India are sold into a life of violence and abuse. Many are sold to be brides. That has a lot to do with gender imbalances and the widespread practice of aborting female fetuses in northern India.

The Trafficking of Girls in India
The World

India Protects Its Most Valuable Tea

We're looking for the name of a town in the eastern Indian state of West Bengal. This town in the foothills of the Himalayas gives its name to one of the world's most popular tea varieties.

India Protects Its Most Valuable Tea