Just because it's Sunday

 Just because it's Sunday!

There's something almost magical about Pushkar in the blazing heat of May — the kind of heat that tests your patience but rewards you with moments you simply cannot walk away from. That's exactly what happened the day I came across these traditional puppeteers and their vibrant puppets. Despite the searing sun, it was impossible to put the camera down — every thread, every painted face, every flick of the puppeteer's hand told a story too good to miss.

Today, that photograph finds itself in wonderful company — alongside the inspiring story of Aaliya Fatima Rizavi, a Class 9 student from Lucknow, who turned discarded textile waste into handcrafted puppets and went on to win first place in the 2026 National Geographic Slingshot Challenge. (IndiaWest) Her project, "The Puppet Teaches the Planet," (IndiaWest) uses these puppets to teach children about recycling and environmental responsibility — and in doing so, keeps alive an old North Indian puppetry tradition that has been fading as technology-driven entertainment takes over. (IndiaWest)

It's heartening to see a young changemaker breathe new life into a craft as old as Pushkar's puppeteers themselves — turning fabric scraps into both art and awareness.

Heartfelt congratulations to Aaliya for this remarkable achievement, and to Amol for the recognition as well! 🙏

📰 Read more: Meet Aaliya Fatima Rizavi – Times of India

https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/science/meet-aaliya-fatima-rizavi-the-class-9-student-who-turned-textile-waste-into-puppets-and-won-a-national-geographic-challenge/articleshow/131611918.cms