Kerala

Volunteers are using Facebook, Twitter and WhatsApp to find out what people need and give them vital information on how to survive.

The heavy rainfall has resulted in deadly landslides and flash floods, leaving hundreds of thousands of people homeless.

The heavy rains hitting the popular tourist destination of Kerala have loosed deadly floods and landslides. "Never before had the State witnessed a calamity of this scale," says a local leader.

Toddy is a type of palm wine made from the fermented sap of coconut flowers. But the best toddy shops in southwestern India are celebrated for the spicy, coconutty food they serve with the drink.

In a small church in New York, a sect of Catholics from south India struggle to hold on to a piece of ancient culture that is intertwined with an evolving faith community.

They were earning a little less than $3.50 a day. Then their bonus was cut. They didn't trust their union to stand up for them. So they had only one choice.

The fire swept through a packed Hindu temple during a fireworks display. Local officials say at least 100 were killed, with at least 200 other people injured.

President Obama praised the Indian state last month for good reason. It's got beaches, backwaters and the country's longest life expectancy and highest literacy rate. Plus, girls outnumber boys!