Citizens for Justice and Peace
What happens when a ‘school’ drives to the students? Many children in rural Bengal are deprived of online education, but an initiative has begun to show the way
28-Jul-2021
The Covid-19 pandemic has taken a massive toll on education, especially for children from less privileged backgrounds. In this story we take a look at how a school on wheels is attempting to solve the problem in villages in West Bengal. As the Covid-19 pandemic raged, around 1.5 million schools in India were shut, disrupting…
Small town barbers trimming their own needs to survive Lockdowns may be lifting, however customers are yet to return to the local saloons
27-Jul-2021
The neighbourhood barber shops were more than a place to seek regular grooming, these ‘saloons’ as they are popularly called were more like a club. For instance, the men’s saloons were the one place where the entire neighbourhood’s gossip was discussed. Yes, men gossip, especially when at the barber. And the said barber would all…
How the pandemic has affected Bengal’s weaving industry This report is part of CJP’s Grassroots Fellowship Program
21-Jul-2021
The Covid-19 Lockdown may soon ease off in West Bengal, however there has been massive damage done already, as it virtually cut off livelihoods of weavers and workers associated with the textile industry. The lockdown is said to have affected over six lakh registered workers associated with the weaving industry. CJP Grassroots fellow Ripon Sheikh…
Maharashtra’s Katkaris strive to overcome isolation and deprivation Meet Mahesh and Vasudev, two young members of the tribe who want to bring about positive change through education
17-Jul-2021
The Katkari community, an indigenous tribe, has struggled for centuries to join the mainstream. But now it looks like the youth of the community are taking it upon themselves to use education as a means to achieve that goal. My friend Mahesh Wagh (26), hails from the Dhasai village in Murbad. He has always been…
A dairy diary from Uttarakhand For the first time, Van Gujjars, traditional dairy farmers, feel they need govt assistance
10-Jul-2021
The Van Gujjar community has been dairy farmers for millennia. Rearing cattle, and trading in milk and milk products, is the way of life they have inherited from their ancestors. They move with the seasons, their animals graze off the lands along the migration routes, and produce milk that is then consumed and traded. However,…
Warp and weft of distress in Shantipur West Bengal’s weaving industry has suffered greatly due to the Covid-19 Lockdown
09-Jul-2021
The Covid-19 Lockdown may soon ease off in West Bengal, however there has been massive damage done already, as it virtually cut off livelihoods of weavers and workers associated with the textile industry. The lockdown is said to have affected over six lakh registered workers associated with the weaving industry. The worst affected districts, according…
Wives of Migrant Workers: A story of struggle amidst uncertainty CJP Grassroots fellows documents the plight of these women
09-Jul-2021
As the women, who stay behind in their villages to sustain migration by supporting their men, face acute distress amidst a prolonged lockdown, CJP fellows Ripon Sheikh and Tinku Sheikh speak to them and bring out their stories. Support CJP’s grassroots fellows to enable people from the marginalized communities document stories that are often ignored…
West Bengal: Wild elephant attacks and the human dilemma Residents of Ghar Salbani say they are spending days in terror
08-Jul-2021
In the seventies, Rajesh Khanna starrer Haathi Mere Saathi had created a magical image for many Indians, especially children. The emotional relationship between a human and an elephant, living in the forest, was endearing. However, real life is far removed from the fantasy woven on celluloid. Forest dwelling elephants are wild creatures, as wild as the tiger,…
Murshidabad: Crisis pours when it rains! Paddy farmers fear unseasonal rain, hail and government apathy above all
24-Jun-2021
Governments and seasons, both, change regularly, what does not change, is the fate of the farmer. This is the feeling in rural Bengal, a resignation of sorts, expressed by those who have been losing their jobs, and are getting pushed further into poverty due to the Covid-19 pandemic and lack of policies that can help…
How the lockdown has pushed mango farmers in Malda to the brink COVID induced lockdown and cyclone Yaas have affected their livelihoods
18-Jun-2021
West Bengal’s Malda is famous for its variety of mangoes, which are exported all around the country and internationally. But the COVID surge, subsequent lockdown and Cyclone Yaas have deeply impacted the business of the mango farmers. Unable to ship their yield in time and being forced to sell mangoes at a compromised price point,…