Citizens for Justice and Peace
CJP’s Fantastic Four Meet the youth leaders who were awarded the CJP Grassroots Fellowship 2020-2021
25-Dec-2021
It cannot be called a typical scholarship, given how the Citizens for Justice and Peace (CJP) Grassroots Fellowship completed its first year in 2021, is unique in many ways. The four young people chosen this year have displayed rare talent and helped showcase stories of real people living with limited resources, often crushing poverty, in…
Diwali may be over, but festive memories linger on A sneak peek into the flavours and fragrances of a tribal celebration
23-Nov-2021
Diwali has gone by, but as it is one of the biggest festivals of the tribal community, the sweet taste of the celebrations lingers on. And a perfect way to recall that enthusiasm is to share the history of the foods that are a central part of the celebrations. The festivities, like farm and forest…
The golden glow of marigold garlands is the season’s signature Traditional torans made by Adivasi artisans add beauty to festvities
11-Nov-2021
“Hurry up kids. You work less and chat more,” Jayashree Parade was prodding her children to work faster as they all threaded marigold flowers to make the beautiful garlands which are a must have for all significance prayers and occasions in India. In order to protect and preserve these freshly flowers on the plateau, the…
Meet Subhangi Chavan: Tough security guard, single mother… and poet “Reading and writing give me strength,” says the inspirational young woman from Pune
25-Oct-2021
30-year-old Subhangi Chavan is often spotted reading a book, or writing in a diary in her free time. She seldom has free time though and her work is tough, requiring her to be tougher. Shubhangi works as a security guard and is stationed at the gates of Rashtra Seva Dal-Pune. She is sporty and fit, and…
Koli Bhaji: A feast fit for Gods! Unique rain invoking ceremonies involve offering local vegetables, and performing the Kamadi folk dance
15-Sep-2021
“पाण्या देवा येशी कवा ? नारायणा देवा नवस केला” sing a group of Adivasis, praying to the rain gods to bless them. Their song roughly translated into English goes something like this: “Oh rain gods please shower your blessing on us. Don’t be upset we have prayed to Lord Narayan.” For generations tribal communities have…
Support a CJP fellow today CJP grassroots fellows are making a difference on the ground
11-Aug-2021
Ripon sheikh, Mamta Pared, Meer Hamza and Tinku Sheikh. CJP’s grassroots fellows belong to different marginalized communities that we have been working with. Through our grassroots fellows, CJP aims to build a community of on ground researchers and community leaders who are passionate about exploring issues that impact them. Support our Fellowship Program. Visit here.…
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…
Meet Ramu Ghumman, the happiest man in Vasai A labourer who eats only when he earns, yet never complains
29-May-2021
He sat there going about his work quietly, when I approached him. I did not want to startle him and had just taken a candid photo of him. I wanted to show it to the old man and ask if I could use it for my report. I wanted to know his name and age.…
Migration is not really a choice Adivasi community members travel in family groups to Ambadi, ‘settle down’ near the roadside
26-May-2021
Ambadi is a small town in Bhiwandi taluka. As it is a centrally located area, many people from the Jawahar and Mokhada talukas of Palghar district migrate, often on foot, to this place in search of work. They belong to the Thakur, Warli, Katkari communities and travel in family groups. However, once they reach, the…
Kaulale: All is not idyllic in this picture perfect village Villagers migrate in droves to escape unemployment, caste conflict and water scarcity
21-May-2021
Nestled in the heavily forested Jawhar taluka of Palghar district, lies a sleepy little village called Kaulale. While it is breathtakingly beautiful and looks like it was plucked out of the pages of a children’s storybook, the village is struggling. There is widespread unemployment, water scarcity and caste conflict. “Everyone thinks that education will change…