Citizens for Justice and Peace
Pattachitra: Where paintings tell a story Hindus and Muslims sing and paint together, and hope that the tradition survives
10-Jan-2022
Till even a few decades ago, the tradition of Pattachitra locally pronounced as ‘pottachitra’ (fabric painting) and the music that accompanied it was thriving in many villages of West Bengal. Many are still known as the village of patta chitrakar, or artist. However, very few artists in these villages are seen drawing patta, most have…
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…
Help! Our children are forgetting how to read the alphabet Schools shut, no online access, rural children have forgotten what they had once learnt
03-Dec-2021
Many schools have been shut for so long due to the Covid-19 pandemic, most children in rural India, who do not have access to online classes have almost forgotten whatever little they had once learnt. One can see the impact, as these children seem to have no connection with books, they focus that they and…
The eternal romance of traditional farming may soon be folklore A rare insight into the wooden plough, that may soon be seen only in a museum
29-Nov-2021
Modern technology and science have given us many efficient tools. However, they lack the emotional connect of traditional tools, even though they get the job done faster. Images of many of these older inventions are slowly being pushed into sepia toned photos to be framed, or tucked away in books. The wooden plough with its…
Silence of the Bauls Traditional folk musicians of Birbhum facing financial crisis even after end of lockdown
13-Oct-2021
Bauls or traditional folk singers from West Bengal’s Birbhum region have had an especially harrowing time during the Covid-19 pandemic, particularly during the Lockdown period. And now, even though the Lockdown has been lifted gradually, they are still struggling to put their lives back on track. Who are the Bauls? Sung by wandering minstrels Baul…
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.…
CJP Impact: Churki Hansda goes from being called “Dayan” to “Di” Once accused of being a witch, this Covid Warrior is now an icon in Birbhum
05-Aug-2021
Remember Churki Hansda? Her inspirational story, published on the CJP website, has created waves across West Bengal. People are amazed that Churki Hansda, a Covid Warrior known for rushing oxygen concentrators, cylinders and medicines to the most deprived homes, herself had to struggle to survive a life of hardship. Many were shocked to find out…
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…
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…
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…