June 2016
Government Officials take a fair-step towards solving problems in Maharashtra
We have heard plenty about the apathy shown by government officials towards the problems of marginalised communities. On the other side, lack of awareness and knowledge about the various schemes that are there at their disposal becomes a hindrance for the communities, while demanding their rights. However, the government officials...
A Bad road is hindrance to progress in Bihar
The village of Sarpharwa in the East Champaran district of Bihar is home to Video Volunteer correspondent Tanju Devi. The village’s access to the basic necessities and amenities are reached through a journey to the nearest town Dongri. However, Tanju Devi and her community suffer as the journey on this...
A long wait for the old-age pension
Sumi Hunni Purti, 62, was an independent old woman from the village of Patrade in the state of Jharkhand. The last surviving member of her family, Sumi had been proudly sustaining herself with the Rs. 200 old-age pension that she was entitled to under the National Old Age Pension Scheme....
The fishing community of Madhya Pradesh suffers due to Narmada Dam
As the sun sets on the Narmada river in Madhya Pradesh (MP), an old fisherman recalls the days when his community was bestowed with abundance and prosperity. Madhubhai Machware nostalgically tells Chetan Salve, Video Volunteers’ correspondent, “Before this dam was built, we had led prosperous, happy lives. But in the...
Without Toilets, women wait for the dark
Swachh Bharat Abhiyan claims to have constructed around 80 lakhs toilets around the countryside across India yet our Community correspondent Usha reports a completely different picture of what is happening in the Batauwan village of Uttar Pradesh. Lack of toilets in the village is forcing these women to not relieve...
We will be her voice – Solidarity group stands by Handwara Survivor
Handwara was an irrelevant small town in Kupwara district of Kashmir until April 12th, 2016. A 16-year old schoolgirl had alleged that an Indian Army jawan had attempted to sexually molest her in a public toilet. The incidents shook the Kashmiri youth, and the rest of India into action, crying...
A Jharkhand village without electricity, yet pays bill
The residents of Dumnabad village of Jharkhand were a confused lot when they received a monthly electricity bill, for they had had no electricity in their village for a few months. The newly installed 10-Kv transformer, under the centre’s rural electrification scheme Deendayal Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Gram Jyoti Yojana (DDUGJY),...
Elugible 64 year old denied Old Age Pension
Gangi Munda, aged 64 years, lives in Andharikol village of Deogarh district in which 50 families belonging to indigenous adivasi community reside. Gangi , though eligible for pension under Madhu babu Pension Scheme , has been deprived of the benefits of this scheme for years. She has applied more than...