As a member of a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group, Shikha Pahadin feels that her work as a Community Correspondent is important because it gives primacy to issues that her isolated community faces. “There is a certain perception in the mainstream media that Tribal Groups are receiving many governmental benefits. People feel that things are simpler for us as we can…

Shikha Kumari Pahadin

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The marginalised and tribal people in rural India, women in particular, are largely unaware of their rights and entitlements under various state and national schemes. The primary reasons for this are the lack of education, awareness of schemes and guidance to help them claim their rights. Under such circumstances, the knowledgeable sometimes take undue advantage of the marginalised population. An unfortunate story was uncovered by Shikha, our community correspondent in Sahibganj, Jharkhand, who brings us the story of a widow who was cheated of her compensation and her pension by various men. 

Mangdi Paharin's husband was murdered in 2013. A tribal in Sahibganj district of Jharkhand, she had limited means to feed her family of six - two children and other family members. A local undertaker, who pretended to help her get compensation from a local tribal organisation cheated her upon receipt of the amount worth Rs 31,500. She faced a similar unfortunate tale of cheating at the hands of her fellow village residents too. When she withdrew her pension of Rs 6,400 worth 16 months (Rs 400 per month), she had to forcibly give away half of her widow pension to local men.

Call Lal Bihari Prasad, the SSuperintendentof Police in Sahebganj on +91-9939408302 to complain about the situation and get Mangdi justice. 

This video was made by a Video Volunteers Community Correspondent Shikha Paharin.

Community Correspondents come from marginalised communities in India and produce videos on unreported stories.
These stories are ’news by those who live it.’ They give the hyperlocal context to global human rights and development challenges.
See more such videos at www.videovolunteers.org. Take action for a more just global media by sharing their videos and joining in their call for change.