Mahesh Kumar- Village Kara, District Kosambi, Uttar Pradesh Mahesh Kumar primarily reports on issues related to caste discrimination and equal rights . Mahesh Kumar became aware of his lower caste status when he began school. Teachers and peers constantly humiliated him on the basis of his caste. Lower caste members are often discouraged from attending school. The constant discrimination lowered his self-respect. As he grew older, he began to critically examine the absurdity of the culture of caste discrimination. Mahesh uses journalism to push for progress in areas related to caste and access to quality education. When Mahesh isn’t reporting on these issues, he helps his younger brother pursue his own education, despite the many setbacks. Mahesh believes that education is a key component of progressive development and positive cultural change. Through the medium of journalism, he works from within the community to change cultures of discrimination. His reporting creates change at the government level to improve the protection of equal rights and equal access to strong education. About the Partnership: The Poorest Areas Civil Society (PACS) Programme and Video Volunteers have come together to create the Community Correspondents Network. The videos generated by the network will be able to highlight voices from the margins, providing skills to social communicators to provide advocacy tools to community based organizations.