Community Correspondents

Shankarlal Raikwar

Shankarlal Raikwar belongs to a community that dances at festivals and carnivals for a living; he is also a farmer and a Community Correspondent. Shankarlal is an expert in performing feminine roles especially from mythological texts like the Mahabharata. He is proud of his art but unfortunately it makes him a point of ridicule in society. He is also worried about getting older, and about the ridicule his children may face as other children learn of his dancing profession. He looks at IndiaUnheard as a new beginning, a platform that he intends to use to spotlight the issues of marginalized and ostracized communities like the one he belongs to.

Videos from Shankarlal

‘No Road, No Vote’: Villagers Boycott Uttar Pradesh State Elections

 
/ February 28, 2022

Residents of Pathrai village in Lalitpur district of Uttar Pradesh have decided to not vote if a road is not constructed.

5,00,000 Farmers From Lalitpur, Uttar Pradesh Unable to Buy Fertilisers

 
/ November 1, 2021

In the absence of right conditions to earn, how will farmers' income be doubled by 2022?

Community Survey

15000 People Held in a Cowshed With Dead Animals: Vande Bharat Only for the Rich?

 
/ June 19, 2020

What does it look like when a large group of people are made to stay under an open sky with dead animals in the vicinity and no food, water or healthcare to support them?

No Cards

Introducing the Grassroot’s Ginseng Hero!

 
/ March 17, 2020

A brave step of a rural farmer frees himself from a debt of whopping 11 lakhs rupees and generates ample employment through Ginseng Cultivation.

Take Action

Why Farmer Suicides Continue in Uttar Pradesh

 
/ December 7, 2018

Despite Uttar Pradesh government’s loan waiver scheme, a farmer eligible for the scheme remains trapped in a debt-cycle.

When Children ‘Perform’ Gender

 
/ July 26, 2017

In rural Uttar Pradesh children exaggerate ‘femininity’ and ‘masculinity’ when performing gendered actions. But are things as black and white as they seem?

200 Village Residents hold Authorities Accountable for Lack of Work Under MGNREGA

 
/ June 16, 2017

In a small drought affected village in Uttar Pradesh, the community came together to solve systemic bureaucratic apathy and wrested the employment guaranteed under MGNREGA.

Community Voices powered by Lalit Lokvani in Uttar Pradesh

 
/ February 20, 2017

“Radio is such a medium that even while cooking we can listen to the news, music and folk songs.” shares a happy listener of Lalit Lokvani. Lalit Lokvani is a community radio station in Alapur village of Lalitpur district in Uttar Pradesh, catering to the needs of 120 villages in...