An all-womens team brings out Indias only Bundeli newspaper…Joeanna Rebello I TNN
Mumbai: Take a group of women from the wastelands of Bundelkhad in UP. Enrol them in a six-month long adult literacy programme. Fortify them with the ideals of independence and gender equality. Then, show them how to put the fundamentals into practice. What you get is a rare kind of journalism that makes news for its uncommon news coverage.
Buoyed by the Delhi-based NGO Nirantar which focuses on education and gender-related programmes, the newspaper Khabar Lahariya set up office in May 2002, in Chitrakoot. Four years later, another edition was launched in neighbouring Banda and the total circulation rose to 4,000.
Wo-manned by a contingent of 10 from those parts, Khabar Lahariya (Waves of News) has acquired the distinction of being the only paper written in Bundeli, the dialect of Bundelkhand. But the actual plaudit lies in the fact that the paper is produced entirely by womenfrom the natal stage of news-gathering and writing, to editing, production and even distribution.
A gender minority that crossed the rubicon of caste and class (many of the journalists are Dalits, Kols and Muslims), these women had to also jump family fences and official paling. This is not the job for women, our husbands would say, says Nazne, one of the reporters. As if we are just decorative pieces.
Initially, only intent on mapping women and their development, the news team decided to take a broader viewof politics, corruption, violence, health issues, administrative transgressions, world affairs and general subjects that would inform the attitudes and way of life of their readers. We were the ones who told the local people about the free treatment every pregnant woman is due at the hospital, says Mira, editor of the Chitrakoot edition. Until then, the doctors withheld this concession from them and pocketed the money.
Their brand of intrepid reportage and fear of no authority has earned them taunts and threats, but no bodily harm till date. Goons and politicians have tried to arm twist us and censor our reports, but we have always printed the truth, says Shanti, the most tenacious reporter of the lot. Initially, local officials would dismiss us when we approached them for their side of a subject. But after they saw our commitment and the popularity of the paper, they treat us with greater respect, adds Mira.
The journalists often travel as far as 50 kms by any means of transport to get a story. The women are frequently instructed by the women of Nirantar, with lessons in politics, (We didnt even know who the prime minister was before this, says Mira) photography and page layout. Two days before the news is sent to the press at Allahabad, the women spend two entire days at the workshop, sometimes, with children in tow. Our husbands object to this, and they even hang around outside the workshop waiting, laughs Nazne.
Khabar Lahariya has made even the competition sit up and take notice. Sometimes their micro-coverage gives bigger papers like Dainik Jagran and Amar Ujala their leads. Official recognition came their way in 2004, when they won the prestigious Chameli Devi Jain award for Outstanding Media-persons. Unofficial recognition came in the guise of letters, feedback, and more recentlyadvertisements.
Buoyed by the Delhi-based NGO Nirantar which focuses on education and gender-related programmes, the newspaper Khabar Lahariya set up office in May 2002, in Chitrakoot. Four years later, another edition was launched in neighbouring Banda and the total circulation rose to 4,000.
Wo-manned by a contingent of 10 from those parts, Khabar Lahariya (Waves of News) has acquired the distinction of being the only paper written in Bundeli, the dialect of Bundelkhand. But the actual plaudit lies in the fact that the paper is produced entirely by womenfrom the natal stage of news-gathering and writing, to editing, production and even distribution.
A gender minority that crossed the rubicon of caste and class (many of the journalists are Dalits, Kols and Muslims), these women had to also jump family fences and official paling. This is not the job for women, our husbands would say, says Nazne, one of the reporters. As if we are just decorative pieces.
Initially, only intent on mapping women and their development, the news team decided to take a broader viewof politics, corruption, violence, health issues, administrative transgressions, world affairs and general subjects that would inform the attitudes and way of life of their readers. We were the ones who told the local people about the free treatment every pregnant woman is due at the hospital, says Mira, editor of the Chitrakoot edition. Until then, the doctors withheld this concession from them and pocketed the money.
Their brand of intrepid reportage and fear of no authority has earned them taunts and threats, but no bodily harm till date. Goons and politicians have tried to arm twist us and censor our reports, but we have always printed the truth, says Shanti, the most tenacious reporter of the lot. Initially, local officials would dismiss us when we approached them for their side of a subject. But after they saw our commitment and the popularity of the paper, they treat us with greater respect, adds Mira.
The journalists often travel as far as 50 kms by any means of transport to get a story. The women are frequently instructed by the women of Nirantar, with lessons in politics, (We didnt even know who the prime minister was before this, says Mira) photography and page layout. Two days before the news is sent to the press at Allahabad, the women spend two entire days at the workshop, sometimes, with children in tow. Our husbands object to this, and they even hang around outside the workshop waiting, laughs Nazne.
Khabar Lahariya has made even the competition sit up and take notice. Sometimes their micro-coverage gives bigger papers like Dainik Jagran and Amar Ujala their leads. Official recognition came their way in 2004, when they won the prestigious Chameli Devi Jain award for Outstanding Media-persons. Unofficial recognition came in the guise of letters, feedback, and more recentlyadvertisements.