Programs & Activities

The Programs & Projects are categorized into two distinct areas for the rural & marginalized communities

1. Development in the Areas of Conflict

2. Distance Area programs

Development in the Areas of Conflict

As conflict becomes an increasingly inevitable aspect of India’s present-day reality, and isolated incidents have morphed into an insidious pattern threatening the development of the nation, both economically and socially, thus necessitating an urgent and consolidated search for solutions.

Working on development activities can enable the creation of peaceful solutions built on an acknowledgment of genuine grievances. It is crucial that the voices of the affected people be heard and understood, so that strategies for intervention and/or development can be based on authentic information and result in positive, focused and effective changes.

It is this need for authentic and reliable information that Charkha endeavors to highlight the voices of the conflict-affected communities across states. At present, Charkha is preparing a research study on people’s perception on conflict in Chattisgarh By conducting detailed socio-economic studies; Charkha also seeks to build a comprehensive understanding of the situation that can form the basis of intervention by interested agencies working in the identified areas.

Distance Area programs

The Distant Areas Programme seeks to bring children together from different parts of the country through the exchange of information and experiences across the many distant and remote regions of India. The activities are aimed at reducing an acute sense of isolation felt by these children and bridging the distances between children’s groups to instill a sense of integration with culturally diverse communities across ‘mainland’ India.

This Programme represents a unique partnership between local communities, State, Civil Society Organizations and Media.

The first Project under the Distant Areas Programme is in one of the most remote areas of the country, the Andaman & Nicobar Islands. Conducting environment-based activities for children is considered an appropriate forum to initiate the six-year Project, since the Islands are a global biodiversity hotspot and it is critical that the local communities be involved in its conservation. Building a cadre of responsible and sensitive future citizens is expected to strengthen the efforts towards environmental protection.

English Feature Service

The English Feature Service continues its efforts to generate stories and tap the media. Apart from newspapers like The Pioneer, Sahara Time, The Indian Express and magazines like Civil Society several online news and information resources have also carry Charkha articles.

Hindi Feature Service

The features sent by Hindi Feature Service are regularly published in leading newspapers like Jansatta, Hindustan, Punjab Kesari, Amar Ujala, Rashtriya Sahara, Lokmat Samachar, Deshbandu among others.  New publications have shown a response to Charkha articles.

Urdu Features Service

The Urdu Feature Service has grown inspite of the fact that Urdu newspapers do not pay the writers for contributing articles. Charkha articles have been published by 'Qaumi Awaz', 'Rashtriya Sahara', 'Akhbar e Mashriq', 'Mustaqbil' Delhi Edition, and others like 'Sahafat' , 'Qaumi Khabrain' (Lucknow); 'Farooqui Tanseem', (Ranchi); 'Munsif' (Hyderabad) ;'Inqueelab' (Mumbai) and 'Sangam'(Bihar). The widely known website www.urdustan .com is accepting Charkha stories.

Charkha launched its Urdu Features on October 2, 2005, in dedication to the Father of our Nation, Mahatma Gandhi, who believed in and advocated peace and development. Charkha continues to strive to achieve his ideals. As in the case of the Hindi and English Features, the focus is on development issues of the rural and marginalized communities.

E-Newsletter

Charkha’s trilingual (English, Hindi and Urdu) e- newsletter is being produced bimonthly and sent to a large number of friends and supporters of Charkha comprising of media, social orgnaistions and individuals. It carries select stories, events and is at times associated with a theme, to mark an idea or event which holds significance. It also provides continuous feedback and response from the readership.

Communication Skill Building Workshops

Charkha has taken its expertise in capacity building of communication skills to empower rural communities and build up a cadre of writers connected with grassroots issues. Interventions have taken place in different regions, some which have been opened up as well as new areas.

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