CHARKHA SANJOY GHOSE FELLOWSHIP FOR PEACE AND DEVELOPMENT
2004-2005

PRESS RELEASE

Charkha Development Communication Network has announced three media fellowships for journalists and others writing on peace and development in Kashmir Valley, Jammu and Ladakh region. The Charkha Sanjoy Fellowships for Peace and Development were initiated last year.

The fellowships, each of Rs.50,000 for six months, will be open to those writing in English or Urdu and in the age group 25 to 45 years. Last year two fellowships were given but they were limited to people from the Valley. This year the number has been increased and is open to people writing on these issues from the whole State.

Charkha, an NGO, established by social activist Sanjoy Ghose, who was abducted by the ULFA in 1997 and is missing since, enables the voices of the marginalised and disadvantaged to reach opinion leaders and policy makers through their writings in the media. For a decade, Charkha has been working incessantly to highlight the issues of the poor communities, often in remote rural regions using a variety of media. The motivation for the fellowship programme arises from this vision of Sanjoy and to encourage writings reflecting voices of peace, harmony, development and community initiatives in strife-torn regions. Despite bloodshed and violence, sustained local efforts go on bravely to bring life to normal.

The Fellowships will be screened by a selection committee comprising Mr. H.K Dua, Editor-in-Chief, The Tribune; Sir Mark Tully, former BBC Correspondent; Dr.Meenakshi Gopinath, Principal, Lady Shriram College, Ms.Sushoba Barve, activist and writer, Mr.Pushp Saraf, Advisor, Excelsior group; Mr. Muzamil Jaleel, Bureau Chief, The Indian Express, Srinagar, Mr. Mohammad Sayeed Malik, senior journalist (Kashmir) and Ms Usha Rai, senior journalist, Convener of the Fellowship programme and member of Charkha Governing Body .

Applications may be sent to :
Ms.Ashima Kaul Bhatia {Coordinator)
Charkha-Sanjoy Ghose Fellowships 2004-2005
Charkha Development Communication Network,
G-15/11-12 (Ground Floor), Malaviya Nagar,
New Delhi-110 017.

The last date for applications is Friday, November 12, 2004. The contact person at Charkha office is Sujata Raghavan. Contact telephone numbers are :011- 26680816/26680688 (Charkha office); 09891424002 (Ashima) and 09811217054 (Sujata). The e-mail id is fellowship@charkha.org. The Fellowship programme details are available on the website: www.charkha.org.