Contest Edition “Pobody’s nerfect.” THE GLOBAL TIMES | MONDAY, APRIL 8, 2019 Sanskruti Bharti, AIS Vas 1, XII B 2 Page Editor Ground Reporting A wave of change In the finest print A Tale of Women Who Give Voice To Those Who Can’t Speak For Themselves Pics: Kshitiz Saxena, AIS Vas 1, XII B Ground reporting Maansi Anand, XII C & Sanskruti Bharti, XII B, AIS Vas 1 n a sea of TRP vying and sensational headlines, ‘Khabar Lahariya’ seems Ito stand out, not just because it is the only women-run newspaper in India, but GT reporter interacts with a team member also because it (un)covers grave issues from unnoticed corners of the nation. With an aim to achieve an egalitarian so- ciety, this one is surely a welcome breeze in pages of yellow journalism. The beginning “Our journey didn’t have a rosy begin- ning, but we were excited to see how Team Khabar Lahariya with GT reporters Archives from the newsroom such a unique initiative works out.” Khabar Lahariya set out in 2002 in Chi- Awadhi and Bhojpuri dialects from Ma- accept the fact that local women were Any woman with a will to work for the porting (2012). But the publication finds trakoot, Madhya Pradesh, by a group of hoba, Lucknow and Varanasi respec- trying their hands at journalism. Never- society is welcome,” Kavita, Digital its biggest reward in the lives it touches. six women. Initially published in Bun- tively. Today, the newspaper also has theless, with time, people started warm- Head, says. The newspaper operates Harshita, Social Media Manager, shares, deli, the newspaper covered crime, pol- editions in Bajjikka dialect (Sitamarhi, ing up to this concept.” Presently there within a closely knit framework, prima- “It is moving when we see the women itics, social issues and entertainment Bihar). Khabar Lahariya now reaches are 40 women reporters and stringers as- rily centered on personal interaction who are not working with us anymore, events at the local level. With its focus five million people a month through sociated with the agency, all hailing with people of various professions. recommend us to other women.” on rural journalism, the newspaper en- multiple digital platforms. from the remote regions of the country. deavoured to bring out everyday stories The reward The road ahead of people living in areas where conven- The hurdles The operations “Our work inspires people, especially “It makes us so proud when we see the tional media does not reach. “Since most of us were working for the “We get in touch with different reporters women. That is our biggest reward.” number of shares and likes online.” first time in our lives, it was obvious that and also laymen who share their stories, This spirit of Khabar Lahariya has led In 2013, Khabar Lahariya launched their The journey we faced hurdles.” either in person or over phone.” them to win awards such as UNESCO online website, which is quite similar to “We’ve come a long way from being a Saher, a trainee producer shares, “Ini- Khabar Lahariya is written, edited, pro- King Sejong Literacy Prize in 2009, the newspaper and republishes some of publication of few copies to selling 6000 tially, we faced a lot of issues while try- duced, distributed and marketed entirely Amazing Indian Award by Times Now the popular stories printed in the news- copies in 600 villages in UP and Bihar.” ing to encourage women to be part of by rural women.“Women joining this in 2012 and Kaifi Azmi Award in 2013. paper. What makes the website unique The newspaper took a major leap in the paper. In fact, male reporters of local initiative need not be extremely quali- The newspaper even bagged the Laadli though is the fact that it is the only web- 2012 as it launched editions in Bundeli, media organisations found it difficult to fied; some of us are not even graduates. Media Award for gender sensitive re- site to offer content in local dialects.G T ewspap N er a C g o n n i t News Room k e a s t M AIS Vas-1 Blending of words Editor-in-chief Blending quality with content Blending of art Illustration in progress Blending of dedication Final editing of the pages Blending of ideas Page Editor at work For more pictures, log on to www.facebook.com/theglobaltimesnewspaper.