In the tribal heartland of Maharashtra’s Nandurbar district, a transformative initiative is reshaping the landscape of community engagement and governance. Aadiwasi Janjagruti, founded in 2016 by Nitesh Bhardwaj during his SBI Youth for India fellowship, harnesses the power of mobile journalism to amplify tribal voices and address local issues.
Key Highlights
- Genesis of the Movement: Nitesh Bhardwaj began by teaching local high school students in Dhadgaon to shoot and edit videos using mobile phones. Their initial zero-budget video garnered significant attention, laying the foundation for Aadiwasi Janjagruti.
- Community-Driven Content: Collaborating with local residents Rakesh and Arjun Pawara, the team produces videos in indigenous languages like Pawari, Bhilori, and Ahirani. Topics range from child labour and sanitation to corruption and access to government schemes.
- Impactful Storytelling: The initiative’s videos have led to tangible outcomes:
- In Aamkhedi village, a video on water scarcity prompted authorities to install six borewells.
- A stalled road project in Umrani village was completed after being highlighted by the team.
- A 16-year-delayed bridge project in Dhadgaon received government sanction of ₹45-47 crore following a series of videos.
- Fostering Leadership: Beyond media production, Aadiwasi Janjagruti empowers community members to take on leadership roles, facilitating communication between villagers and government officials.
- Recognition and Awards: The initiative has received accolades such as the Social Media for Empowerment Award and was featured in the SDSN Youth Solutions Report 2020.
Vision for the Future
Aadiwasi Janjagruti envisions a future where tribal communities are not just passive recipients but active participants in governance and development. By equipping locals with the tools and training to document and address their challenges, the initiative aims to foster a more inclusive and responsive administrative framework.
