In Dubalia we were welcomed in a traditional way with innovative hand-made crowns of flowers and a pleasant folk song. I was introduced to a new concept of Raj mistries and Rani mistries who took a great initiative in Swaccha Bharat Abhiyan held in Jharkhand State. I found the Raj and Rani mistries so vibrant and mature. Not only the mistries but the whole village was quite aware of their duties and rights.

South Asian Women in Media (SAWM) is a network of women media professionals in South Asia. SAWM works for freedom of press, increased participation of women in the media, a gender-sensitive work environment and a gender-equal outlook in the media. Launched in April 2008, SAWM’s central secretariat is in Lahore, Pakistan and the association has country chapters in eight members of SAARC. SAWM helps women working in media to network across borders, and with international rights organizations, to assert their rights and defend their interests.