Gram Sabha ki Kahani is an initiative of Gram Swashasan Abhiyan, developed by Akhra Ranchi, and supported by Azim Premji Foundation. The initiative is spearheaded by the Centre for Local Democracy in collaboration with Philanthropy.

The focus is to create compelling stories from various parts of rural Jharkhand on the importance of strong local democratic institutions. 

This includes stories of 

• change and innovation, 
• representation, and
• participative action.

Watch our videos and listen to our podcasts to learn more.

Videos

The role of the Panchayat in Gram Sabhas | Arya Panchayat

Jacinta Bage, the head of the Arya Panchayat of Basia block (Gumla district), is taking her Panchayat in new directions. Her leadership is built on trust, commitment and goodwill, earning her election three times in a row. As the Mukhya, Jacinta has effortlessly driven better coordination between the Panchayat and the Gram Sabha, resulting in problems being solved quickly and effectively for the people of Arya. 

Representative decision-making | Turka

This video looks at Gram Sabhas as a crucial instrument of democracy through the example of Turka village. Here, the Mal Paharia, a special tribal group (the weakest section of their village), were protected from being displaced from the village with the support of their Gram Sabha. Despite the challenges of powerful institutions, the collective strength of the Gram Sabha helped the most vulnerable group of Turka access their rights and entitlements.

Gram Sabhas and Disaster Management | Lupungpath

The Gram Sabha of Lupungpath village (Gumla district) inspired many villages through their active and collective decision-making during COVID-19. Together they found solutions to ensure children in their village sustained their learning, residents accessed key provisions from MNREGA, and limit the spread of the virus in their village. This story is a clear example of collective will, commitment, and the Gram Sabha to make things happen during a crisis.

Participative planning | Lupungpath village

In this video, we will see how residents of Lupungpath village got access to clean drinking water through the collective efforts of the Gram Sabha. Here, the strengthening of their Gram Sabha opened up possibilities to drive their own development story and help them recognise their rights and for a well-being-centred future for its people.

Forest Rights | Baranga Munda Tola

This film shows the change taking place for the people of Baranga Munda Tola in Manoharpur, Jharkhand. The collective power and action of their Gram Sabha is not only protecting their forests, but also mobilising Community Forest Rights on the basis of the Forest Rights Act 2006.

Women’s Participation | Rampur

In Rampur, a small village in Chainpur block of Jharkhand, women collectives are owning public decision-making. Through their participation in the Gram Sabha, the women of Rampur are leading decisions on development, and infrastructure – shaping their Village Development Plan.

Youth Leadership | Kashiyapecha, Manoharpur

In Kashiyapecha, a village in Manoharpur, Nandlal Surin, a 20-year-old village head is taking his village in a new direction, understanding the full power of his Gram Sabha. Nandlal has initiated a rights and entitlement approach for his village development plan and is actively preparing its implementation on the ground.

Podcasts

Youth Leadership in Gram Sabhas | Kasyapecha village

Nandlal Surin, a 20-year-old from Kasyapecha village, is leading his village in new directions. With the support of his Gram Sabha, Nandlal hopes to inspire action, and aspiration for the people of his village. 

The role of the Panchayat in Gram Sabhas | Arya Panchayat

Jacinta Bage, the head of the Arya Panchayat, speaks about her experience as the Mukhya, what it takes to build trust, commitment and goodwill among the people, and how the Panchayat and Gram Sabha can work together for effective results. 

Representative decision-making | Turka village

Turka has proven to be a strong example of local governance as a crucial instrument for representative, decision-making. We speak to the people of Turka on their collective strength to help the most vulnerable group access their rights and entitlements.

Participative planning | Lupungpath village

This podcast tells the story of Lupungpath village, where once residents had to walk several kilometres to fetch drinking water. Today, through the collective power of their Gram Sabha, there are three water towers in the village.

Forest Rights | Baranga Munda Tola

In this podcast, listen to how the people of Baranga Munda Tola in Manoharpur, Jharkhand are using their collective power and action to protect their forests, and mobilise Community Forest Rights on the basis of the Forest Rights Act 2006.

Part 1

Part 2

Women’s Participation | Rampur

In Rampur, a small village in Chainpur block of Jharkhand, women collectives are owning public decision-making.

Know more about the Centre for Local Democracy, Azim Premji University, here.