I come from the Musahar community, which is one of the most marginalized in our country. We face countless challenges—not just in basic areas like education, health, housing, and employment, but also in political representation. Shockingly, many of us didn’t even have citizenship, leaving us effectively stateless.
At just 17, I had the opportunity to attend a workshop hosted by Tanneri Chaso. Until then, I wasn’t fully aware of my political rights, or how deeply our community’s rights were being ignored. The workshop opened my eyes to the importance of speaking up and demanding change. I learned not only how to ask critical questions but also how to use technology and evidence to share the untold story of my people.
That workshop was a turning point in my life. Empowered by what I had learned, I began raising crucial issues like citizenship, unemployment, and the lack of representation in elections. After years of being stateless, I finally secured my citizenship—a victory that Tanneri Chaso played a key role in. Their unwavering support, regardless of where I came from, gave me the strength to keep fighting until I achieved justice.
Today, I am a teacher, working towards a government job, and I owe so much of my growth and confidence to this incredible network. Being an alum of Tanneri Chaso’s New Media and Debate Workshop has truly been a highlight of my life. It gave me not just skills, but a belief in the power of my own voice and the strength of community. For that, I will always be grateful.