Khabar Lahariya is India’s only women’s news organization. Based in Uttar Pradesh, its journalists passionately believe in reporting rural issues through a feminist lens. The Women’s News Organization is the subject of an award-winning documentary. Filmmakers have portrayed her character as strong and courageous.
The woman narrates how a group of four men broke into her house and raped her; Did she go to the police? Yes, but so far six times the authorities have refused to investigate. Instead, they threatened her and her husband. “These men can do anything. They can even kill us,” the victim reporter tells Meera. As Meera leaves, the woman’s husband tells her that he is their only hope.
We do not trust anyone except Khabar Lahariya.
Now, Khabar Lahariya is the subject of a documentary, “Writing With Fire”, shot over five years by my wife and husband team Rintu Thomas and Sushmit Ghosh. Her film has harrowing interviews with victims of violence, but it is an inspiring portrait of a team of exceptionally talented and committed women.