The Santals are among the largest and oldest adivasi (tribal) groups in the Indian subcontinent. Spread through Assam, West Bengal, Odisha, Jharkhand, Bihar, Nepal and Bangladesh, they are known for their distinct language, music, art and totemistic rituals. Their belief in natural spirits and high regard for animals and birds is evident in their craft for which bamboo, wood, animal hide or metal is typically used.
Classes being conducted at a Functional Literacy Centre in Purulia. There are 2,413 women learning the basics of reading, writing and arithmetic in 108 such centres across the district. (Credit: Pradan)
Around 5,000 women belonging to 350 SHGs, organised under two federations, 'Jhalda Nari Shakti Mahila Sangh' and 'Sabuj Sathi Nari Shakti Sangh', came together recently for a 'mahaadhiveshan', or mass meeting, held in the Barrabazar and Jhalda blocks of Purulia. (Credit: Jayanta Pal\WFS)
