Charkha Announces

Sanjoy Ghose Media Fellowship 2013
For highlighting development issues of women in Ladakh

The Sanjoy Ghose Media Fellowship aims at providing a platform to writers who have the zeal to go beyond the usual and highlight invisible development issues of the women living in the rural borderlands.
The Fellowship shall provide an opportunity for writers to delve into the challenges faced by the women of rural disadvantaged communities and reflect the status of development as perceived by these women. The Fellowship will support in-depth research, travel and writing. The writings are expected to highlight little-known strengths and travails of the women of this remote but significant part of India with a view to bringing them into the mainstream development fold.







Theme
One Fellowship on Women as Flag-bearers of Change in Ladakh– individual women or groups of women, who fought structural, social norms in this tough geographical area to bring development and positive changes, be it in the field of education, economy, or saving their natural or cultural heritage.
One Fellowship on the “Contemporary Challenges of Women in Ladakh” – a view of the evolving nature of the socio-economic, geographic and cultural challenges faced by women in Ladakh. This can include how age old challenges reflect themselves differently in today's world.

Duration

Six months

Eligibility
The two Fellowships are open to writers with at least one year of professional experience in any field. Students pursuing graduation (final year) and post graduation can also apply.
Preference will be given to women writers from Ladakh region
Freelance writers and aspiring writers, as well as those interested in social issues of Ladakh, are encouraged to apply. Journalists associated with a publication or media house are eligible to apply. Previous Charkha Fellows and writers currently availing benefits of any other fellowship or a similar scheme of financial assistance are not eligible to apply

Application Guidelines

All potential applicants must submit the following as a part of their application; incomplete applications will not be submitted to the jury for consideration:

1. A detailed CV with information pertaining to educational qualifications, work experience and volunteer experiences
2. A Proposal of 800 words explaining the broad outline of the particular theme chosen by the applicant. This should include details like the relevance of theme in the context of Ladakh region today; key issue to be raised through writings, explaining how the writings can create any positive impact; and any experience of living or working in the area which has contributed to the choice of theme
3. Two articles published/unpublished over the past two years
4. Two letters of recommendation from persons in a related field who are known to the applicant professionally and not in any personal capacity
Applications may be sent by email to vermaachetna@gmail.com or chetna@charkha.org with the Subject: ‘Application for Sanjoy Ghose Media Fellowship (Ladakh) 2013’; or by post to:
Charkha Development Communication Network,
D – 1947, Palam Vihar, Gurgaon 122017, Haryana
All completed applications received shall be acknowledged by email

General

The selected Fellows will receive a fellowship of Rs 35,000/- each (subject to TDS
deductions) to support research, travel and writing in the given period.
The stipend will be released in two installments - the first as a travel grant at the start of the Fellowship Programme and the second after its successful completion
All Fellows will be required to attend sessions of a specially-designed ‘Mentoring Program’ as per schedule during the six months of the Fellowship that entails attending sessions in Delhi and elsewhere, with all expenses being covered by Charkha
The selected Fellows will be required to submit at least five well-researched articles in English, Hindi or Urdu with ten - fifteen high-resolution photographs on the chosen subject during the period of six months. At least two of these articles must be positive stories
Articles arising out of the Fellowship Programme must be submitted only to Charkha for publication through Charkha Features. Charkha has the right to get the articles published with due credit given to the writers without any additional payment
Copyright of all work will rest with the writers
Last date for receiving completed applications is 31 March 2013
For further queries contact –
Chetna Verma
09416202082