Inspiring: a 62-year-old newspaper which is solely run by women for women

The nation might be debating about equal rights and status for women, but the people of Hoshangabad in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh have been a step ahead since a long time.

The local newspaper, Binna, is run entirely by women and this has been the case since 1953. Binna means Saheli in the local language.

How did it start?

Banwari Lal Chaudhary of Rohna village had established a 'Gram Seva Samiti' in 1953 which started publishing a paper that primarily focussed on raising awareness among the farmers.

Later, the theme of the paper changed and shifted focus towards women rights. The paper aims at spreading awareness among the women of the village and thrives to ensure their equal status in the society.

A special editorial board of majorly of women was formed for this purpose.

How does it function?

From the editor to reporters, the entire functioning of Binna is managed by women and educated women from nearby villages too work as reporters to sustain a system where they can share problems experienced by womenfolk from surrounding villages.

The paper is not sold or delivered to houses but it is put up on the walls of important places in the village.

Increase in demand

Initially, only 200 copies of the newspaper were published in the village. However, with growing demand from surrounding villages, the paper is now published in larger quantities. Women volunteers and reporters involved with the paper say that they are proud of this achievement.