 Souparna Lahiri has been a social activist since 1985, having worked with PUCL (People’s Union for Civil Liberties), Butterflies (Delhi based NGO), Center for Education and Communication and lastly with Delhi Forum. He has worked on issues of the rights of street children, campaigned for the labour rights of the informal sector, bonded labour, fishworkers etc. He has also been engaged with many small people’s movements in the northeast and other tribal regions of India. He is a prolific writer and has published articles in many journals and magazines. His intellectual work is informed and shaped by reality at the grassroots.
During his work with the Delhi Forum he has interacted closely with leaders like Medha Patkar and Thomas Kocherry. Souparna has interacted with various ministries of the Central Government and has a good understanding of the processes required in engaging with the State.
Lahiri sees himself as a campaigner and a campaign builder, trying to bring together many small movements and taking their voice to the corridors of power. His primary focus area for next couple of years will be northeast.
AID will strive to learn from Souparna Lahiri’s work in the northeast, the aspirations and perceptions of the people there; how issues and movements are connected at the local and national level and mechanisms of engaging with the State. We also hope to work with him on evaluating and critiquing policies put out by the government.
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