Aug 31 2025 to Aug 31 2025 11 a.m.

Where

Bangalore International Centre

7 4th Main Rd, Stage 2, Domlur 560071

Event Description

Writing for social change is not just about crafting clever lines for impact. It’s about examining our assumptions, critiquing our positions of privilege, owning up to the gaps in our understanding, and above all else, listening. Especially listening and seeing the billion plus Indians who build our cities, grow our food, and craft objects of our daily use – like cricket balls. But are newspapers and magazines, television and social media, giving us a complete and accurate picture of our country? Our celebrities, sporting icons and billionaires are routinely covered by the media.

The majority of India lives and works beyond that spotlight. They are our waste pickers, migrant construction workers, small farmers, people living in and around forests, craftspeople, musical instrument makers, herders and more. They speak over 700 languages, celebrate hundreds of diverse faiths and gods, have practiced music and art for centuries. It’s a magical repository.

The People’s Archive of Rural India (PARI), founded by veteran journalist P. Sainath in 2014, explores the kind of journalism that looks at issues behind events as it creates an archive of stories, photos and films on everyday lives and livelihoods. Journalistic writing, when done well, is a window into this universe. Priti David will be drawing on her fieldwork and PARI stories from rural areas across the country to show how journalistic stories are shaped – from ideation and reporting to editing and publishing.

What to expect:

The skills of storytelling: sensitisation, ideation, interviewing, researching, writing, photographing and filming.
To see how journalistic practices can inform perspective and a better understanding of good, honest journalism and its role in our democracy.
How democracy works on the ground, to question governance.
To feel empowered about your role as a citizen.
The tools to start journalistic writing.
Please bring:

Notebook / laptop
Any samples of journalistic writing you would like to share for feedback
Burning questions!
This workshop is part of the Everyday FACES of Everyday People exhibition, on display at BIC, from Aug 28 to Aug 31.

In collaboration with:

Facilitator

Priti David
Executive Editor, PARI
Priti David is the Executive Editor at the People’s Archive of Rural India (PARI). Priti writes, photographs and films stories on forests, Adivasis, women, education, health, and livelihoods in rural India. She leads a team of in-house and freelance reporters and editors working across the country, documenting news and issues that impact rural populations and migrants from there. Priti is visiting faculty at several universities. She has recently designed the first-ever media syllabus for grades 9 and 11 in the Delhi state schools. She began her career with The Economic Times in 1989. She is the author of Jamuna Begs to Differ (2023) and Coming Home (listed on the Parag Honours List for 2022), both novels for ages 10-14 years, published by Karadi Tales.