Creative Partners: Behanbox & Chitrakoot Collective

Mein Meera Bharti Banna chahti hu

This is the first zine from Sapno Ka Haq. Even after 74 years of independence, the participation of women in politics is dismal. In Lok Sabha, they constitute 14% of members while in Vidhan Sabha, this number stands at just 7%. The participation of women is better at Gram Panchayat, Municipal Corporation, and Zila Parishad level due to the 33% reservation for women. Against this backdrop emerges a firebrand politician: Meera Bharti. A lawyer by profession, Meera is a Zila Parishad member of Chitrakoot’s Saria ward in Uttar Pradesh. Born to a poor Dalit family, Meera has overcome many challenges in life–poverty, child marriage, etc. Yet, she overcame her situation to fight for women’s rights and is a role model for young girls in UP and beyond.

Sapno ka safar

The second zine from Sapno Ka Haq, this takes the reader to meet Bulbul and Faiza. They have travelled a long way from their homes in villages of Bihar and Uttar Pradesh to pursue their dreams. They have struggled against societal norms that have limited their dreams, ambitions, education, freedom and movement. What dreams do Bulbul and Faiza have? Will their families and societies let them pursue their dreams? Does the burden of care work ever leave their minds? As girls, do they get second or third or fourth chances to fulfil their aspirations?

Anju Aur Nagma

Young people have a lot of dreams. Yet, not every dream comes true. Nevertheless, the feeling of dreams turning to reality is a surreal one.Anju and Nagma have dreams too.

Both are residents of the same town in Bundelkhand, but their stories cannot be more different. Anju, who belongs to a Dalit family, wants to become a doctor but her family’s financial situation does not allow her to. Nagma, who had to quit school after her father died, wants to become an actress. This episode, which follows the dreams and aspirations of Anju and Nagma, mirrors existing and rising inequality in the society. 

Akansha Yadav

The third zine from Sapno Ka Haq is about Akanksha Yadav, a national level baseball player who has won 11 national awards. A resident of the small town of Chhatarpur, she was just seven when she was fascinated by baseball after seeing the game being played by boys in a stadium in her town. Despite being discouraged to play the game because of her small frame, she continued with her interest and formed a team in her school. Her team then went on to play at a national level. Today, she coaches other girls who want to pursue the sport and breaks existing gender norms.

Do Dost: Deepak Aur Himanshu

Deepak and Himanshu are two friends who live in UP’s Bundelkhand. Both had similar financial status as children but their situation drastically changed with time. Deepak wants to be a teacher and Himanshu aspires to have a good office job. While Deepak is hopeful about his future, Himanshu’s dreams are shrouded with uncertainty. This episode we examine how unforeseen circumstances can drastically change the trajectories of two friends who otherwise led a similar life.

Mujhse Friendship karoge?

The fourth zine from Sapno Ka Haq is based on the social media and technology usage in rural and semi urban India in the form of a social media platform.

Monika Banegi Designer

Monika is a student and simultaneously pursuing her passion of tailoring clothes through a home-run enterprise. She has two sisters who are older than her and live in Delhi. Together they are breaking the shackles of patriarchy. Monica not only dreams big but has the courage and the vigour to achieve them. The glitz and glamour of the fashion industry often makes one think that only people living in big cities dream of being a part of it. But, Monica thinks differently. Not only does she dream of becoming a fashion designer, but is also actively working to fulfill her aspiration. In addition to this, she shares the financial burden of running a household with her father, and helps her mother with the daily household chores .

Ek Anjali, anek Anjaliyan

The fifth zine from Sapno Ka Haq is about Anjali Rajput, an adolescent girl who is forming Kishori Dals ( adolescent groups) of girls to fight the prevalent gender norms, child marriages and spreading the message of equity and equality in villages across UP. This zine is based on her story.

Shakila Ki Udaan

Shakila beat the odds and undertook an inspiring journey from Araria, Bihar, to Durham University in England. Shakeela was married as a child and escaped her abusive marriage. She then went on to build a fulfilling life for herself. A bright young woman from the most backward Nat community in Bihar, she has big dreams for herself. She dreams of working for the betterment of the Nat community. Her right to dream is important because only 5% girls from the Nat community are able to complete their education. The landless nomadic community earns a living through street performance art and has high rates of child marriage.

Aao, school chalein hum

The sixth zine from Sapno Ka Haq explores the effects of the pandemic. The pandemic has widened the already existing inequities in the society. This is most starkly visible in the education of children, who have struggled with lack of access to technology and missed out almost 2 years of schooling. What has been the impact on their lives, dreams and aspirations?