This is the second in the series Voices from the Field. We asked a few people, who work where the heart of India beats, what Independence means. In the rural areas, where people hardly know what Independence is, far as they are removed from the regulation Red Fort promises or A R Rehman’s pop patriotism, these unsung activists work day in and day out on the field for the uplift of the masses.
They are sharing their views on the meaning of Independence Day with us…

Meghnath
Welcome to Akhara. In a sleepy corner of this sleepy town, is a film studio. And this studio is manned by tribals who shoot films on issue that concern them like disoplacement of villages due to Koel Karo project, Netarhat firing range and so on. Meghnath, a NIFT pass-out, is the driving force behind them. () Saumyadeep Dutta
The large forest cover in Assam is rapidly depleting and along with it many species of animals are getting either extinct or endangered. Somu Deb, and his organisation Nature`s Beckon, has been doing vital work in the field of conservation of wildlife, awareness creation and environment education. () Sanat Chakraborty
There has always been a massive gap between social work at the grassroot level and the government. The actual development work also fails to catch the regional as well as the national media`s attention. Sanat Chakraborty makes the world know what is happening in the remote areas of North East region in general and meghalaya in particular. He also started Vikas Kebang with Sanjoy Ghosh in Majuli riverine island. ()
Sajay Sangvai
Narmada Bachao Andolan has received a lot of media attention since it turned into a mass movement. Many social activists have been sucked into its fold working for the hapless villagers who have been displaced by the monstrosity called Narmada Dam. Sajay Sangvai, writing in Marathi and English dailies on developmental issues, is part of the think tank of the movement. ()