When Recognition Becomes Responsibility: CRY's Appreciation of Kashi

 Some moments remind us that writing can do more than tell stories—it can open conversations, build bridges, and reaffirm our shared commitment to justice.

I am deeply grateful to Soha Moitra, Regional Director – North, Child Rights and You (CRY), for her thoughtful letter appreciating our book, Kashi, co-authored with Chandra Mishra and Shruti Nagvanshi. Her reflections are not merely an acknowledgment of a publication; they recognize the voices of the people whose lives and struggles inspired the book.

In her letter, Soha writes that Kashi goes beyond portraying the city as a place of temples and rituals. Instead, it presents Kashi as a living civilization rooted in dignity, pluralism, compassion, and human solidarity, bringing forward the lived experiences of Dalits, Musahars, women, weavers, migrants, and other marginalized communities whose stories are too often left untold. She particularly appreciated the chapter "Narrative of Exclusion," highlighting its documentation of resilience and its connection with community initiatives supported through the Jan Mitra Nyas (JMN)–CRY partnership.

This recognition carries special meaning because it comes from an organization that has spent decades working to protect children's rights and strengthen community-led development across India.

The appreciation from CRY reinforces a central message of Kashi: the future of India cannot be understood only through monuments, infrastructure, or economic growth. It must also be understood through the dignity, aspirations, and participation of those who have historically remained at the margins.

As I wrote in my recent essay, "Kashi, Democracy, and the Future of India: Why the Voices at the Margins Matter," the true strength of democracy lies in making invisible lives visible and ensuring that development expands dignity for everyone. The conversations emerging around Kashi—from universities and policymakers to civil society organizations like CRY—demonstrate a growing recognition that inclusion, constitutional values, and social justice must remain at the heart of India's democratic journey.

I sincerely thank Soha Moitra and the entire CRY family for this encouraging appreciation. Such recognition strengthens our resolve to continue documenting stories of resilience, promoting constitutional values, and working toward an India where every voice matters.

Read the full essay:
https://medium.com/@lenin_75290/kashi-democracy-and-the-future-of-india-why-the-voices-at-the-margins-matter-585537d3463b