“Are we not 'ladki bahins' too?” wonder some women from migrant families of Chinchpada, Airoli in Thane. When the Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana was launched, these low-income families hoped to benefit from the scheme, which promises women a monthly financial assistance of Rs 1,500 if their family’s annual income does not exceed Rs 2,50,000. This initiative seems like it would offer some relief to low-income migrant worker families in Chinchpada. However, it raises the question: who qualifies as a 'Ladki Bahin' (ladki bahin means dear sister)? A key barrier is the lack of essential documentation, such as Aadhaar cards,…
Read moreArticles by Joshua Raymond Fernandes
Joshua Raymond Fernandes is dedicated to community-driven initiatives that advocate for the rights and well-being of people and the environment. He currently works with Dira Foundation, whose initiatives support marginalised women and children, and have co-founded 'Local Threads,' a collective focused on combating individualism by fostering safe, local communities.