By Kamla Bhasin (South Asia OBR regional coordinator)

I am delighted to share photos and some information about a brilliant, energetic One Billion Rising event in the City Hall of Lohardaga town, 80 kms from Ranchi, India. About 2800 women, men, girls and boys participated. Many local NGOs, schools, colleges, the Police department participated. The main organiser was an NGO called Hope and it’s founder, an amazing feminist Manorama Ekka, who is an alumna of the Sangat feminist Capacity Building Course. Two years ago I had gone there for the same event and was amazed to see the mobilization in the rural areas. People come from far and wide. They perform dances, songs, theater, chant slogans. Do see the photos.The next day local papers carry articles. It is difficult to get such response in big cities. Still, the myth is Feminism is an Urban and Middle class phenomenon.