Who We Are
We are a digital media social enterprise founded in 2015 by a diverse team of rural and urban media practitioners, with over 20 years of experience producing local language content especially with and for rural audiences.
Chambal Media's mission is to bring the perspectives and involvement of women on the margins into the digital revolution in India.
With this vision, Chambal Media produces multimedia content on youth, gender, tech, culture, environment, climate change etc in different formats like short and long feature documentaries, animation, podcasts, photo features, academic digital videos, tool kits and live events on current issues for local, national, and international audiences.
What We Do
We believe that understanding society from the perspective of those most marginalised can be empowering and transformative and is necessary for social change; and that hyperlocal content produced by communities is key to hold the largest democracies up to accountability.
With this vision, we enable and produce multimedia content on youth, gender, tech, culture, development, short feature documentaries and live debates on current issues for local, national and international audiences. We are interested in having the media product travel to the last mile, where engaging, accurate, relevant news and information, local and global, is rarely seen or heard. In order to bridge online and offline, highly engaged audiences, we use closed social media networks, as well as open platforms such as Youtube, and open-air community events. We also plan and execute customised digital media campaigns nationally.
The Board
Shalini is the co-founder of Khabar Lahariya and serves as the Director and a member of the Advisory Board at Chambal Media. She is currently the Program Director for Training and Network at Meedan.
Disha is the Co-founder of Chambal Media, a company which hosts the rural news brand, Khabar Lahariya. She is currently a non-executive director on the board at Chambal Media. She has a Masters degree in Gender Studies from the University of Warwick, and is an Acumen Fellow and South Asia Speaks Writing Fellow. She is currently completing a collective biography of Khabar Lahariya, on a New India Foundation fellowship.
Disha enjoys travelling to far-flung locations, reporting and writing, and imagining how a small and radical media house can change the world. She has worked in publishing and as a journalist before her journey with Khabar Lahariya.
Kavita Devi is the Co-CEO at Chambal Media & Co-Founder of Khabar Lahariya. At Khabar Lahariya, she works closely with the Managing Editor and the reporters' network to uphold and improve the editorial quality and standards. At Chambal Media, she oversees operations, drives organisational expansion and sustainability. Viewed as a formidable figure of inspiration and empowerment locally and globally, especially for women, Kavita is also a TED speaker.
A nature lover, Kavita enjoys long walks and cares for stray cats and dogs, many of whom she shelters and feeds.
Priya Thuvassery is the Co-CEO of Chambal Media and an independent documentary filmmaker focused on challenging gender inequality by amplifying women’s voices. With over 15 years of experience, she has worked with PSBT, NDTV, CNA, and the Films Division of India to produce impactful films like Coral Woman, Survey Number Zero, City Girls, and My Sacred Glass Bowl. A Global Ford Fellow, INLAKS Fellow, and Canon Cinema EOS Ambassador, Priya is a former Co-Director of the IAWRT Asian Women’s Film Festival and an alumna of Jamia Millia Islamia.
An avid storyteller and passionate traveler, Priya is always seeking new stories to uncover and share.
The Team
Radhika brings over 14 years of experience in Accounting and Finance services for MSMEs, especially for foreign corporations setting up operations in India. She has a strong track record as a finance controller for emerging businesses, adeptly navigating complex financial and compliance landscapes. Her experience spans industries including software, IT-enabled services, wealth management, structural design, and recruitment.
Who says women don’t understand finance or strategy? Radhika will not only prove you wrong—she might even teach you a thing or two about managing and investing your money.
Meera Devi is the Managing Editor at Khabar Lahariya. With 19 years of experience reporting from the Indian hinterlands on rural issues, Meera specialises in investigative journalism and policy reporting. Her special reports have included lifting the curtains off the administrative apathy around the broken healthcare systems combating tuberculosis in the rural hinterland of Uttar Pradesh. She also hosts a fortnightly show on local politics, titled 'Rajneeti, Ras, Raay'.
Meera is the team’s steady voice of reason and one of the most patient listeners you’ll ever meet
A native of Madhopur Chhata village, from the Sheohar district of Bihar, Lakshmi joined Khabar Lahariya in 2010. Since 2019, Lakshmi has been a part of the core leadership at Chambal Media, where she currently leads the production as senior producer of special features, including documentaries, podcasts, and animations. She ran the Bihar edition of Khabar Lahariya’s print newspaper before moving onto the production side of things in the Delhi newsroom, where she headed the news production desk till 2015.
In her free time, Laxmi enjoys creating intricate crochet designs. To place an order, feel free to DM her.
Srishti is the Business Lead - Products & Production at Chambal Media. She is also the editor of KL Hatke, Khabar Lahariya's subscription service, where she drives content and product strategy. With over eight years of experience in broadcast and digital media, she has worked with leading networks such as NDTV and ScoopWhoop. Srishti specialises in news production, editing, content strategy, and outreach, bringing a diverse skill set to the table.
A self-confessed reluctant writer, Srishti is also a fan of Tintin comics, idlis, and tennis—though not necessarily in that order.
Gargi (she/they), is the Business Development Manager at Chambal Academy, the education arm of Chambal Media. Her work includes leading SBCC campaigns and conducting workshops on digital rights, media literacy, and digital storytelling—each framed through an intersectional lens that prioritises inclusivity and accessibility. With extensive experience in participatory communication, she is dedicated to improving information accessibility, strengthening community media, countering misinformation, and fostering safe, choice-based digital spaces.
Gargi has a passion for playing and designing games—challenge her to a board game at your own risk!
Leading the Outreach team at Chambal Media, Harshita is a digital marketing professional with a strong foundation in education and training. Her passion for creative marketing, social media, and technology, combined with her ambition and innovative energy, has secured her a key role in Chambal Media’s team.
A great team player, self-confessed legit Kanpuriya, Harshita's love for photography, deconstructing influencer cultures, and understanding impact are also key-value add-ons.
Suneeta is the Operations Manager at Chambal Academy, Khabar Lahariya’s education and training vertical. In this role, she mentors and supports young girls, teaching them the nuances of on-field reporting and sharing the practical insights she has gained throughout her years as a journalist. Suneeta first joined Khabar Lahariya as a print journalist. Over the years, she has investigated the intersection of politics, media, and mining contractors, exposing the challenging working conditions in the mines.
Suneeta has a secret fan club — if you hear her speak at an event, the next thing you’ll likely hear is, "I want to be like her!"
Geeta Devi is the Expansion Manager at Khabar Lahariya. Since joining the organisation in 2009, her special reports on the environment, climate justice, resilience, and migration, along with her in-depth investigative stories, have earned her widespread recognition. She was also featured in a Google News Initiative short film. In addition to her reporting, Geeta manages a team of reporters across Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and Bihar. She recently made her directorial debut as co-director of Miles Away, a Chambal Media documentary made in collaboration with the University of Toronto.
Her long tenure at Khabar Lahariya enabled her to purchase land and build a home in her own name, where she now lives.
Nazni is a senior reporter with Khabar Lahariya. Nazni has over 18 years of experience reporting on local politics, crimes against women, the queer community in Bundelkhand and cultural stories from Uttar Pradesh. She is also known to many viewers through her show ‘Bolenge Bulvayenge, Hass ke Sab Keh Jayenge’, where she tackles systemic social problems and feminist issues with a light-hearted flair.
Nazni is one of the first Muslim women reporters from Bundelkhand and has single-handedly raised and supported her five children.
Madhavi is the Social Media Manager at Khabar Lahariya. Her work involves planning and strategising content, building an audience that transcends rural-urban boundaries, providing editorial inputs and anchoring videos. She has previously worked at NDTV 24x7 and has a Masters’ degree in Development Studies from Ambedkar University Delhi.
On the side, she hosts heritage walks around historical sites in Delhi and curates a family history archive where she traces her family’s history through the Independence era called Milap Archives.
Lalita is a Senior Producer at Khabar Lahariya, where she leads the daily news production alongside her team. Hailing from Sajahra village in Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh, she joined Khabar Lahariya as a reporter in 2012. During her time as a reporter, she covered local issues, and many of her stories led to tangible, on-ground impact.
Lalita is a new mom, mastering the art of balancing work and motherhood like a pro.
Shivani is the HR & Admin Manager at Chambal Media, with 16 years of experience in her field. She has worked across government setups, NGOs, and corporate organisations. Shivani holds a Master's degree in Social Work.
If there's a long holiday, you'll likely find her in Rishikesh.
Komal is the Executive Assistant & Admin Officer at Chambal Media, brings over two years of expertise in administrative support. Hailing from Banda, Uttar Pradesh, she holds a Master's in Botany and a Diploma in Elementary Education, showcasing her commitment to fostering learning environments. She combines her passion for the natural sciences with a keen analytical mindset.
Guneet is an information technologist with experience in web development, design, information architecture and systems administration. His core focus is effectively communicating technological concepts and ideas to improve collaboration and work. He runs sputznik.com, that handles all the websites and tech infrastructure for Chambal Media.
He has an active interest in internet freedom, free and open source software, open data and the sociopolitical ramifications of information technology in governance.
Rajni is a producer at Khabar Lahariya. She joined the organisation in 2017 and quickly found her footing, excelling in diverse work such as video editing, scripting the flagship Bhojpuri pop culture show, and anchoring.
Behind her innocent smile, Rajni hides a sharp wit — always ready with a clever one-liner.
I am a video and documentary practitioner with about 5 years of experience. I currently work as a Producer and In-house Filmmaker at Chambal Media. In the past I have freelanced as an editor, cinematographer and sound recordist. Through my work I want to explore the subtle, often overlooked aspects of everyday life, uncovering the unexpected when we begin to ask questions.
Sejal is a Delhi-based journalist and a writer with Khabar Lahariya. A Laadli Award winner, her work focuses on gender, caste, climate, and marginalised communities, blending human stories with systemic critique. She is an alumni of AJKMCRC, Jamia University.
Known among her colleagues for her impeccable style, when she's not writing or making films, you'll find her immersed in poems about love and loss.
Suchitra is a writer at Khabar Lahariya. Originally from a small village in Jehanabad district, Bihar, she was born and raised in Delhi, where she also completed her education. An alumna of Chambal Academy, she joined Khabar Lahariya in 2024 and has been a dedicated part of the team ever since. Before this, she worked with Tritiya Ratna, gaining valuable experience in the field.
Suchitra can effortlessly weave poetry into everyday conversations.
Kumkum is a part of the social media editing and production team at Khabar Lahariya. Originally from Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh, she joined Khabar Lahariya in 2017 as a reporter, focusing on youth issues and local politics.
Kumkum aspires to be a social media influencer.
Shyamkali is a senior reporter at Khabar Lahariya, specialising in culture reporting from Bundelkhand. She was married off at the age of 8, never getting a chance to complete her education. She is mostly a self-taught reader and writer, picking up basic literacy and storytelling skills while working with Khabar Lahariya.
Her colleagues often joke that she’s discovered the Fountain of Youth — and they’re still trying to figure out her secret!
Sangeeta is a reporter at Khabar Lahariya, covering local politics and regional issues in Ambedkar Nagar, Uttar Pradesh, with depth and clarity. After working with the organisation until 2017, she took a break to focus on her household before returning in 2024, armed with new skills from a rural mobile journalism course at Chambal Academy.
Sangeeta’s cheerful nature makes her the go-to person for a good laugh—and a great meal.
Suman is a reporter at Khabar Lahariya, covering Bihar since 2022. A Chambal Academy alumna, she completed the rural mobile journalism course in 2021. Suman is deeply passionate about reporting, with a particular focus on development and agriculture issues. She is also a Josh Talks speaker.
In her free time, she loves dancing, singing, and spending time with her family, always cherishing moments with them.
Sunita is a senior reporter at Khabar Lahariya, covering Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh. She has been with the organization since 2011, with a strong focus on development issues. Before joining Khabar Lahariya, Sunita worked with a self-help group, gaining valuable experience in community-driven initiatives.
Sunita is known among her colleagues for her eye for detail—her beautiful frames and compositions make her news stories visually striking.
Shiv Devi has been a reporter with Khabar Lahariya since 2011. A native of Banda, she covers the district and other parts of Uttar Pradesh, focusing on crimes against women and development issues. Khabar Lahariya is both her first and only job, where she has built a strong reputation for her fearless and impactful reporting.
Among her colleagues, Shiv Devi is known as the Dabang Reporter for her bold and uncompromising journalism.
Sushila Devi has been a reporter with Khabar Lahariya since 2018, covering Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh. She specialises in reporting on current events, local administration, and village-level issues, bringing attention to the challenges and developments within the community.
She finds contentment in her daily routine and enjoys spending her days off taking care of household chores and spending quality with her children.
Reena has been a reporter with Khabar Lahariya since 2018, reporting from Tikamgarh, Madhya Pradesh. With a keen focus on agriculture and rural development, she brings critical local issues to the forefront through her reporting.
Reena has a strong passion for dance and music.
Amreen has been a reporter with Khabar Lahariya since 2019, based in Chhatarpur district, Madhya Pradesh. A Chambal Academy alumnus, she focuses on reporting local administration, development challenges, and the governance of gram panchayats. Prior to joining Khabar Lahariya, Amreen worked with Dalit Shakti Kendra.
Amreen is passionate about cooking, although she doesn't enjoy making rotis.
Anita is a reporter at Khabar Lahariya, covering stories from Panna district, Madhya Pradesh. She joined the organisation in 2019 and has a strong passion for reporting on agriculture and cultural topics. Anita holds a BA, a PG degree, and a Master of Social Work (MSW), along with a B.Ed., demonstrating her commitment to both education and community-focused journalism.
Anita's live streams bring you the true gaon wala experience, capturing the essence of rural life.
Kanchan Sendre is a transgender journalist and community advocate reporting for Khabar Lahariya from Durg, Chhattisgarh. With four years of experience in the field, she is dedicated to championing the voices of her community and bringing their stories to the forefront.
On her days off, she loves traveling to different places.
Deepti Barla is from Sundargarh, Odisha, and has been working with Khabar Lahariya as an office assistant in Delhi since December 2024. Prior to joining Khabar Lahariya, she worked in New Delhi at Konnectus Tower.
Deepti enjoys singing and keeping herself busy.
Aradhana is the Office Assistant at Khabar Lahariya’s Banda office. Hailing from Anandpur village in Banda district, Uttar Pradesh, she previously worked at a call centre in Noida, gaining valuable professional experience. By day, she keeps the office running smoothly, and in her free time, she’s honing her skills in mobile videography.
On holidays, you will likely find her unwinding with old Bollywood movies.
Ranno Devi is from Basant Nagar, Banda, Uttar Pradesh. She has been working with Khabar Lahariya for 19 years. Before joining Khabar Lahariya, she worked with the NGO Vanangana.
If you ever visit the Banda office, don't miss the chance to taste her delicious food—it’s sure to leave you craving more.