Umesh Chaurasia

Work area : Khagaria district, Bihar

Umesh is a prominent member of Pharkiya Kala Sanskriti Sangam, a socio-cultural organisation established in 2010 to work on recurring flood-related challenges in Khagaria district and to improve community access to basic services and amenities. He played a key role in founding the organisation and has remained actively involved in its programmes and outreach initiatives.

He completed his master’s degree from Bhagalpur University. During his academic years, he was engaged in collective student activities that helped build organisational skills. In 2005, he moved to Delhi and gained experience working with worker collectives. During this period, he reconnected with Sadre Alam, who shared a common hometown, and together they decided to collaborate on long-term community development efforts in Khagaria.

During the floods of 2010, Umesh and his team conducted field surveys to assess community needs and gaps in response systems. After returning to Khagaria in 2014, he focused on strengthening the sangathan and supporting youth leadership from marginalised communities. The organisation’s work expanded to areas such as reducing school dropouts, improving access to girls’ education, promoting communal harmony, social inclusion, and climate resilience.

Pharkiya Kala Sanskriti Sangam has built strong engagement with youth, women, farmers, and marginalised communities, including Chamar and Musahar groups. Over the years, it has worked through cultural platforms, community assessments, relief initiatives, and public outreach to improve access to rights, services, and livelihoods. Its work spans issues such as flood preparedness, gender equity, social inclusion, and land-related access, contributing to improved community wellbeing