This Indian film, directed by the couple Rintu Thomas and Sushmit Ghosh, has already received two awards at the Sundance festival in 2021.

"It's a very inspiring story, a story of women who gives hope," the director told AFP at the preview in Los Angeles, "it's very strong, powerful, above all in today's world of distrust of the media".

All from lower castes, the Indian journalists of "Khabar Lahariya" ("Waves of information"), founded in 2002 in the state of Uttar Pradesh, cover subjects ranging from cow theft to local corruption and by rape and other violence against women.

Now equipped with smartphones for the digital version of the publication, they report local information, often neglected by the major Indian media.

These committed women only earned respect through dogged determination and are now taken seriously by the authorities and those close to them.

"Just getting out of the house was a big challenge," Geeta Devi, one of these journalists, told AFP, "I had to fight so many times."

Geeta Devi (d), journalist for "Khabar Lahariya" ("Waves of information"), during an interview with a woman abandoned by her husband, on March 11, 2022 in Banda, India SANJAY KANOJIA AFP

"My father was totally against it. He told me: + you can't do this job, it's not for women +", she continues.

"Feminist Prism"

Geeta Devi and her sisters belong to the Dalit community, at the bottom of the implacable caste system that governs Indian society.

Discrimination of Dalits, once called "the untouchables", is supposedly abolished, yet they are still not allowed to enter temples, are not allowed in upper caste circles and still suffer stigmatization, humiliation and abuse.

Geeta Devi (d), journalist of "Khabar Lahariya" ("Waves of information"), speaks with women in Banda, March 11, 2022 in India SANJAY KANOJIA AFP

In Banda, a few hours' drive from the Taj Mahal, Geeta Devi collects the testimony of a woman reduced to misery since being abandoned by her husband.

The news of the journalist's presence spread quickly and women from the surrounding area flocked in the hope that Geeta Devi would speak out about their grievances, particularly against the municipality, the absence of drinking water, the sewers clogged...

But some ask her to discuss, face-to-face, intimate dramas, hitherto silenced for fear of being ostracized and reprisals, often involving sexual harassment and violence.

Geeta Devi says she is proud of the treatment of information through the "feminist lens".

The correspondents of "Khabar Lahariya" know better than anyone what can be endured in these patriarchal villages, women in general, those of tribal and Dalit communities in particular, and take a wise look at rural affairs.

Geeta Devi (d), journalist of "Khabar Lahariya" ("Waves of information"), interviews a woman in Banda, March 11, 2022 in India SANJAY KANOJIA AFP

For Meera Devi, 35-year-old managing editor, it's about giving a voice to those excluded from India's success.

- "Powerful women" -

"When I fight for the rights of minorities, tribal peoples and other marginalized groups in society, when these people are heard and get justice, I feel very satisfied", says this woman who is passionate about her mission.

Born in a lost village, married at 14, Meera Devi had to fight against all odds to study until she graduated from university.

Geeta Devi (d), journalist for "Khabar Lahariya" ("Waves of information"), in front of his office in Banda, on March 11, 2022 in India SANJAY KANOJIA AFP

She started at the paper in 2006, covering cases of cattle rustling and tragic family disputes before turning to local politics.

His work has landed crooks in jail and forced officials to do their job and serve the community.

She was able to witness the rise of Hindu nationalism in rural parts of the country.

"Men here are not used to seeing powerful women, especially in a field like journalism. But we are reversing the trend," she says.

Geeta Devi (d), journalist of "Khabar Lahariya" ("Waves of information"), photograph of the villagers, on March 11, 2022 in Banda, India SANJAY KANOJIA AFP

"We've proven that if you give women the right opportunities, we can do anything," she adds, "once you give women the freedom they deserve, it's just impossible to get them back." Stop".

© 2022 AFP