Dr. Chitra Sahasrabudhey

Chitra sahasrabudhey is a social organiser and activist. She did Ph.D. in Chemistry from IIT Delhi but did not go back to do science or seek employment in that profession. She is one of the architects of the idea of lokavidya which had in fact got formulated during the campaigns of Nari Hastkala Udyog Samiti, a women’s organisation headed by her and active in and around Varanasi. These campaigns were based primarily on the ideas and the practice of nari vidyaand local market. She was one of the chief organisers of Lokavidya Mahadhiveshan, the Third Congress on Traditional Sciences and Technologies of India (CTSTI) , Varanasi 1998.

A founder member of the Vidya Ashram she lives at the Ashram. She is the member of the Executive Committee and Ashram Samiti. She is the editor of the Lokavidya Samvad and heads the Program Implemention Committee.

A political product of Angrezi Hatao of late Sixties, a participant of the women’s Movement 1978-81, an organiser of artisans and women; her contribution in realm of ideas is mainly towards developing the political significance of local society, local market, lokavidya and the organisation  of the depressed classes. She is the co-editor of the book ‘ Lokavidya Vichar ’.  She is also an artist with studies on the art, craft and cultural geography of Varanasi. Her writings since Seventies till date are published in Mazdoor Kisan Niti, Bharati and Lokavidya Samvad.