Anil Choudhary (1951-2025)
Popular Education and Action Centre (PEACE)
Anil Kumar Chaudhary (5 June 1951 – 14 April 2025) was the founder of the Popular Education and Action Centre (PEACE) and served as its Chief Functionary and Managing Trustee until his passing. He had over four decades of experience in education, evaluation, advocacy, and organisational development with a consistent focus on supporting marginalised communities. He was also an Advisor to the Indian Social Action Forum (INSAF) and a founding member of the National Coordination Committee of the Coalition for Nuclear Disarmament and Peace (CNDP). Throughout his career, Anil remained engaged in national platforms addressing democratic participation, press freedom, nuclear disarmament, and social justice.
Anil began his professional journey at the Centre for Women’s Development Studies in 1981, later contributing to participatory governance and grassroots empowerment during his tenure at the Society for Participatory Research in Asia (PRIA). He worked with various national and international organisations including DANIDA, ActionAid, Oxfam, the Swiss Red Cross, and SWISS AID, evaluating and strengthening programs related to land rights, gender equity, rural development, disaster rehabilitation, and primary healthcare. His contributions included research on displacement, adult education, and Panchayati Raj institutions, alongside assessments of government initiatives to improve policy design and implementation. As a facilitator and trainer, he supported the capacity building of grassroots organisations, activists, and public officials, equipping them with tools for participatory planning, rights-based approaches, and community-led development. His efforts led to the formation of numerous networks and platforms such as CAAJ, PCSDS, Bhumi Adhikar Andolan, and others.
Anil developed educational materials, audiovisual content, and advocacy tools that have been widely used in campaigns on land reforms, social justice, and inclusive development. His contributions extended beyond India, through training programs and evaluations conducted in Sri Lanka, Nepal, Pakistan, and Indonesia. He also represented India at international forums on participatory research and development. The tools, ideas, and frameworks he created continue to shape the work of grassroots organisations and inform policy processes focused on equity and rights-based development, carrying forward the legacy of his lifelong commitment.
Anil’s work was deeply rooted in the idea of a “culture of questioning”—a foundational principle of PEACE that emphasised critical inquiry as both a form of resistance and creation. Influenced by Paulo Freire’s concept of critical consciousness, his analysis often examined power dynamics across different social relationships and institutional structures. He believed in enabling marginalised communities to voice their concerns while building their collective agency. Beyond his political insights, Anil was known for his steady, behind-the-scenes presence and his ability to bring together diverse individuals and movements. Even after his passing, his contributions to social transformation, grassroots democracy, and inclusive development continue to shape the direction of organisations and movements across the country.