The Leprosy Mission Trust India (TLMTI) is in the process of identifying newer locations for community engagement (community engagement is any process that involves the community in problem-solving or decision-making, and empowers them to make more informed decisions). It identified Loni, a town in Ghaziabad district in the state of Uttar Pradesh, as a place to engage communities and to develop community-level capacity.

Towards this, Community Intervention Unit (CIU) of TLM Shahdara Hospital organised street plays (nukkad natak) in Loni – hiring the services of Sambhawna Natya Manch, a leading theatre group – addressing the issues of gender, women’s rights, child marriage and health issues, including leprosy. Brochures on leprosy were distributed to more than 250 audience members to educate them on leprosy.