Fifty-year-old Jharna Acharya is a social activist and a popular name among the Sabar, Lodha and Baiga communities of Paschim Medinipur and Jhargram districts of West Bengal. Her father, Kashinath Acharya, was a well-known activist of his district and had a profound influence on her life. He was associated with the Land Reform Movement of the state and founded the Keshiari Kusumpur High School. Jharna Acharya also acknowledges the role that her mother Minurani Acharya played in inspiring her to work for the poor and underprivileged sections of society.