 Touring India filming AID work, my assistant George (a student of National Institute of Design) and I were overwhelmed with the love and hospitality showered on us. Traveling by train, car, jeep, 2- and 3-wheelers, we met dedicated volunteers who showed us around each place.
In Anakapalle we visited tribal villages settled on banjar or waste land with Nisarga’s help. Poet-singer-activist Ajay Kumar shared true stories of struggle and success as we walked hours in the mid-day heat to remote villages where Scheduled Tribes and other marginalized groups live. Two days later we were at the District Collector’s Grievance Cell in Srikakulam, where mothers from Acchipolavalasa were filing complaints regarding anganwadi services. AID Srikakulam’s integrated work with old age shelters, health and nutrition, electrification, alternate energy, organic gardens, etc kept us on our toes for 4 days! When we went to Parlakhemundi, a reading workshop by Pratham was in progress. AID Saathi Dhanada Mishra showed us AID Orissa’s Rural Tech Centre: pottery, tailoring, organic farming, summer camps, and an upcoming technical institute.
At AID Kakinada’s Right to Information (RTI) workshop, volunteers staged an anti-corruption street play as well as a “snakes and ladders” game to explain the RTI law. Several activists including Rakesh of Bhumi explained how they had used RTI. Smt. Susila took us to see Praja School, People’s Educational Society Trust. PEST, she says, is an acronym to counteract names like St. Praja Convent! Her school offers slum children academics as well as crafts, counseling, and songs. The most wonderful aspect of film making is that one gets to meet such people and they ironically are delighted to meet “filmmakers!” Out of the extreme cynicism that was the case till a few years ago in India, a wonderful positive can-do attitude has emerged in these areas that is fascinating to watch and impossible to ignore. Filming this energy has been a challenge, humbling and transformative for us as individuals. Next stop, Rajasthan! Kavita Meegama, classical dancer and filmmaker, works part time in Tollywood and is currently making a film on AID projects and partners. She volunteers for AID in Maryland.
|
