Mail News Service
Jamshedpur: Although society has progressed through leaps and bounds since the stone age as small groups gave shape to little communes and then to hamlets, villages, cities and metropolises, two factors have remained constant through time � a woman�s role as a homemaker and the other of a voodoo doll to be punched around by drunken lovers and husbands in a sadistic display of male chauvinism. Voices have been raised for a woman�s emancipation since the latter part of the medieval era, or more precisely, since the turn of the 20th century, but either they have been meek or have failed to find a proper platform of male reckoning.
The dynamic ADLS Sunshine School principal Indrani Singh who has observed life closely through various stages said, �I have been deeply concerned over the issue. I have been thinking of a plot to cast light from a newer angle on women�s empowerment. I have wanted to provide a logical view on the causes of domestic violence and their effect on children. This process has taken all of three years to take mental shape and finally came through in a concrete storyline.�
When eminent feature, short film, documentary and corporate filmmaker Tathagata Bhattacherjee who is also the chief of Kolkata based production house, Take5 Communications heard the script, he was overwhelmed and decided to back Indrani without batting an eyelid. �I was amazed to hear the story. Indrani Singh�s concept is absolutely different from others in this genre. Her approach to this disconcerting social pestilence has attracted me. I made up my mind then and there after listening to her story, to go all out and provide total technical support from start to finish,� said the highly experienced filmmaker Tathagata Bhattacherjee.
Thus, a confident Indrani approached eminent people and corporate houses to help transform her obsession into a celluloid reality.
Tata Steel�s Corporate Communications, Safety, Health and Sustainability wing unhesitatingly came forward to support this prevalent social poser to be presented in an emphatic light. �They (Tata Steel authorities) came forward as soon as they heard of the project. This green signal bolstered my determination and with Tathagata backing me, my optimism to make this short film took on a brighter hue.�
Eminent citizens like Ronald D�Costa, the renowned hotelier, social activist and jazz group founder, reputed educationist Lalita Sarin who has given a whole new dimension to the concept of all round, dynamic and purposeful education, ADL Society and her school ADLS Sunshine School, have all come out in open support in their own ways for Indrani�s celluloid venture.
Lalita Sarin in her inimitable, polite but clear cut tone stated, �Indrani was my student and continues to be determined and positive in whatever issue she takes up. Domestic violence is one of the many areas of social frailties that require serious reckoning. It is not a matter to be confined to discussions in meetings at club, organizational and political levels. Though modern times have �relented� to a large extent as reflected by women entering hitherto men�s domain like the defense services, corporate world, political arenas and a lot more, the continuance of domestic violence remains a matter of deep concern. I wish Indrani and her team all success in this very serious essay.�
Ronald D�Costa is known for doing more than his bit in the realms of social concern. He continues to back institutions that try to resolve intricate social issues. This eminent citizen who is also backing Indrani Singh�s celluloid project observed, �Any social issue especially revolving around violence is disturbing. Many discussions and quite a few films touching on domestic violence have been proffered. But the effect of this on growing children has seldom been tackled. This is an area where the consciousness level has to be enhanced. Indrani�s focus is in that direction and it needs support.�
ADL Society general secretary, Majji Ravi Kumar was all praise for the organization�s ADLS Sunshine School Principal Indrani Singh. �She has been with us for nearly a dozen years. We have observed that apart from ensuring qualitative education, she is a keen observer of students� behavior. She is always by the side of disturbed or struggling students. She has a remedy to all children�s problems. She is an asset any day to society. I wish her all success in her new territory of film narrative and I am sure she will be successful in this venture.� School Secretary Nagesh Rao echoed the same sentiment.
Indrani provided this insight to her story based on which she is donning the director�s hat. �Many a time, I have seen a girl child sitting alone and morosely when other children were enjoying games. I have noticed children in classes too who are inattentive and lost in their own world of confusion and misery. This is an almost every day experience for me. In most cases, in my endeavor to make them find a friend in me, I have discovered that their plight is the effect of domestic violence. Let us all help them to grow positively amidst happier environs. This is my plea, my objective in my story and film.�
Good luck Indrani Singh. We will look forward to your effective panacea to the most cancerous social ill.
