Short film from Kolkata raises awareness

Anirban Dutta’s short film, TISHED — A film for the people, has been selected for the Special Screenings of the prestigious United Nations Association Film Festival. “This is a film that I have always wanted to make since the day I went out for a walk with my dear friend and social worker, Jane Manson. I was exposed to the narrow lanes and manmade islands floating beside the sewage canal of Kolkata and the railway tracks occupied by dwellers, primarily migrants, and their struggle to find the very basic amenities to live.These migrants are either from the eastern side of Bengal or from other poorer states of India who have come to the city on promises of jobs, better lifestyle etc. What they got in return were scarcity of food and clean water, lack of education and the dearth of a healthy environment to live in. Forget about being loved or loving someone, these kids grow up rag-picking, working at nearby leather factories as cheap labour and perishing in penury. I came in touch with a pioneering institution that hopes to bring some positive changes to these children’s lives, making them educated; helping them find all the rights they should have according to the UN Convention on the Child Rights,” he said. Anirban said at a time when the country is fast progressing, children of a certain section of the population remains neglected. “I understood is that more than local, this is a global issue. We cannot endanger a child’s life. That is when Jane and I seriously thought of making this film, so as to bring awareness,” he added.