'Hands On' Launch at Raipur, Chhattisgarh, 2005
The 'Hands On' series was launched at a function held at
Raipur, Chhattisgarh on 18thMarch 2005. Formal launch and screening of selected
'Hands On' films and a panel discussion marked the function chaired by Chief
Guest Shri R.N. Mishra, IFS, PCCF, Chhattisgarh who inaugurated the function by
lighting an terracotta lamp symbolizing rich heritage of tribal art and its
deep roots in nature.
CEE collaborated with 'Jandarshan' a local media centre in
Raipur with its media students volunteering in organising the programmes.
Shri R.N. Mishra launched the Hands On series with sharing
of his experiences about environmental conservation and stressing the need to
know more about environment. The Key Note Speaker, Shri Lalit Surjan, Editor,
Deshbandhu, spoke about the important role media can play in creating awareness
about environment and sustainable development. 
At the event, 5 programmes from the 'Hands On' series were
screened. These programmes covered issues like waste management, tourism, and
use of minor forest produce for sustainable development.
As these issues were very relevant to the region, the
panellists also spoke on these issues, relating these to the local situation.
The panellists were Dr. Rajendra Mishra, a well-known
literary critic of Hindi literature, Dr. D.K. Marothia, HoD, Dept. of Natural
resource Economics, Indira Gandhi Agricultural University, Raipur, Shri
Mahavar, noted scholar on tribal culture of the state, and Shri S.K. Ojha, IFS,
Director, SCERT, Chhattisgarh.
TFF at Lakshadweep, 2005
Various films on marine eco-systems, global warming and
subsequent rise in the sea level, and sustainable practices were screened at a
travelling film festival organised at the Government Girls High school (GGHS)
Kavarathi on 26 September 2005. the event was organised in partnership with
Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS).
Shri Achada Ahmed Haji, chair person Village (Dweep)
panchayath inaugurated the event. Shri Rajappan Nair, Head Master, GGHS
presided over the function. Shri Jafer Hisham, BNHS welcomed the gathering and
Shri Karamathulla, BNHS, proposed Vote of Thanks. Screening of documentaries
and an open discussion about each issue followed.
The panellists were Dr Haneefa Koya, Assistant Director,
Fisheries, Dr.C.P Hamza Koya, Training Associate, Krishi Viknan Kendra, Shri
Syed Shaik Koya, Environmental Warden, Kavarathi Island, Shri P. Poo Koya,
Technical Officer, Department of Science & Technology, and Shri Jafer
Hisham.
The discussion focussed on issues of Climate Change and
Sustainable Development in relation to Lakshadweep.
Members of the Village (Dweep) Panchayat, representatives
from local NGOs, and Government officials participated in the event.
The need for organising more of these events in the island
was expressed. It was felt that such events could be instrumental in creating
awareness about the environment.
TFF at Srinagar, Uttaranchal, 2005
The 'Hands On' films in Hindi were screened at a film
festival conducted at Nagar Palika Meeting Hall (Municipal Committee
Auditorium), Srinagar, Garhwal, Uttaranchal on 12 September 2005. The festival
was a half-day event, inaugurated by Dr. A.R. Nautiyal, Director High Altitude
Plant Physiology Research Centre, Srinagar.
The panellists included Dr. M.M. Semwal, Regional
Incharge, SHER (NGO), Srinagar, Dr. S.P. Sati, Lecturer, Department of Geology,
HN Bahuguna Garhwal University, Srinagar, and Dr. Vijay Kant, Scientist, GB
Pant Institute of Himalayan Environment & Development, Garhwal Unit,
Srinagar.
'Hands on' films on forest conservation, people's
participation for sustainable development, use of minor forest produce and
waste management were screened, keeping in mind their relevance to the forest
areas of Garhwal.
The panellists spoke on issues of local concern like
Sustainable livelihoods, ecotourism, and waste management.
Students and teachers from various schools and colleges in
the town, representatives from local NGOs, research institutions and the media
participated in the festival.
Since it was the first event of this kind in Srinagar,
Garhwal, there was a general enthusiasm for the screening. During discussions
the need for making films on such issues locally was felt and people expressed
their expectations that CEE documents local initiatives so as these also get a
wider publicity.
TFF at
Wayanad, Kerala, 2005
As part of the dissemination phase of the localize Hands
On programmes, the first of the traveling film festivals in Kerala for the
Malayalam versions was organized at Wayanad, Northern Kerala, Southern India.
The festival was organised in partnership with the Wayanad Social Service
Society (WSSS), a local NGO working in the area.
On 18 September 2005 five 'Hands On' films were screened
at Ellumannum village in Wayanad district. This was organised part of the
valedictory programme of the Water Shed Festival that was organized by WSSS as
part of the Onam celebrations. The audience consisted of the villagers -
children, youth, fathers, mothers, grandfathers and grandmothers.
On 19 September 2005 the films were screened at the WSSS
auditorium at Mananthavady, Wayanad district. This was attended by NGOs from
the North Malabar Network, staff of WSSS and students. Mr. Sunil Jacob, CEE
presided over the function.
The screening was followed by a panel discussion. The
panellists were Dr. P K Prasad, Mary Matha College, Fr. Kuriakose Kunnath,
Director, WSSS, Fr. Eldho Puthenkandathil, Chairman, North Malabar NGO network
and Mr Jaimon.
The panellists spoke on issues like loss of endogenous
species, unscientific agricultural practices, destruction of habitat etc. They
also highlighted the need for keeping the social context in mind while
addressing the environmental problems in an area.
The need for creating awareness, especially among
children, through initiatives like the 'Hands On' project was also expressed.
'Hands On'
Launch at Andhra Pradesh, 2005
The Telugu version of the 'Hands on' set of 10 videos was
launched on 3rd June 2005 at Hyderabad. This launch was organized as part of
Technical Resource Group (TRG) meeting for APDPIP. The VCD was launched by Ms.
Satya Veni, Livelihood Associate, Environment (anchor person of environment at
the District Project Management Unit) of Visakhapatnam district. A copy was
sent to all DPMUs for the use in any relevant training programmes organized as
part of Environmental management Framework (EMF) for Andhra Pradesh District
Poverty initiatives project (APDPIP) and Andhra Pradesh rural Poverty Reduction
Project (APRPRP) projects.
Launch and Public Screening of 'Listen to the Children' in
Karnataka, 2004
The Kannada version of the video programme 'Listen to the
Children' was launched at the Raman Research Institute, Bangalore, on 26 March
2004. The half-day event was organised by CEE Karnataka State Cell.
This half-hour documentary, produced by TVE, travels from
post-conflict Sri Lanka to the back streets of New Delhi to talk to children
involved in the Children's Council of street children, in adolescent education
in Bangladesh, and in fighting discrimination against HIV/AIDS sufferers in
Nepal.
The panellists were Mr. Vasudev Sharma, Child Rights
Trust, Bangalore, and Ms. Kavita Ratna, The Concerned for the Working Children,
Bangalore. The programme began with a welcome speech by Mr. Ishwar Poojar, CEE,
followed by a talk from Mr. Sunil Jacob, CEE, on the role of the audio-visual
media in promoting education.
Telecast of 'Tyto's Zoo' at Gadag,
Karnataka, 2004
Tyto's Zoo, produced by TVE, was telecast on the Gadag
Channel in Karnataka on 31 March 2004 at 6:30 PM. This half-hour programme was
selected for telecast in Gadag as the town of Gadag houses a zoo, which is very
popular among the locals. To inform local people about the telecast of the
programme, an advertisement was developed and screened on the Gadag Channel
several times a day.
The Gadag Channel reaches approximately 22,000 families
across the town.
Launch of the Assamese version of
'Listen to the Children' at Guwahati, Assam, 2004
CEE North-East organised the public screening and launch
of the Assamese version of 'Listen to the Children' at the Guwahati Press Club
on 27 March 2004. It was formally launched by Dr Mahfuza Rehman, Executive
Director, Rashtriya Gramin Vikash Nidhi (RGVN), North-East Regional Office.
This half-hour documentary, produced by TVE, travels from
post-conflict Sri Lanka to the back streets of New Delhi to talk to children
involved in the Children's Council of street children, in adolescent education
in Bangladesh, and in fighting discrimination against HIV/AIDS sufferers in
Nepal.
The screening of the film was followed by a panel
discussion. The panellists were Ms. Mahfuza Rehman, Ms Malaya Goswam | 
