By Our Representative
Watan Ki Raah Mein, a civil society campaign of the Samvidhan Bachao Nagrik Abhiyan, has released a short video conversation on social media of an exchange of letters between a dadi and her poti discussing poverty, unemployment, corruption and women’s safety. The letters also raise the question of suppression of our fundamental rights of speech, expression and justice.
Enacted by Ratna Pathak Shah and Sarah Hashmi, the YouTube film, which has already gone viral with lakhs of views, has been directed by Sahir Raza. Its video is also available in few smaller parts. Its Twitter link is available here and YouTube link can be seen here.
A media release by the campaigners said, ‘Dadi Poti Ke Khat’ is one effort among many which have been initiated as a part of the larger campaign Watan ki Raah Mein. The campaign was initiated by human rights group Anhad, along with several fraternal organisations and individuals with the of pulling the heartstrings of common citizens.
The video is based a series of letters written by a young girl who is struggling in Delhi to find a job and her dadi’s replies of encouragement by telling stories of her own participation in the freedom movement.
The video was made following civil society organisations, individual intellectuals, creative artists and activists were "disturbed about the developments that the country has witnessed during the past ten years of the Modi regime", said the release.
"Instead of sitting at home and just trying to analyse the developments that have threatened both the constitution and democracy in the country, they have joined hands to intervene creatively against the forces which have torn the country's diverse social fabric", it added.
It all began on 1st May, 2024, when civil society groups and concerned individuals launched the Watan Ki Raah Mein Abhiyan to campaign door to door and also hold discussions with the residents across the seven constituencies of Delhi, which go to polls on May 25.
They used a two-page leaflet, a letter from a grand-daughter to her grandmother in which she expresses her anguish and despair about the state of our country.
The letter was used in the campaign to initiate dialogues and discussions in neighbourhoods about the major issues of the people, the release noted. From 15th May onwards, the letter went online with a social media campaign which depicted segments of the letter in seven short videos titled Meri Pyari Dadi.
On 19th May 2024, the video was screened at the Jawahar Bhawan Auditorium, Delhi, as part of a programme of music and poetry.
"The aim of the Abhiyan, through leaflets, on ground meetings, neighbourhood sabhas, and the social media campaign is to defend our Constitution and our democracy", the release said, adding, the aim is to defeat "the undemocratic forces that are spreading hatred and communalism in our society!"
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