Tathya: Livelihood learning event

March 23, 2010 - PRLog -- Today India is the 4th largest economy of the world. World class cities are being developed, new industries are coming up .But, at the same time there are lakhs of people contributing towards the society are still deprived of the basic amenities.  While understanding the reasons, it is important to acknowledge the fact that these individuals contribute immensely towards the growth story. As a tribute to their contribution to economic growth, ALC India has conceptualized Tathya.

“Tathya” is an attempt to spread awareness on how 80% of Indians experience their life...  their contribution to all of us and inequitable return from that.

The event was organised by a group of development agencies led by Access Livelihoods Consulting (ALC) India and supported by Oxfam India, Basix India, Chetna Organics and Jeevika.

Event was organised on 20th and 21st of March 2010, (12:00 to 9:00 pm) in Ravindra Bharthi, Hyderabad.

The event was inaugurated by Chairman, ALC India, Mr Amitabh Guha, (Former MD of State Bank of Hyderabad) and CEO ALC India Mr. GV Krishnagopal.

As cinema is a powerful media to convey any message to the society ALC India has tried to create awareness with the help of movies, 19 award winning documentaries followed by panel discussion, made one think about different livelihoods issues which do not receive our attention in the daily life.

These documentaries covered the livelihood challenges faced by the salt workers of Kutch to the rag pickers of the cities, from the challenges faced by the fisherman of Chilka lake to the success story of Women’s Dairy Cooperative at Muluknoor, Andhra Pradesh.  

The movies were followed by panel discussion facilitated by the directors of screened documentaries; people involved in livelihoods sector and government officials.

Eminent Documentary Director Miss. C Vanaja threw light on livestock rearing with livelihoods and environmental point of views through her movie Breeding Invasion, during the panel discussion.

Chinaveera Badrudu, one of the panelists, Additional Director Tribal Welfare Department, appreciated the various livelihoods aspects screened through movies. He mentioned that the documentary focused on survival issues of Olive ridely turtles in the coastal regions of the state of Orissa “The Right to Survive”, was new for him and gave him a new angle to think about the issues of tribal communities.

Along with the movies, there were products stall containing a range of artisan and organic products which replicated the efforts put by the communities and their success stories. Tathya acted as a platform where these handmade and organic products got visibility and recognition. Oxfam India, Chetna Organic, Center of Sustainable agriculture, Chitrika and Ennela are name of some of the organisations who displayed organic and handmade products made by the communities involved with.

More than 200 participants from IT industry, NGOs, media, scientists and students shared their views, experiences and learning from the movies.  Few of them were continuously present for  the entire two days of event and consider such kind of event to be organized on a large scale as there these kind of documentaries can change the perception and can lead to some positive change in the society.

Sheikh Anwar, Regional manager Oxfam India was Chief Guest of the closing ceremony. Mr. Anwar,  said ‘ it is wonderful to be associated with an event like TATHYA, Oxfam believes in building active and engaged citizenship by sensitizing people on the current issues of economic disparity and what their contribution can be to address this’