FIFA World Cup 2010 South Africa Official Theme Song-Wavin' Flag....very inspiring and interesting video to share and it is suggested and first shown to me by my son Saikrishna and daughter (my brother's daughter) Bhargavi

Visual way to combating social evils - The Hindu

Visual way to combating social evils - The Hindu

Visual way to combating social evils

B.V.S. BHASKAR 

A. Ramadevi, Officer on Special Duty, Rajahmundry.– Photo: B.V.S. Bhaskar

Visual storytelling is an ancient art. Visuals help us tell stories with impact. A. Rama Devi, Officer on Special Duty, Law and Order and Traffic (Additional SP rank), Rajahmundry, chose this powerful medium to educate and enlighten the unlettered masses on social evils.

A native of the Andhra region, the women police officer has gained prominence in Warangal district for her prudent approach to issues.

When she was posted as Sub-Divisional Police Officer at Mahabubabad in Warangal district towards the end of 2011, she decided to take up issues related to the welfare of women in Lambada thandas (hamlets).

“There were a total of 696 Lambada thandas under the purview of 10 police stations which were under my jurisdiction. Almost 98 per cent of them were unlettered and so, the level of awareness about key issues was very low,” she recalls.

To drive home her point effectively, she used the visual media as a tool and made a short film,Chaitanyam, which portrays a fierce fight against brewing of gudumba (illicit liquor).

Several youngsters joined hands to promote the short film.

Chaitanyam also brings to the fore other existing practices like chewing of tobacco and child labour.

“I wrote the script and directed the film and gave it a voice. For camera, editing and acting, I used local talent,” she says. The first CD of the film was released by then SP Rajesh Kumar Singh. When ‘Nirbhaya Act’ came into force following the Delhi rape incident, Ms. Ramadevi came up with yet another short film to enlighten the public on the clauses of the Act, explaining in detail each Section of the IPC relating to rape, attempt to rape and molestation. Her work was widely appreciated.

“My 10-year stint as Mandal Parishad Development Officer (MPDO) has helped me understand issues quickly and respond to them immediately,” she says.

Ms. Ramadevei passed Group-2 exams in 1996 and was appointed MPDO. She won the best MPDO award continuously for 10 years. A native of Srikakulam, she is also a postgraduate.

Marriage with a difference - The Hindu

Marriage with a difference - The Hindu

Brooms attract grooms - The Hindu

Brooms attract grooms - The Hindu

Brooms attract grooms

B.V.S. BHASKAR

Broomsticks being made by Chintapalli Arjunudu and his family members in Palla Kadiyam village. —Photo: S. Rambabu

There is a relation between brooms and grooms in this tiny village which is 25 km from Rajahmundry city in East Godavari district. Brides here are in great demand, so much so that grooms are willing even to pay kanyasulkam (a practice where the groom pays dowry to the bride) to get a bride from Palla Kadiyam village.

It is a semi-rich village in Rajanagaram mandal which became famous for making broomsticks, an activity that turned into a cottage industry, providing livelihood to over 1,000 families.

Parents in the village don’t worry about their daughters’ marriage. “Girls after attaining marriageable age have wannabe grooms queuing up because it takes care of their employment, making brooms here,” says Chintapalli Arjunudu.

According to Ch. Sahadevudu, the raw material to make broomsticks comes in gunny bags from Assam and Maredumilli in Rampachodavaram Agency area in the district. “A 50-kg-bag of dry grass used in the broom costs Rs. 2,000. After wastage, we get only 40 kg,” he says, explaining that soft grass is cleaned up before it is assembled into a broom.

A handle is made for a comfortable grip and buyers have a wide range of varieties to choose from.

Most villagers secure additional raw material like plastic pipes, coconut sticks and wire from cities such as Vijayawada.

Every household generates between 250 and 400 brooms every day which is then weighed, says Arjunudu. “Each bag of grass is used to make 150 to 200 brooms of four different varieties and the price ranges from Rs. 30 to Rs. 60.” Citing financial constraints, Mr. Arjunudu says banks should come forward to give loans and the government must look into the issue.