NISCORT trains Khandamal representatives

NEW DELHI, July 02, 2009, 18.30 Hrs(Fr Jude Botelho / CBCI News):

Twelve persons from Khandamal, Orrisa participated in a one-month long video-Production course conducted by NISCORT. The course was aimed at helping to learn the skills and techniques of video production to facilitate video documentation process back home.

Fr. Dibyasingh, assistant director of Jan Vikas Seva Kendra, Khandamal, Orissa,and a former student of NISCORT selected the twelve participants for the course. All of them have been working for more than five years either with Jan Vikas Seva Kendra or with Catholic social organizations in Khandamal and have a wealth of experience in the social work. Participants included a priest and a religious woman. Fr. Dejus, the course guide and director led the participants through the intricacies of audio-visual communication with a blend of basic theory and plenty of hands-on practice. They quickly mastered the art of photography and moved on to getting practical lessons and tips on videography.

The participants worked hard in three groups to produce a documentary on social issues. They scouted the slums and neighbouring areas of Vashali, meeting people, interviewing rag-pickers, collecting data from the neighbouring hospitals, chatting with venders and shop-keepers till they had got enough video footage as well as audio sound bites for their ten-minute documentary film. For two weeks they worked in the studios mastering the art of editing with the latest technology.

On June 20th Fr. Babu Joseph, the spokesperson of the CBCI, gave away certificates to the participants. He hoped that they would take back the skills learnt at NISCORT, to contribute more effectively for justice and peace. One of the participants said: “Never had we thought of coming to NISCORT and having such a well-designed video production course. It is a great privilege that we got to do something for our own people. Although we are the victims and full of sorrows, anxieties and worries inside, yet, it was modified and we bloomed into gladness because of the love, affection and teaching of NISCORT family. Within the short span of time we have tried to understand where we were and where we are now.”

Another said: “Documenting the lives of the people around taught us not just the techniques of camera and editing. It taught me how to feel with the people from within. When we went to the slum we had many ideas about their lives. The process has made us more humane and compassionate. We consider it a blessing from God that he let us stay with our friends from Kandhamal. The best sermon is lives lived, not preaching. They have lived the sermon and become witnesses of Jesus. Working together with you dear friends, really made us appreciate your simplicity, dedication and friendly nature.”

We at NISCORT are hopeful that the training offered to our friends from Khandamal will make a difference to the way they document the happenings and events in their uncertain situation. Though the painful atrocities committed may seem to be a thing of the past, the participants reminded us that there is still uncertainty in their lives and the struggle goes on even today. NISCORT is planning to offer some more training and long-term help for building a cadre of professionals to work for the Church and society for the development of the people of Khandamal.