MUMBAI: Plan India’s aim of giving kids born to difficult circumstances in India the chance to have their voices heard has paid off handsomely. Its documentary Children Have Something to Say has won the One World Broadcasting Award in London.
Plan India got the Special Achievement Award. This was presented to a group of Indian children for producing a video magazine that is made by children for adults. This is the first time the award has been given to children and the first time it has been awarded to an Indian outfit.
The content comprises of 36 short films on issues affecting children ranging from child prostitution and tobacco addiction to child labour. Four of the filmmakers flew to London specially to collect their prize.
The video film project was initiated four years ago. Plan is a trans-national, humanitarian, child-centred community development organisation. It works in 45 countries to achieve lasting improvements in the quality of life of deprived children.
UK broadcasters ITV and BBC established the One World Broadcasting Award in 1987. It aims at encouraging the effective use of media to promote a clear and balanced awareness of human rights and global development issues. Every year 11 awards are given in addition to a Special Achievement Award.
One world Broadcasting Trust’s chairperson Sir Tony Young said; “In placing a microphone in the hands of impoverished children, they have given them the authority to question the practices about them; to challenge their treatment, and the treatment of their neighbours.
” The extraordinary quality of the films is a tribute to the undoubted talent of these children, and the benevolent almost non-existent guidance of the few adults involved. Films by children, for adults, of the highest calibre.”
Acting country director Plan -India S Ranganathan pointed out that having experienced the euphoria of getting the award it was important that the young filmmakers now disseminate what they had learnt among other children.
As far as some of the other categories were concerned Channel 4 News’ Gaby Rado got the TV News award for Romanian Sex-Slave Trade. The radio documentary award went to BBC Radio 4’s Virginia Crompton for On the Ebola Frontline. India received another mention courtesy Booker winner Arundhati Roy. The category was Women’s achievement , Dam/Age award