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Documentary
Jama Masjid + Feathered Friends
Whilst the pigeons in Jama Masjid are free, a stark reality occurs just hundreds of meters away at the Jama Masjid bird market and across the road behind the Red Fort at INA Market; feathered species of all kinds are cooped up waiting for an exchange of swabs of rupees for their lives and freedom. Although the Indian Wildlife Protection Act 1972 exist, enforcement is lacking.
Taj Mahal, the Crown Palace
The Taj Mahal is regarded as one of the eight wonders of the world that was constructed over a period of twenty-two years, employing twenty thousand workers by Emperor Shah Jahan in the memory of his dear wife – queen Mumtaz Mahal. Completed in 1648 C.E. at a cost of 32 Million Rupees, the Taj is an “elegy in marble” or some say an expression of a “dream.”
Suryavarman II Sacred Angkor Wat
Built in the early 12th C as King Suryavarman II’s temple state and capital city, Angkor Wat was neglected after the 16th C only to be discovered by French explorer – Henri Mouhot – in the mid-19th C. Restoration begun in the 20th C and continues today by foreign parties despite the establishment of the Angkor World Heritage Site that provides funds to the Cambodian government.
Addressing India’s School Dropouts
Spending just 3.5% of GDP on education, of India’s 1 million schools, most are state-run and sub-standards. Set against this backdrop, a physically handicapped man funds a private school that dishes out scholarship and subsidised fees for the deserving with hope to provide skills to the improvished and dropouts.
The Homeless, Rural India and COP15
While buzz is on the leaked draft, disarray climate talks that threatens international unity and speculations on India and China’s move at COP 15, there is a stark difference on the ground: playing catch-up, re-thinking energy development strategy and focusing on key drivers for transition right through the grass root levels.
Spastic Children’s Association
Established in February, 1960 in a garage of the Red Cross to address the shortfall in the education system that does not cater to children suffering from cerebral palsy (CP), the Spastic Children Association caters for 300 students to date providing inclusive education aimed at creating self-reliant individuals.
The Tibetan Diaspora – 50 years on
The first exodus into India took place in 1959 in the wake of the failure of the Lhasa Uprising. Today, approximately 220,000 Tibetans are dispersed globally and Tibetan Buddhism has a following of more than the population of Tibet despite accusations of charlatanism, commercialism, power-politicking, immoral behaviour and radically different teaching across the four schools.
Hashish Children of Kullu
Raking in Rs900 crore p.a., locals alongside a nexus of expats and international smugglers have cashed in on the charas resulting in stronger enforcements from the Indian police and the Narcotics Control Bureau. Those that face the greatest lost are the children in this valley; forced into the cartels’ trap, removed from the officials’ radar.
14th Dalai Lama
The 14th Dalai Lama is 572 years old by the Gelugpa Buddhist reckoning of reincarnation of his predecessors. An inspiration for 6 million Tibetans, and 100,000 impoverished Tibetan refugees in India and Nepal who followed his lead into exile, photos and newspaper cutting of him are found around the TRSHC.
1 of 10 Million Blind
More than 1.5% of India is blind. Of these 15 million, almost two thirds are blind due to cataract where surgery is one of the most cost effective health interventions known and most operated eye condition with highest rate of success and satisfaction. Barriers to access cataract surgery includes financial, fear, distance, lack of awareness and support, all of which are more prevalent in rural and peri-urban areas.
Cancer Is A Bitch
More than 100 million skin cancers are diagnosed annually. However, only 3% of skin cancer cases are melanoma, which causes more than 75% of skin cancer death. Unfortunately, melanomas in Asians tends to be at advanced stages during diagnosis due to its occurance on non-exposed skin with less pigmentation.
I am HIV+
In April 2009, 6 people stood tall and proud and uttered these simple but profound words that would change their world: “I am HIV+”. Through their eyes, an educational process took shape that helped spread the message of awareness and inspired others to come forth and lead a life worth fighting for.