Gujarat riots victims turn amateur documentary makers

Gujarat riots victims turn amateur documentary makersAhmedabad, Jan 1 : Surviving victims of the 2002 Gujarat Riots on Friday showcased their artistry in cinematography by becoming amateur documentary filmmakers.

A voluntary forum named Saath has helped these victims to fulfill their celluloid dreams by associating them with a local film production unit, Samvad Video.

Working under the banner of Samvad Video, most of these filmmakers are uneducated who even find it difficult to make both ends meet.

"People from the villages are taking great interest in the films which are made here as these are issues related to them and are very close to them. The films are also accepted by the people,” said Yasmin Rehmani, of NGO Saath

The films are shown when the prime time television soaps are telecast and they leave those (popular) programmes to watch these documentary films made by us," he added.

Viewers have opined that these movies send across an effective social message.

"These documentary films are good and send a message to the world about discouraging dowry and boosting the communal harmony so that all the grudges and hatred from the hearts of elders and children can be wiped away and for that it is very important to tell them about communal harmony," noted Mansuri Zahira , a resident of Juhapura.

More than 2,000 people, were killed in the 2002 riots after a suspected mob had torched a train, burning to death 59 pilgrims and activists.

Hundreds of families were also rendered homeless with a majority among them losing their sole means of daily bread.

The Gujarat violence was one of India''''''''s worst bloodshed since independence in 1947. (ANI)