Showcasing Gadchiroli’s Anaemia Eradication Journey

This multimedia assignment centred on an nutrition programme was jointly spearheaded by the Government of Maharashtra and Tata Trusts.
Women from Gadchiroli, Maharashtra sowing rice | Photo by Simit Bhagat
Women from Gadchiroli, Maharashtra sowing rice | Photo by Simit Bhagat

Commissioned by the Government of Maharashtra and Tata Trusts, we were tasked with the development of an impactful multimedia project that would shed light on the significance and accomplishments of their anaemia eradication initiative.

With an emphasis on raising awareness among the Madia community, this assignment underscored the profound impact that Fortified Rice has in the fight against anaemia. The complete assignment included a project impact film, awareness videos featuring influential figures, and a photo essay. Collectively, these showcases the triumphs, challenges faced, and community mobilisation efforts of the Fortified Rice initiative.

Watch the full video here

To delve deeper into this multimedia project, let’s break down the process we followed for this video documentation work: 

Research and Planning: To begin with, our project began with an in-depth study of the anaemia eradication programme. During this phase, we identified crucial stakeholders and local beneficiaries, and organised on-field production details.

Interviews: Engaging with community members, Tata Trusts representatives, and government officials allowed us to gather a range of perspectives. Additionally, these interviews provided valuable insights into the challenges faced by the Madia tribe and their dietary practices. They also helped in understanding the effectiveness of existing interventions in the anaemia eradication programme. 

Community Engagement: Notably, documenting awareness sessions, camps, and workshops played a crucial role in addressing scepticism, informing locals, and instilling faith in the Fortified Rice initiative.

Visual Storytelling: By using compelling visuals, we supplemented interviews with footage that effectively communicated the initiative’s challenges, community engagement campaigns, and positive outcomes. Moreover, this approach helped to create a more immersive experience for viewers. It also enhanced their understanding of the initiative’s impact and inspired greater support for its goals.

Editing: In the post-production phase, we brought to life the strength of our visual storytelling. Specifically, narratives, interviews, and footage were skillfully interwoven to stitch a captivating short documentary.

Review and Feedback: Ultimately, the documentary effectively conveyed its message through consistent alignment with the programme’s objectives. This achievement was the result of collaborative work with various stakeholders.

A ration shop owner showing fortified rice grains | Photo by Simit Bhagat
A ration shop owner showing fortified rice grains | Photo by Simit Bhagat

This multimedia endeavour that spotlighted Gadchiroli’s struggle against anaemia significantly contributed to the recognition of the transformative power of Fortified Rice. By blending visually impactful elements with captivating narratives, we showcased the journey of a community towards health and vitality.

Furthermore, the project also authentically reflected the determination shown by the Government of Maharashtra and Tata Trusts. This determination aimed to bring about tangible change in people’s lives through advancements in public health and social impact.


 

Client: Government of Maharashtra and Tata Trusts 
Discipline: Film and Photography 
Director and Editor: Simit Bhagat
Assistant Director and Graphic Designer: Joel Machado
Researcher and Script Writer: Sameer Bhagat
Sound Designer: Sushant Murkar
Music: Purple Planet
Voice Artist: Swarnima Ranade

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Swanand Deo

Web Development Specialist

Swanand Deo is a WordPress and Web Development Specialist working on various digital projects. With over a decade of experience in the design and development space, he has collaborated with over 50 national and international clients. He specialises in User Experience (UX) design, WordPress development, and creating engaging digital experiences. He holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the University of Pune.

Mrinali Parmar

Associate (Partnerships)

Mrinali Parmar works on operations and building partnerships with social impact organisations. With five years of work experience, she has focused on education and promoting awareness of climate change and sustainability in her operations role. She holds a Master’s Degree in Commerce from the University of Mumbai and is passionate about linguistics, speaking six languages.

Swarnima Ranade

Voice Actress

Swarnima Ranade is a medical doctor turned voice actress who has done voice-over work for everything from commercials to documentaries to corporate narration to children’s books. She has worked with numerous noteworthy businesses in the past, such as Tata, Uber, Walmart, and YouTube Kids. She graduated from SVU in Gujarat with a degree in dental surgery.

Kumar Shradhesh Nayak

Illustrator

Kumar Shradhesh Nayak is a professional artist, illustrator, and graphic designer who studied at the National Institute of Fashion Technology in Hyderabad. His experience includes stints at EkakiVedam and Design Avenue, both of which are prominent advertising firms. He enjoys trying out new approaches to illustration and creates artwork for a variety of projects.

Divya Shree

Content Producer cum Editor

Divya Shree is a media alumna from Symbiosis Institute in Pune who loves producing and editing non-fiction content. She has directed, shot, and edited videos for various productions. Her strengths are research, audience awareness, and the presentation of intricate topics with clarity and interest.

Manish Mandavkar

Motion Editor

Manish Mandavkar has studied animation at Arena Animation in Mumbai. He has previously worked on animated videos and motion graphics for brands, including Unilever and Zee Movies. An avid gamer, he is also passionate about sketching and photography. He holds a degree in Commerce from the University of Mumbai.

Joel Machado

Film Editor

Mumbai-based creative consultant and film editor Joel Machado has worked on documentaries as well as films in the mainstream Bollywood sector. He was also the Chief Assistant Director on the Jackie Shroff short, “The Playboy, Mr. Sawhney.” In addition to earning a B.Com from Mumbai University, he attended the city’s Digital Academy to hone his script writing skills.

Apoorva Kulkarni

Partnership Manager

Apoorva Kulkarni is the Partnerships Manager, and is responsible for developing strategic alliances and collaborative initiatives with other organisations in the social development ecosystem. For the past five years, she has been employed by major corporations, including Perthera (USA) and Genotypic Technology. She has written and published poetry, and she has been an integral part of The Bidesia Project. At Georgetown University in the United States, she earned a Master of Science in Bioinformatics.

Aliefya Vahanvaty

Sr. Creative Partner

Senior Creative Partner, Aliefya Vahanvaty has worked in a wide range of editorial roles over the course of her career, gaining experience as a correspondent, copy editor, writer, photographer, and assistant editor at publications like the Times of India, Forbes India, Open Magazine, Impact Magazine, and others. In addition to her MA in Sociology from Mumbai University, she also has an MA in Photojournalism from the University of Westminster in the United Kingdom.

Simit Bhagat

Founder

Founder, Simit Bhagat has worked in the fields of filmmaking, project management, and journalism for over 15 years. He has served in a variety of positions for organisations like the Times of India, the Maharashtra Forest Department, the Tata Trusts, and the Thomson Reuters Foundation. From the University of Sussex in the United Kingdom, he earned a Master of Arts in Science, Society, and Development.