South Mumbai Slums Look Back At Police Action During Lockdown With Gratitude

It's finally here...the wait is over! Unsung Mumbai Police - Colaba Division produced by DraftCraft Films in collaboration with The Draft has been released in public domain and is available for free viewing. 

This documentary was created as part of #TheUnsungProject kickstarted by Unsung - The Film that was released in November 2020. It captures the selfless dedication of those whose contributions would otherwise go ... unsung.

Mumbai's population is estimated to be 20.82 million (2.08 crores) in 2022 as per the Mumbai Metropolitan Region estimates of UN World Urban Agglomeration Population Prospects. Compare that to New York City's 8.2 million and London's 9.5 million and you can see things in perspective.

Statistics released by the Mumbai Police in their annual crime conference in early 2022 revealed about one-fourth of sanctioned posts in the Inspector cadre and about one-fifth of the sanctioned posts in the Constabulary are yet lying vacant.

Constabulary, which forms the backbone of ground-level policing, also has a high number of vacant posts. Of the total sanctioned strength of 40,622 posts, 33,236 comprising Police Constables, Police Naiks, Head Constables and Assistant Sub-Inspectors are filled, leaving 7,386 posts vacant.

These vacancies include 5,141 entry-level posts of Police Constables and 1,494 posts of Head Constables both of which play an important role in maintaining law and order.

To tackle the spread of COVID-19 and ensure social distancing, masking and mandatory 'stay indoors' caveats were followed, was a tall task. Particularly so, in the overflowing slum pockets that pepper the landscape of Colaba.

There was overwhelming resistance from slum residents 'contained' in crowded zones in tiny rooms ensconced in narrow lanes and frustrated on being forced to stay indoors for days on end.

With every passing day, cases of COVID-19 continued to surmount. Apart from the fear of contracting the virus, death and penury due to loss of work, it was the fear of the unknown that hit the worst. Nobody knew for how long would the turmoil last and when would it end, if at all.

The Draft Colaba's Unsung Mumbai Police - Colaba Division details the superhuman efforts undertaken by the Mumbai Police's Colaba Division that includes personnel from Cuffe Parade Police Station, Colaba Police Station and Marine Drive Police Station.

Two years after the first onslaught of COVID-19 and two lockdowns later, the slum-dwellers look back in gratitude.

The police recall their ordeals, the losses suffered within their ranks, how they performed their duty even in the face of a certain death and managed masses at the sure risk of contracting COVID-19 themselves.

Hundreds from the force got infected, registered losses even deaths along the way.

Here goes: A Tribute!

Watch Unsung Mumbai Police - Colaba Division (May 2022) here.

Watch Unsung - The Film (November 2020) here.

Watch all segments under #TheUnsungProject here.

Follow The Draft Colaba: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube

Unsung - The Film

#UnsungTheFilm #TheUnsungProject #UnsungIndia

'Unsung' captures the selfless dedication of those Indians whose contributions during COVID-19 times, would otherwise go ... unsung.

Team Unsung spread across 20 States, 5 Union Territories and over 100 Cities and Villages in India, to document stories of hope, hard work and dedication of thousands, in the time of COVID-19.

From April 2020 onwards, a spurt of COVID-19 cases threatened to snowball into a disaster of epic proportions in India. The country had to grapple with overwhelming population and space crunch issues that only made things worse. And then, like the proverbial Phoenix, India rose again. And, with it an army working silently within borders, facing COVID challenges with grit and, out in the open!

Doctors, Nurses and Health Workers worked endlessly to treat the ailing, for days, particularly in government and civic hospitals. While a lot of doctors refused to work, fearing contracting the virus themselves, there were gynaecologists, ophthalmologists, gastroenterologists, dentists and general practitioners who braved the situation and treated patients for a host of diseases, even other than COVID.

And, working towards turning the tide were others too. Like,

Pharmacy and Chemist Workers who sold medicines, essential drugs and the supplements so needed during the period while braving police action and curfew norms during the lockdown;

Pathology Laboratory Workers who ran blood works, critical diagnostic examinations and COVID-19 tests across India even in far-flung Andaman & Nicobar Islands; 

Postal Workers who braved all lockdown hurdles to reach medicines, cash and other deliverables to homes in containment zones even in the harsh terrains of Jammu & Kashmir;

Bank Employees who ensured financial reach and assistance to millions of households in rural Odisha, Jharkhand, Assam, Meghalaya and others;

Civic Workers who travelled for hours from their homes to work daily and ensure cities stayed clean and sanitised even in high-risk COVID hotspots; 

The BEST Workers who transported essential service providers even at a time when Mumbai's lifeline, the local train service, was stopped to prevent the spread of the virus;

Grocers and Vegetable Vendors who opened shops and stalls and made deliveries to ensure households ran without a hitch during this time;

And, Police Personnel who spilled out onto the streets to ensure people wore masks, maintained the mandatory physical distancing and...stayed safe. Thousands contracted the virus in the process, some even died! 

Unsung is 

A DRAFTCRAFT FILMS PRODUCTION In Collaboration With THE DRAFT

Subscribe: https://tinyurl.com/DraftCraftFilms

CREATED & DIRECTED BY: Gajanan Khergamker

PRODUCTION: Manu Shrivastava, Renuka Goel, Susan Lobo, Vedika Jain

DIRECTION: Kavitha Subramanian, Rashmi Singhvi, Gayathri Vasudevan, Anisha S

CREATIVE: Mihir Naik, Sagarika Sen, Sonal Aggarwal, Manu Shrivastava, Vipul Sheth, Rashmi Parab, Ruchi Verma, Nivedita Bose

SOUND: Nilesh Ranjan, Prashant Joshi

LEGAL: Meena Nair, Kusum Mehta, Siddharth Thakur, Manisha Singh

MUSIC: National Anthem Instrumental - Hello TechJi | https://www.bensound.com | Vande Matram Instrumental - Moyal

Web: https://draftcraftfilms.com | https://thedraftworld.com

Facebook: https://facebook.com/DraftCraftFilms | https://facebook.com/TheDraftWorld

Twitter: https://twitter.com/DraftCraftFilms | https://twitter.com/TheDraftWorld

Instagram: https://instagram.com/DraftCraftFilms | https://instagram.com/TheDraftWorld 

This DraftCraft Films Production was created in conjunction with The Draft as part of the Pro Bono Publico genre. This documentary was created in Good Faith, Not For Profit, Without Prejudice and for Public Good. Unsung was created by DraftCraft Films Productions’ team of segment producers, correspondents, researchers, film-makers and coordinators networked across India during the national lockdown in 2020, for over three months. The team generated the material, even sourced key information from partner organisations and state entities from across India, in person and electronically while observing the mandatory social distancing norms as laid down by law.

DISCLAIMER: Unsung is a creative enterprise produced by Gajanan Khergamker through DraftCraft Films Productions for its Pro Bono Publico genre, Without Prejudice, and is a Not For Profit venture. This is to undertake the entities featured in Unsung are only indicative and symbolic of the segment and should not be construed, in any way, to undermine the work done by any other entity during the lockdown, and not included in the documentary. Unsung has been created in 'good faith' and for 'pro bono' purposes. DraftCraft Films Productions, its extended teams, associates or Gajanan Khergamker do not endorse the views or credentials of any entity featured herein for its role during the COVID-19 pandemic and the lockdown in India.

Lights, Sound ... Lockdown

Lights, Sound ... Lockdown
Mumbai In The Time Of COVID-19

On 25 March 2020, Mumbai, the city that never sleeps, went into a slumber during the world's largest lockdown launched by India to control the spread of COVID-19. For the first time, in the history of the Maximum City, her lifeline - the trains - came to a halt, roads lay barren and the city...shut!

Marking the successful completion of one month of the national lockdown today - 25 April 2020, The Draft in conjunction with DraftCraft Films, has released 'Lights, Sound ... Lockdown' - a documentary capturing 'Mumbai In The Time Of COVID-19' at Ground Zero.

Conceptualised by Film-maker Gajanan Khergamker, this DraftCraft Films Production was created in conjunction with The Draft as part of The Ground Zero Project. The project documents reality in India and Beyond Borders...at Ground Zero!

All material provided in the documentary is copyrighted. It may, however, be shared and distributed freely but only 'as is' and 'with attribution' to DraftCraft Films Productions.

NOTE: The material for this documentary was generated during the first month of India's lockdown from 25 March 2020 to 24 April 2020 by Team DraftCraft from across Mumbai while, at all times, observing the mandatory social distancing norms as laid down by law.

YouTube link to the documentary: https://youtu.be/IiINc4Bl7FI
www.draftcraftfilms.com
www.thedraftworld.com
www.draftcraft.org
www.gajanankhergamker.com

#LightsSoundLockdown #DraftCraftFilms #TheDraft #DraftCraftInternational #Documentary #GroundZero #COVID19 #TheGroundZeroProject #COVID19India #MumbaiLockdown #MumbaiInTheTimeOfCOVID19 #CoronavirusPandemic #IndiaFightsCorona

Casa De Cha

'Casa De Cha' is part of an ongoing initiative of DraftCraft Institute of History and Heritage Management in conjunction with DraftCraft Films Productions. The Institute documents history, heritage and socio-cultural processes in India and Beyond Borders. All material is copyrighted. It may, however, be shared and distributed freely but only 'as is' and with attribution to 'DraftCraft International'.

The production is a self-financed 'Short' of the DraftCraft International's T.E.A.S.E.R. series (Talks, Exhibitions, Art, Shorts/Shows, Events, Readings/Research) and part of 'Cuisines Of Goa Project' where intrinsic relations between food, people and cultures are explored, documented and popularised. 

The Project involves film productions, exhibitions, talks, lectures, screenings (StopWatch) of lengthier, extensive versions of Shorts and research programmes held in Goa and across the world.

DraftCraft International's flagship initiative 'StopWatch' engages participants in discussions over film screenings for awareness and sensitisation on issues of social and cultural relevance.

StopWatch screenings and discussions are organised for interested groups, stakeholders, authorities and the public at large. The screenings are held at DraftCraft studios across India, Beyond Borders, at partner venues across the globe and in the open. You may commission a screening at your venue for a select audience as well. 

DraftCraft International's Goa Programme also includes and is not limited to several zone-specific projects, as follows: * Feni Project * Gomantak: Then and Now Project * Revival of the Goan Hindu Project * The Goa Inquisition Project * Heritage Trails in Goa Project * Made In Goa Project * International Relations and Goa Project * Tourism Policy in Goa Project * Churches of Goa Project * Unseen Goa Project * Architecture of Goan Catholics Project * Goa's Tryst with Nature Project * Sands of Goa Project

You may email on contact@draftcraft.in for information on the project, to commission a screening and/or to get involved.

The Daman Dash

Gajanan Khergamker | Daman

Daman’s most unassuming, unsung heroes, at the call of India's Prime Minister Narendra Damodardas Modi for demonetisation of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes on November 8th 2016, hurtled in a race against time to meet the December 31st 2016 target laid down by the government to clean the system.

Almost all of Daman's common, shop-keepers, fruit-sellers, modest middle-class families even school-going children rose to the occasion. Interestingly, even as the illiterate struggled despite their best of intentions, to figure out the way ahead in the cashless scenario, it were the school-teachers armed with Generation Next who rose to the occasion.

Thousands of children bolstered with a basic training on e-transfers and cashless transacting, went door to door across Daman training the poor trader, the illiterate feriwala, the uneducated chaiwala, the technologically-challenged elderly and the uninitiated in middle-class families to make the transition from a Cash-Dependent to a Cashless India.

In Daman, the Tandels, Mavs, Parikhs, Shabbirs and D’Cruzs, across communal lines, have shed their personal bias, even religious differences, in favour of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s call for demonetisation. Led by its young, Daman has dealt the first blow to black money, notched legendary success in its Dash ahead and stood tall to show the rest of India the way ahead.

‘Minor’ feet, ‘Major’ feat!
Manu Shrivastava | Daman

The old adage ‘Children are like wet clay and whatever falls on them leaves an impression’ may not apply to the handful of school children in the small Indian Union Territory of Daman. For, it is this lot of children that brought Daman on the national and international radars, impressing upon the nation and the world that children may be impressionable but they certainly can leave a mark!

Students of Standards 10th, 11th and 12th donning T-shirts and Caps provided by the administration had answered Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s call for demonetisation. And, to make the drive a success they had accepted the challenge to make Daman cashless…and the first in all of India to do so.

A month later, after the call for demonetisation was made, the media across India and beyond borders wrote reams about how Daman became India’s first cashless region and showed the way to the rest of the nation. Today, after December 19th 2016 when the government announced that Daman had become cent per cent cashless, the mornings in Daman changed.

Even as the entire nation debated and cribbed about government’s decision to opt for demonetisation; about how the Opposition was kept in the dark and about how the ‘poor were hit the worst’, the young of Daman had made the seemingly-impossible feat happen and changed their own destiny. Today Daman, owing to its children, stands tall.

Udvada...Where It All Began

Gajanan Khergamker | Udvada

The oldest yet-functional example of its kind, Udvada's Zoroastrian Atash Behram makes it a pilgrimage centre for Zoroastrians across the world. So, at any point of time, you'll have a 'foreigner' or an 'outsider' dropping by this quaint coastal town about 200 km north of Mumbai for the visit of a lifetime.

The Udvada Atash Behram is the most sacred of the Zoroastrian fire temples in India and the oldest continuously burning fire-temple fire in the world. It is also one of the nine Atash Behrams worldwide, eight of which are in western India (four in Mumbai, two in Surat, one in Navsari, and the one in Udvada) and one of which is in Yazd, in central Iran.

On Navroz, August 17th 2016, DraftCraft launched an initiative to research, document and popularise the oldest Atash Behram in the world and announced the launch of www.udvada.in aimed to strategically document the quaint zone complete with images, articles, documentaries and films for those unaware of its legendary value by hosting regular talks, workshops, exhibitions, shows and consultations in association with State institutions, community leaders, private entities and academic groups.

'Udvada...Where It All Began' is a film conceptualised and produced by DraftCraft Productions providing a virtual trip into Udvada and a glimpse of its quaint bye-lanes peppered with Parsi pilgrims, imposing structures speaking reams of a history gone by, the world's oldest Atash Behram, the local papad-sellers who have known the residents of Udvada for over decades and more, entirely in public interest and purely for social and educational purposes.

Keep an eye on www.udvada.in and write in to contact@draftcraft.in with any input or query on Udvada.

Go...Goa!

Team DF | Goa

The state of Goa is known best for its beaches, churches and cheap liquor. Tourism is its primary industry. This relatively small state, situated on the western coast of India, between the borders of Maharashtra and Karnataka, is better known to the world as a former Portuguese enclave.
European tourists mostly arrive in Goa in the winter months. Tourism, the backbone of Goa's economy, registers an annual spurt during five months towards the end of the year i.e., October, November, December, January and February before trickling off almost to a naught during the rest of the year.

Apart from its beaches, churches and cheap liquor, Goa has a lot more to offer. The Patto Bridge, the Latin Quarter and...the nearly 30,000 year-old rock carvings at Usgalimal are reasons to visit Goa even after the 'season' is over.

The Basilica of Bom Jesus located in Goa is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Basilica holds the mortal remains of St. Francis Xavier. Reis Magos is a village famous for two of Goa's famous structures; the Reis Magos Fort and the Reis Magos Church -- the first church in Bardez.

This Fort, surrounded by sturdy laterite walls studded with typically Portuguese turrets, was erected in 1551 to protect the narrowest point at the mouth of the Mandovi estuary. Restoration work on the fort began in 2008 and the fort is now converted into a cultural centre.

The one image of Goa that stays in public memory is that of the St Augustine tower in Old Goa. The 46 m-tall tower served as a belfry and formed part of the facade of a magnificent Church. Out of more than twenty churches which once existed in the old city of Velha Goa, only ten remain today. ...And, of these, four are actually chapels.

The churches were located on and between seven hills around the Velha Goa region. The Tower and Church were built in 1602 by the Augustinian friars who arrived in Goa in 1587.

Garbage remains Goa's biggest scourge. If the state has to achieve its right potential as a world-class tourist destination for the discerning traveller, the garbage dumped along the countryside needs to go. Also, residents will have to exercise civic sense. You just can't dump garbage into the sea.

THE UNSEEN GOA

The Fairytale Bridge

The Old Patto Bridge, built between the years 1632--35, is also named Ponde De Linhares after the Portuguese Viceroy Conde de Linhares, during whose tenure this major developmental activity was carried out. The Patto Bridge is a symbol of Goa's heritage and a legacy left by the Portuguese.

Shades of Portugal in the lanes of Panaji

Fontainhas or Bairro das Fontainhas, as called in Portuguese, is an old Latin Quarter in Goa's Panaji. One can witness a distinct Portuguese influence here. There are narrow streets, old villas and buildings painted in lively colors. The quarter, earmarked as a heritage zone, gives a peek into how Panaji was during the Portuguese rule. The Latin Quarter should be given the recognition it deserves and, if projected well, could ensure a regular flow of tourists throughout the year.

History...On The Rocks

In 1993, local villagers discovered mysterious rock carvings on the laterite shelf at the bend in west-flowing river Kushavati outside the village. They lay on the banks of river Kushavati, in South Goa district. These engravings exhibit the earliest traces of human settlement in India.

These petroglyphs (rock art) are approximately 20,000 years to 30,000 years old and belong to the Upper Paleolithic or Mesolithic era. The spot, that lies about one km down from the main road between Rivona to Neturlim, is an archaeological wonder.

Goa will stand to gain immense mileage if Usgalimal is promoted as a prime tourist spot complete with directional information and state-guided tours. Goa has a lot more to offer tourists than its beaches, churches and cheap liquor.

You could:
* Book a room at a lodge in the Latin Quarter.
* Take a walk on the Patto Bridge while at it.
* Go for a ride straight into South Goa, follow the Kushavati River and see the age-old petroglyphs which need to be preserved.
To do this, you don't need to go in any particular season. Do it.
Go...Goa!

gajanan@draftcraft.in
www.draftcraft.in

(Disclaimer: 'Go...Goa!' has been produced by DraftCraft Productions in public interest, in good faith and without prejudice. It can be copied or distributed freely. However, anyone doing so should use it 'as is' without any change and retain creative attributions)

The Right To Walk

Team DF | Mumbai

The Right To Life as provided in The Constitution of India through Article 21 assures all an associated Right To Walk. Over the years, it has become nearly impossible for the common man to walk in public places, along public spaces and exercise a right that is intrinsically associated with your very Right To Life. Your Right To Walk is associated with an inbuilt guarantee of safe passage without risk of injury or threat to life and property. But, are you assured of your Right To Walk?

Hardly!
There are obstacles and impediments of all sorts on footpaths and roads alike, in cities all across India. With hard-nosed residents parking vehicles, often arbitrarily, in front of entrances to residential structures in violation of the local civic law; situations where the civic authorities turn a blind eye to barricades dumped unceremoniously onto footpaths, even in the middle of the road, posing a risk to motorists and pedestrians alike; to instances of corporates working closely with the authorities to collectively usurp public space and property lawfully meant for the pedestrian, the common man's Right To Walk risks being completely subverted.

This campaign undertaken by DraftCraft is aimed to educate, inform and advocate for the common man's Right To Walk.Through the Right To Walk campaign (http://rightowalk.blogspot.in/), DraftCraft will provide legal support by way of drafting RTI applications, pose legal queries before pertinent civic officials, even represent affected groups and individuals at relevant fora; hold workshops, exhibitions and talks to help bridge differences; create content by way of editorials and films to drive home the point and urge the authority to intervene and resolve; help provide targeted advocacy for niche causes and Be The Change!

DraftCraft is an India-based media-legal think-tank that endeavours to research, document, film and advocate on behalf of the most ignored, under-reported, marginalised sections of society. DraftCraft has been initiated by Gajanan Khergamker - independent editor, legal counsel and documentary film-maker - with over three decades of experience.

Visit: www.draftcraft.org / www.rightowalk.blogspot.in / www.gajanankhergamker.com
Facebook: DraftCraft International / Gajanan Khergamker
Twitter: @DraftCraftSpeak / @IndiaRighter
Instagram: @DraftCraftInternational / @IndiaRighter

(Disclaimer: 'The Right To Walk' has been produced by DraftCraft Productions in public interest, in good faith and without prejudice. It can be copied or distributed freely. However, anyone doing so should use it 'as is' without any change and retain creative attributions)

Save Backgarden

Team DF | Mumbai

"Whether a swimming pool on South Mumbai's Backgarden has legal sanction or not isn't the important thing. What matters is that there should be proper public consultation in the regard. And, the interests of weaker segments should be safeguarded," feels DraftCraft founder Gajanan Khergamker.

"'Save Backgarden' - A documentary produced by DraftCraft (Films) Productions - has been created only to put all the parties' perspectives in one place making it easier for anyone to understand the issue," he says.

It has been initiated by Gajanan Khergamker - an independent editor, legal counsel and filmmaker - with over three decades of experience. DraftCraft fetches legal aid to the deprived through activism and legal intervention. The think tank provides a platform for the affected through campaigns aimed to agitate and advocate for the underdog.

Public dissent over the construction of a swimming pool in South Mumbai's 'Backgarden' and resistance by a section of the locals, even direct beneficiaries, made it a key issue for DraftCraft.

(Disclaimer: 'Save Backgarden' has been produced by DraftCraft Productions in public interest, in good faith and without prejudice. It can be copied or distributed freely. However, anyone doing so should use it 'as is' without any change and retain creative attributions)

In The Dock

Team DF | Mumbai

In The Dock - a DraftCraft Initiative - documents the travails of a section of the lakhs of Banjaras, Kolis, Kannadigas, Tamilians and North Indians residing in South Mumbai's slums, whose lives are fully dependent on Sassoon Docks.

The documentary on the subject, issued in Public Interest, is a bona fide attempt to document the agony of the migrant labour. A monsoon closure of the Docks, as is a norm, sends everyone dependent on the place for a living, scurrying for alternate means of living during the period, year after year.

Should Sassoon Docks close down for good, as is widely feared will be the outcome of a series of litigations, it will be a sheer disaster for the poorest of poor working at one of Mumbai's oldest docks.

DNA Profiling - Inherent risk of arbitrariness and presumption of guilt - A DraftCraft Report

Team DF | Mumbai

A DNA test is popularly considered as 'conclusive evidence' but sadly tends to charge the accused with a 'presumed guilt' until the findings arrive which may go on to prove innocence albeit a wee late. There's an urgent need to monitor arbitrary DNA testing which if done frivolously causes irretrievable harm to the reputation of a suspect and loss of work, affects quality of life and credibility.

It's an outright violation of human rights if committed arbitrarily or in excess. In the case of the triple Cuffe Parade rape-murders, the police have embarked on a manhunt of sorts and, in the bargain, undertaken 916 DNA tests till date. With about 200-odd results having arrived, the police maintain that it's the slow pace at which the DNA testing labs have been providing results that has stalled investigations.

Cuffe Parade's slum-dwellers are petrified of the police and claim that they pick them up at odd hours to question them and have taken their DNAs. Even a victim's mother, father, grandfather and great-grandmother claim that the police have been harassing them unduly In view of an attempt to pass a law making DNA profiling mandatory, the issue beings into focus the various facets that need to be examined before such a law is cleared. At the Centre, the UPA government is set to introduce a DNA Profiling Bill in the winter session of Parliament. Once a law, the government will have the authority to collect huge amounts of sensitive DNA data of citizens even if they are 'suspects' in a criminal case. The data will be held till the person is cleared by court.

There are fears of privacy issues as the law empowers the government to create intrusive databases. The contention here is that once a person's DNA is collected, he is presumed 'guilty' by neighbours, family members, friends even work colleagues bringing normalcy to a screeching halt. By the time the DNA test's results are revealed to him, the harm is done. It almost translates into presumption of guilt until proved innocent...an anti-thesis of what our legal system pivots on...the presumption of innocence. Also, there are legal issues of consent, viability of evidence and other issues that need to be examined.

Simply resorting to seemingly arbitrary or random collection of DNA samples of the 900-odd 'suspects' is excessive, bad in law and a case appropriate for the intervention of the state human rights commission. A check is well in order.