The Hindu : To London with little heroes and heroics

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, May 18, 2003

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Other States - New Delhi

To London with little heroes and heroics

By Lakshmi Balakrishnan

NEW DELHI MAY 17. They call themselves "Four S''. A name that probably sounds straight out of an Enid Blyton book, but actually revolves round real life stories that are far from the cold ginger ale and chocolate cake-laced summer holiday episodes of Blyton's "heroes''.

But then the Four S are only a part of the hundreds of children who are currently learning various art forms at a workshop by CASP-PLAN at the sprawling Sanskriti complex here on Mehrauli-Gurgaon Road. They may not have had the best of conditions to grow up in, but, instead of complaining, they have decided to make up for lost time.

And with at least two of the participating children here set now for a trip to Britain to take part in "One World Festival'' where their work will be screened, the joy is evident on the young faces. Made by members of Delhi Bal Panchayat, the film on drug abuse was the result of a similar workshop.

``Making the film was not easy. None of the children wanted to come out into the open as they were afraid the film would be seen by one of their family members. Most of these children were lying at home about doing drugs, so it was challenging,'' says Saroj, one of the children involved in the making of the film.

They may be more than modest about the recognition that has come their way thanks to this film, but they are more open about the other celluloid works the Panchayat has done and is doing. "We have finished working on a film on the Jallianwala Bagh and members from the Bangalore section are doing another, `Aurat Aurat Ki Dushman'. We plan to work only on social issues that will give the message we want,'' says Sudhir, another member.

Though the screening of the film is currently restricted to only their community, the children are confident that more families and children will join them over the coming months. "We know we can make a difference,'' adds Saroj. And with their voice having already made it from Delhi to London, a remarkable journey has hopefully just begun.

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