“A ‘Zero To Hero’ Collaborative Approach’’ tells the inspirational success story of a unique Public-Private- Academia-Community Partnership (PPACP) which led to the upliftment of farmers in Nabarangpur District [a district in Odisha (India) otherwise known as District Zero for being the poorest district in India]. This project has transformed them into heroes.
An agrarian Panchayat realizes need of ‘extension activities’ to improve yield and quality in agriculture. It collaborates with a CSO and develops ‘Centre of Empowerment’ (CoE). Agricultural experts from credible organizations and District officials offer information, skills and hands-on experience on demonstration plots in CoE. Total infrastructure is created with Panchayat’s labour input, expert bodies’ knowledge input, Government’s quality planting material, and CSOs’s management inputs. Sale proceeds of CoE meet its necessary costs. Odisha Government recognized the strong Public-Private- Academia-Community Partnership (PPACP) behind CoE and is awarding the project as Innovative Idea for 2015-16. Around 200 farmers are regularly benefiting from CoE.
Written and directed by multi-award winning filmmaker Biswanath Rath (CEO of BnR Films), the film was released on World Food Day as a tribute to all the farmers. ‘Centre of Empowerment’ spread over 31 Acres of land developed by Govindalaya at Soruguda village (Dangarbheja Panchayat) appears to be slowly changing image of the district. Experts from Academic institutions (OUAT, KVK etc) and district level officers are using its facilities to train local farmers and demonstrate various agriculture and horticulture related techniques.
About the Filmmaker
Submitted by Biswanath Rath
A post-graduate in Screenwriting and Film Direction, Biswanath Rath has got several award winning ad films, short films, music videos, documentaries to his credit in last 4.5 years as writer and director. He hails from Jeypore (Odisha, India) and heads Chennai based ad-film production company ‘BnR Films LLP’.
‘Kar Bhalaa’ (English Title: ‘Do Good’) was his debut short film (student short film) which is based on a true story in Chennai. Amidst critics and audience appreciation, the film went on to receive two awards as well as screenings in a total of 26 International Film Festivals (IFF). Post ‘Kar Bhalaa’, he has directed several award winning short films, Documentaries, Music videos, Corporate films, Ad-films, TVC under his banner ‘BnR Films’. His first social ad-film ‘’The ‘Right’ Glass’’ has won two awards and Official Selections in 33 International Film Festivals. His International music video “Feel The Passion’ has also received tremendous response in Social Media and has been screened in 8 International Film Festivals. Out of total 67 IFFs where his films have been screened, 42 are from outside India (his home country); USA, UK, Italy, Paris, Afghanistan, Iraq, Turkey, Melbourne, Beijing, Brazil etc. He has also directed ‘Namma Chennai Chancey illa-2016’ (English Title: ‘There is nothing like our Chennai’), a Tamil Music Video by leading Media Brand, ‘The Times of India’ based on the theme: Celebration of Chennai and it’s culture. He is presently writing his first feature script.
Biswanath Rath has always got strong inclination for inspirational themes, stories, concepts and especially the ones dealing with social change or development. ‘Local content with Global appeal’ is his Mantra for filmmaking. He aims to make global films/documentaries based on Indian culture, tradition, heritage and ways of life.
Filmmaker’s Website: http://bnrfilms.in