Summary
Nari Nokhkhotro, which has a run time of 17 minutes and 37 seconds, shows Tara’s parents eager to get her married much before she turns 18, against the wish of the girl who is keen on continuing her studies
A girl with the help of her school teacher goes against her parents’ wish to get her married. Years later, she is a doctor.
The state commission for protection of child rights is using a film to explain to schoolchildren in rural and semi-urban areas the perils of underage marriage and to inspire the little girls to dream beyond marriage.
Many students from these areas find the content relatable, said the chairperson of the commission.
“We know of several girls who have faced similar situations and thwarted their marriage. We have acknowledged them, too. We don’t want to highlight only the negative or tell a sad story, but highlight the positive aspect, too. The film ends on a positive note,” said Sudeshna Roy, chairperson, West Bengal Commission for Protection of Child Rights.
Girls and their families have to think beyond marriage. But they often need a helping hand to show them the right way, away from what they have known for generations.
“Many of them are first-generation learners who haven’t seen women before them dreaming,” said Roy.
Nari Nokhkhotro, which has a run time of 17 minutes and 37 seconds, shows Tara’s parents eager to get her married much before she turns 18, against the wish of the girl who is keen on continuing her studies.
The girl opposes the marriage. A teacher tries but fails to talk the parents out of their decision.
The groom’s father demands dowry and the teacher then points out that underage marriage is a punishable offence.
Tara calls Childline — a government helpline (1098) for children in distress — to seek support.
The fear of police stops Tara’s parents as well as the groom’s family in the tracks.
“Please forgive me.... I was forced to protest,” Tara tells her parents in the film.
Years later, when Tara becomes a doctor, her childhood friend comes to her for treatment. The girl was married underage and ill-treated by many. She is left with a child.
Tara takes responsibility of them.
“We girls have to take the responsibility of ensuring that girls move ahead,” Tara says in the film.
The film has been shot from a theatre production of a group, Birbhum Sanskriti Bahini, at Labhpur in Birbhum. The play has been written and directed by Ujjwal Mukhopadhyay.
“We saw this production in Gangasagar and then decided to shoot it. We show the film to schoolgirls, teachers and parents. The screening is followed by a question-answer session. It has been very well received. We have also sent the film to district child protection units and asked them to use it as an awareness tool,” said Roy.
Last updated on 26 Sep 2023
