New Delhi   

Now they can tell their story and make money too

P. Anima

NEW DELHI: For women living in slums and juveniles in custody, a multimedia technique called "Digital Story Telling'' is fast becoming a window for creative expression and employment. The technique is picking up among the marginalised section of society as a cost-effective medium for telling the world their personal stories and tales forgotten within the confines of slums and custodial home.

Barely three-minute-long, this story telling comprises visuals, text, narration and background scores. It does not need a video camera and can be screened through computers, projectors or televisions. Non-government organisation Datamation Foundation along with UNESCO imparted training in this regard to 10 women in the 13 to 26 years age group at Seelampur, Ballimaran and Kichripur in Delhi last year. The women, mostly from minority communities, gave expression to lives marred by domestic violence, alcoholism and restriction on movement.

"Digital Story Telling aims to impart technical skills to the marginalised," said Research Associate Aseem Asha Usman, who is part of both projects.

"In the new economy it is important not to confine women to traditional skills of embroidery and stitching," said Sarita Sharma, Trustee of Datamation Foundation. The NGO is now imparting training to the boys of Neev Baal Grah at Kingsway Camp and helping them tell stories of their hopes, dreams and apprehensions about life behind and beyond bars. For about 20 boys in the 15 to 25 years age group at the observation home, this is a mode for creative expression and possible employment later. "A film was made here and screened at a UNESCO workshop earlier this month, while work on two others are underway," said Mr. Usman.

Computer knowledge is not mandatory for people to learn Digital Story Telling. While the women of Seelampur had undergone basic computer training, most of the boys at the observation home have hardly completed school. The process involves writing a story, finding relevant visuals followed by sound recording and editing. What makes this method significant at the community level is its income-generating prospects.

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