Experince during a movie shoot on inclusive education

It is not an every day opportunity that you get to experience getting permission from a school to shoot them. I was one of the lucky few to get a first hand experience of taking permission and shooting the school without any inhibitions from their part. I am grateful to Patha Bhavan School for their cooperation with me.

One interaction can leave a deep mark with its simple message. At the school when I was shooting the kids, I could see the inclusiveness among all of them. The fact that I had to shift them from one place to another for the shoot was well coordinated and cooperated among the students to be interviewed with Rashmi (100% blind studies in a mainstream school).

They were not ‘helping’ her out, but simply holding each others hand and walking as any of us would with our friends! It was wonderful to know the very words of a teacher who is not a special educator but is a constant guide to Rashmi as any other student in the class. These particular words “she is like any other student for me” reverberates in my mind whenever I wonder why doesn’t everyone think and feel the same. I saw inclusive education in front of my eyes and wondered why do we have to talk about it and mobilise it? Isn’t it something very normal?

Soon, I realized it is not an obvious fact because most talk about the need for special schools. I believe the movie on Inclusive Education on behalf of the Campaigners for Inclusion will help people think otherwise and build a strong and effective public opinion.

Shooting Shampa di and Rashmila was sheer fun because they were like family members whom you just go and say what you need and they follow it up.

Kinshuk’s shoot was a part of the awareness program arranged by Sruti DisAbility Rights Centre where volunteers, teachers, disabled people shared their views. Both Rashmi and Kinshuk were present at the program and their precise yet simple words were enough to enrich one.

It is always true that when you know about one’s experiences, it tends to make a greater impact than theoretically reading up issues. When Kinshuk spoke about his life at a mainstream school and how it’s only because of the inclusiveness that he is a successful web designer today, I got a push. A push to spread the message to everyone and tell them- come ahead, broaden your mind, we are one!

Payal Sen

CRY Intern