Earth Reel 2017

With preparations on the go for the last four months which included a Survey of Positive or Negative Environmental Issue in Neighbourhood or Schools, A Macro Photography Workshop and a GIF Workshop, Earth Reel 2017 took place on 19th August at iLEAD.

With guidance and workshops on filmmaking conducted by Bichitra Pathshala, Earth Reel 2017 included surveying various aspects like water sabotage to garbage disposal and e-waste pollution, to depicting positive steps taken by government or schools in energy saving, separating waste and taking the message further globally.

Bichitra Pathshala, Earth Day Network and iLEAD envisioned a celebration of the 5th Earth Reel with a platform for students to spread awareness about the richness of the Earth by researching, documenting, filming and scripting to create an impact on the audience. Monideepa Banerjie of NDTV was Special Guest and interacted with the students on the use of smart phones for Citizen Reporters using their mobile device to send/receive files and also asked them to be a part of 'Behtar India Campaign'. iLEAD Chairman, Mr Pradip Chopra, provided his insights on finding solutions to environmental problems by reusing and recycling non biodegradable material in an innovative way that could also prove to be economical.

The Earth Reel 2017 winners of Junior Category (Students of Class VI-VIII) was "Battery Bachao, Battery Banao: A Study on E Waste" by Loreto Day Dharmatala, while the winners of Senior Category (Students of Class IX-XII) for Best Research were Dhulagori Adarsha Vidyalaya with their project PukurKatha which explored water crisis, while first prize for Best Public Service Announcement went to Water Crusaders, GD Birla Centre For Education. The first prize went to the project 'Roots', South City International School, which explored the life of plastic recyclers and their living conditions while the 1st Runners Up was the Project 'Literature', Shri Shikshayatan School and 2nd Runners Up was 'Noise Busters: Horn Not Ok Please', Lakshmipat Singhania Academy.

The jury included Kaustav Chaudhuri, Science Communicators Forum; Rohini Bhowmick, Lowe Lintas and Archan Mitra, Faculty, iLEAD. The prizes were given by Fr Gaston Roberge, "Father Cinema" of Kolkata. The participating schools were Ashok Hall Girls Higher Secondary School, Dhulagori Adarsha Vidyalaya, GD Birla Centre for Education, Lakshmipat Singhania Academy, Loreto Day School Bowbazar, Loreto Day School Dharmatala, Loreto Day School Sealdah, Mahadevi Birla Shishu Vihar, Mahadevi Birla World Academy, Modern High School For Girls, Sri Sri Academy, South City International School, Shri Shikshayatan School and The Heritage School.

There were interesting presentations on carbon footprint and vehicular traffic, on Kolkata's recycling communities, on the water crisis and on the garbage situation in the city. Some striking presentations were Sunny Side up from Heritage School which made a presentation on solar energy use in their school and neighboring villages while Trash to Cash from Modern High School for Girls explored recycling.