~The key highlights included the screening of ‘Margarita with a Straw’ on 14th February, 2017 (Tuesday), an insightful panel discussion in association with Varija Life on 17th February, 2017 (Friday) and finally wrapping up with the visit of differently abled members along with faculty and staff from FPH on 22nd February, 2017 (Wednesday).~
Whistling Woods International (WWI), Asia’s premier Film, Communication and Media Arts institute, dedicated an entire month towards the theme ‘Celebrating the lives of the Differently-abled @ WWI’, which aimed at spreading awareness about the special needs of differently abled people. The Film and Media institute, situated in the heart of Mumbai, has always believed to have a key role in the social welfare of the city, and an ethical responsibility towards the environment. Through its course of operation, WWI has proudly associated itself with several NGOs such as, Salaam Baalak Trust, Organ India, Laadli – A Population First Initiative, Aseema and working in support of LGBTQ filmmakers through the KASHISH – Mumbai International Queer Film Festival, among others for the welfare and development of the lesser privileged. With the aim of giving back to the society as responsible global citizens, students are encouraged to not limit their learnings to their curriculum, but much more. Following the tradition, ‘Celebrating the lives of the
Differently-abled’ as a part of the institute’s CSR activity, saw more than 130 members from Mumbai based NGO the ‘Fellowship of the Physically Handicapped (FPH)’ gracing the occasion with their presence, as they visited WWI campus.
One of the key highlights of the special week was a panel discussion held on in association with Varija Life titled ‘Recognising Ability over Disabilities’, to understand the special needs and abilities of differently abled people. The esteemed panelists included educationists like Varija Bajaj, Founder – Varija Life, Geeta Castelino, Head – CSR, Welingkar Institute of Management and Research, Rabiya Nazki, HOD – Producing, Whistling Woods International, Shama Sikander – Actor, Paras Sharma, Clinical Psychologist, The Tata Institute of Social Sciences and Somnath Sen, Director – Outreach and Affiliations, Whistling Woods International. With over 200 students in attendance, the panellists shed light on the need for a sustainable change in the society, and how the society at large must realise and come forward to acknowledge and contribute towards the development of the lesser privileged section of the society.
Speaking at the event, Meghna Ghai Puri, President – WWI said, “We feel extremely proud to host an event which aims at transforming the lives of so many students. It was indeed an honour for us to host an insightful panel discussion in association with Varija Life and consequently to have the members of FPH visit our campus. This I feel will go a long way with our students as they have been sensitised to the needs of these special individuals and will help them portray through the medium of film in a more powerful way.”
