The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has announced the winners of its tenth prestigious annual competition for short films on human rights in 2024.

It has chosen ‘Doodh Ganga- Valley’s Dying Lifeline’ for the first prize of Rs. 2 lakh.

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The documentary film by Er. Abdul Rashid Bhat from Jammu & Kashmir raises concerns on how the free flow of various waste into the pristine water of the Doodh Ganga river has polluted it and the need for its restoration for the overall good of the people in the valley. The film is in English, Hindi and Urdu with subtitles in English.

‘Fight for Rights’ by Kadarappa Raju from Andhra Pradesh has been selected for the second prize of Rs. 1.5 lakh. The film raises the issue of child marriage and education. It is in Telugu with English subtitles.

‘GOD’ by R. Ravichandran from Tamil Nadu has been selected for the third prize of Rs. 1 lakh. The silent film through an old protagonist raises the value of potable water.

The Commission has also decided to give a cash award of Rs.50,000/- each to the four short films selected for the ‘Certificate of Special Mention’. These are:

–‘Aksharabhyasam’ by Haneesh Undramatla from Telangana. The silent film raises the importance of child education;

–‘Vilayilla Pattathari (An inexpensive graduate)’ by Shri R. Selvam from Tamil Nadu. It is in Tamil with subtitles in English. The film highlights the concerns and rights of older persons;

–‘Life of Seetha’ by Shri Madaka Venkata Satyanarayana from Andhra Pradesh. It is in Telugu with subtitles in English. The film highlights the rights violation of children due to religious practices and the need for reformation; and

–‘Be a Human’ by Shri Lotla Naveen from Andhra Pradesh. The film in Hindi with subtitles in English highlights the issues surrounding domestic violence, assault on women, girl-child abandonment and societal intervention.

The aim of the NHRC Short Film Award Scheme since 2015 has been to encourage and acknowledge cinematic and creative efforts of the citizens towards the promotion and protection of human rights.

For the tenth edition of this competition in 2024, after scrutiny of a total of a record 303 short films, received within the stipulated time, in different Indian languages from various parts of the country, 243 entries were in the fray for the awards. The awards presentation ceremony will be organized later.