Shanti Interview - Part 2

Cinematographer: Zulfiya Hamzaki

Duration: 00:27:49; Aspect Ratio: 1.778:1; Hue: 42.402; Saturation: 0.133; Lightness: 0.507; Volume: 0.150; Cuts per Minute: 0.036

Shanti is one of Khabar Lahariya's oldest members. Hailing from the kol community, her presence in Khabar Lahariya has been unique, with her strength as a distributor. She joined the newspaper in 2002 when it was formed. Through the years, she has created an identity for herself as a journalist and as someone people can count on. She had earlier featured in the film Taaza Khabar (dir. Bishakha Datta) - a much younger Shanti, sitting in her dimly lit home. In this interview shot in October 2012, Shanti sits in front of her new home on a land that she bought. She talks about her experiences from her past, her steady growth as a journalist, her aspirations to win the elections and how she's proud of the fact that she has earned the respect of people wherever she goes.

elections, politics, deal, issues, write, news, women, difficulties, poor, problems, future, defeat, experience
Shanti talks about her standing in elections and how she got interested in politics. By constantly dealing with issues and writing news, she understands the difficulties of women, of the poor and their problems. So she thought that if she got elected, then she could help make their future better. Although she has stood in the last elections and did not win, she says she will not accept defeat and will try again. Shanti shares a few experiences where people tried to bribe her so that they can win the elections, but she refused to be involved in any such thing. She repeats that whatever it is, she has not accepted defeat.

identity, newspaper, strong, people, Khabar Lahariya, name, work, recognition
Shanti's identity with the newspaper is so strong that many times as soon as people see her, they say "Shanti, Khabar Lahariya", and some other times, they don't even call her name, but simply call her "Khabar Lahariya". Wherever she goes, there are people who know her as someone who has been working with the newspaper for so long. Everyone easily recognizes the tall Shanti.

husband, abuse, fight, night, changes, tachnology, mobile phones, education, respect, journalist, clothes, life
Recounting her past, Shanti talks about how her husband used to be abusive and they would have fights every night and he did not let her go out. Today, her life has come a long way and many changes have occured for the better. She is now more familiar with technology, uses a mobile phone, buys herself new clothes and can afford to give her children an education. The respect she has gained because of her identity as a journalist after joining Khabar Lahariya has given Shanti a new life.

land, buy, house, suggest, 2006, dalit, own, water
Shanti talks about how she bought land in her own name so that she can have her own house. One of her son's friends suggested that she buy her own land, especially since at that time, in 2006, land rates were low. She bought this land from a dalit for around ten thousand rupees. She was very keen to make this house her own. She herself comes early in the morning to fill water. When people see her doing this, they tell her she's a journalist and that she could get it done by someone, but Shanti would rather do it herself since it's her own land and house.

According to Shanti, what makes Khabar Lahariya unique is the language - Bundeli. Before she couldn't write it well, but now she has improved. In the next five years, Shanti wishes to see Khabar Lahariya as a daily. The way this can be done is by dividing the reporters and distributors. For herself, she wishes to have her own vehicle which she can use to travel for work.
unique, language, Bundeli, improve, daily, reporters, distributors, wish, vehicle, travel, work

Manikpur, Bundelkhand, Uttar Pradesh
Recounting her earlier days and how things have changed for her today, Shanti shares how she used to be unemployed and would sit at home all day, depend on the money that her husband gave, eat once a day. She never had any dreams for her future until she got the opportunity to become a journalist. Once she started to stand on her own feet, she started to think of her future and also dreamt of getting her own house. With her own earnings and determination to keep moving forward, she remains happy.
unemployed, past, money, dreams, future, opportunity, forward, earning, happy

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