Chennai: Street children turn shutterbugs for a cause

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The photo exhibition titled Mele Vaanam Keelae Bhoomi is a part of World Vision India's Chennai Bal Jyoti Project.

Chennai: ‘I have a dream!’ the quote was no more pertained only to Martin Luther King. The children who live in streets too have their own dreams, be it eliminating issues such as alcohol consumtion or to eradicate child sexual abuse. Around 20 children, who live in streets, expressed their opinions through photographs clicked by them which were exhibited at the Art House in Alwarpet. The photo exhibition titled ‘Mele Vaanam Keelae Bhoomi’ (Sky above and the earth beneath) is a part of World Vision India’s ‘Chennai Bal Jyoti Project’ and is inaugurated by actor-director R Parthiban.

The children were trained by well-known photographer R R Srinivasan, a media activist and director, OHO Productions, Chennai. “Around 60 selected photographs, clicked by the street children, depicting their everyday life is put on display,” said one of the volunteers of World Vision.

Started in July 2007, Chennai Bal Jyoti Project works for the upliftment of children living in the streets of Chennai. Currently the project works in seven pavement dwelling communities such as Ayanavaram, Parrys, Fort, Egmore, Chintadripet, Triplicane and Royapettah. About 20 children were selected for the project and given a three-day training in photography. “Every child has a skill. We have to find it out and shape the child. It doesn’t matter where the child is brought up. Not having a proper education is not a crime, but having a low ambition is” said Srinivasan.

K Roja, a student of std IX, who resides in the stretches of Cooum, had taken a shocking photograph of a girl’s hand with full of mosquito bites. “These types of scenes are a normal one in our locality” she said. While her parents are daily wagers, she aims to become a police officer. And the reason — “My dad always keeps on saying that I should arrest the persons who are consuming ganja, alcohol and playing mankatha” she said with a smile.

Inaugurating the exhibition, actor R Parthiban said, “We should select our own place to achieve and to be unique. No matter where we are standing now. We must keep on moving every moment towards our aim. Generally children have more IQ than grown-ups. While looking at these photographs it has been proved again.” The exhibition will be open till September 24 from 10 am to 7 pm.