Fistful of Dreams is an ongoing project that begins by following the life of a five-year-old dark-skinned girl named Palguni, from the moment she is adopted by her new family. The five-year-old's new family comprises of a single mother and another adopted daughter. Palguni's story is about being born as a girl in Indian society where exists strong prejudices based on gender and race. It is about being loved as much as it is about being unwanted. It is about hope as much as it is about loss. It is about her right to life and its simple aspirations.
India has a long history of violence against the girl child, female infanticide and foeticide. The 2011 Indian population census findings indicate that more and more girls are being killed in India even before they are born. The strong preference for male child still continues. Also, India is a nation that worships white skin, a hangover of its colonial past, perhaps. In such a context, life is an obstacle course for little girls like Palguni.
Fistful of Dreams aims to foreground the larger issues of gender and racial discrimination in India through Palguni's story. It hopes to build awareness and create a strong wave of public opinion to safeguard the rights of girls in India.


nishantslens says
Hi Marco,
Thanks for your feedback and reaction on this work. I really appreciate it. You have understood my work and philosophy.
I have a multimedia of this story on my website. Do have a look at it.
Also, feel free to share the link to this work with people who might be interested in the subject matter.
Hope to see you when in India. Do keep me updated.
Regards,
Nishant Ratnakar
www.nishantratnakar.com
www.facebook.com/embedded.eyes
posted at 12:00am Jul 28 PST
marcomega says
Hi Nishant,
I like the project. Simple stories always work quite well, human relationships get the attention from the public.
I also like your choise to shoot in black and white.
I can see the dedication you had with the family and how deeply you went into the personal story.
Good work.
PS. I will be in India in November, we can catch up maybe.
Best regards.
Marco Mega
info@marcomega.com
www.marcomega.com
posted at 07:22am Jul 27 PST