American Center screens The Revolutionary Optimists

Shot over a period of three and a half years, the internationally acclaimed documentary film, traces the inspiring journeys of four disadvantaged children from Kolkata’s Rishi Aurobindo Colony. 

These young crusaders battled poverty to transform their communities and inspired the world. 

The documentary also highlights the work of the non-profit organization Prayasam’s founding member, Amlan Ganguly, and his model 'Child Area Health Minders' which empowers the children to become agents of change working on challenges that plague their neighborhoods like preventive health, basic hygiene, and environmental cleanliness.

Two of the film’s protagonists Sikha Patra and Salim Sheikh, were present to share their stories at the American Center screening. 

Speaking to the press, Salim said, “The entire Prayasam family should be called The Revolutionary Optimists.  Because we all believe that you must not become a product of your environment but make the environment your product.  And we are trying to do that.”

“What could be more amazing than the fact that in the world where people mostly focus on what can’t be done as per as our society is concerned, I am sitting with those who have focused on what can be done and also have worked on it,” said the deputy director of the American Center, Rachel Sunden.
                                                                        
“It’s the power of the concept!  Engaging children in the developmental process is vital to achieve true success.  It’s not about an individual child, but children as a whole who should be involved in this process,” said Piyali Mazumdar, Director of Prayasam.

Rachel Sunden said, “It is true honor to meet Sikha and Salim and hear the story of the work they and their friends have done to change their world.  It is wonderful to meet these amazing changemakers who go ahead and tackle issues head on, and show that people of all levels, youth included, have the power to institute change in their society.”

Nicole Newnham and Maren Granger-Monsen, award winning filmmakers based at Stanford University, began working on this film five years ago to propel change in communities around the world. 

The film, which premiered in New York, has made a significant stir and has been screened by UNICEF, USAID, Stanford University, and even at the inaugural ceremony of The Global Vaccine Summit, hosted by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. 

Shorts from the film were screened at TEDxChange events in New York and Berlin, where Sikha Patra and Salim Sheikh, participated as speakers on 'Positive Disruption'.

(Reporting by Prashanti Banerjee, Image by Avishek Mitra)