H&FW Dept screens Award winning films Kaasav and Nial to sensitise stakeholders

Bhubaneswar 07/11/2024:- To sensitize and enhance awareness about the need for love, care, and support for everyone with mental and other health issues, two national award-winning films Kaasav and Nial were screened by the Health and Family Welfare Department, Govt of Odisha in the auditorium of Krishi Bhawan here today.

Renowned psychiatrist and actor Padmashree Dr. Mohan Agashe while inaugurating the screening of films told the audience that he often narrates the human body as an instrument and the mind as the music created. The human body serves as a canvas through which the inner thoughts are expressed or painted. As like, a musician plays his instrument to his/her wish, so can our bodies nurture our mind to create the most beautiful symphony of life.

Cinema is one of the best forms of communication as it screens complex ideas, thoughts, and sentiments which may be difficult to express through words alone, explained the doctor-turned-actor and producer. Both films carried invaluable social messages. These messages need to reach a wider audience for the greater benefit of society, said Health and Family Welfare Department’s Commissioner-cum-Secretary Aswathy S. Kaasav (turtle) is one of the marvels of the eco-system that needs preservation from one and all. Protecting the endangered reptile coming ashore to lay eggs is the ongoing theme of the film.

Depression has become a major challenge in the modern society. The feeling of loneliness is ever-increasing among people of all age groups, as a result of an inability to keep pace with the fast-moving world. One can come up from the turmoil of loneliness or depression, by observing nature keenly, as it has been explained in the film by the life cycle of the turtle.
Nital, the other award-winning film, narrates the non-contagious and non-infectious skin disorder called Leucoderma in which skin loses its natural color due to the total loss of epidermal melanin.

People with this disease face a lot of prejudices in society due to the lack of proper understanding about this disease. Like Kaasav, this film also explains how love, care, and support from the family and community are important to give them a fulfilling life. Among others, Managing Director OSMCL Dr. Brunda D, Director of Public Health Dr. Nilakantha Mishra, Director of Family Welfare Dr. Sanjukta Sahoo, Special Secretary (P.H) Dr. Jeetendra Mohan Bebortha, Clinical Psychologist Ms. Anushree Thakar, Additional Director, PH Dr Prameela Baral, senior officers, doctors, nurses, ANM students, NGOs and developing partners were present at the auditorium to watch the films.

Meanwhile, penal discussions were also held by Padmashree Dr. Agashe, Prof. Dr. Nila Madhaba Ratha, Ex- Director, MHI, SCBMC&H, Cuttack, Dr. Uma Prasad Biswal, Psychiatrist, CH, BBSR, Dr. Jayanta Kumar Panda, Deptt. of Medicine, SCBMC&H and Dr. Rajendra Panigrahy, Sr. Consultant (Skin& VD) at the end of each film.