Dhanya Pilo, reporting from MumbaiName: Dhanya Pilo
Age: 27
Location: Bombay, India
What story about your country today would you like to tell the world?
India is a country of over 26 states and every time any one of us crosses a state border, its almost as if we are entering a totally new country as India has so many different cultures, languages, and sensibilities. Most indians, within the country who travel across state borders are very comfortable going to new places as they learn to adapt and are used to the fact that they are in a completely new environment. So when we travel abroad, most times we adapt easily as we are used being in places that we have no clue about.How did you become a reporter/film maker?
The medium of film attracted me because it allows many elements to play together to create new dimensions and expressions. Film making as a process allows me to practice living, looking at life, and allows me to share what I see with other people. I think film chose me.
What is the best thing about it?
It allows me to travel, meet people, put myself into extraordinary situations, understand natures’ temperament and sometimes it has a life of it’s own.
Where and how do you live?
I live in a quiet, yet bustling East Indian Village, tucked away in the heart of Mumbai, India. I live in a small studio apartment which also functions as my design studio. It’s close to the Bazar, so I get to observe all kinds of people who pass by everyday. i live alone, but never alone because i live in a interesting neighborhood next to the sea, my friends live nearby and the area is also the new teeming hub of India’s artistic and film community.
What did you dream of as a child?
As I child I dreamt that when I grew up, became adult - we would be living in a very different futuristic world. With food replacement tablets, economy class space travel, summer holidays on the moon, android friends, designer space suits etc.
What are your hopes for the future?
I hope the future will bring me more learning, humility and lots more friends.
Correspondent AlhamdouTo reach the village by road is very chaotic. First of all you need twelve hours to drive 500 km by car. Then you take another road wich crosses straigt through Niokolokoba National Park. It takes three to four hours. In this park there are a lot of lions, panthers and other wild animals. Our car broke down at night in the middle of the park. Very dangerous. We were really afraid.
Then we needed to take another way dans la boue to reach the village. And then another to get the place where they dig.
It was not easy to make the report because something always happens there. This time someone was dead. He had been sick. For days nobody goes to work, and then it was raining very hard. For me it was terrible. Somebody there told me I need to give some colanuts to the old magicians if I want to make my report. It was a sacrifice because the spirits needed a compensation. I did it, the men got back to work and finally we could start filming.
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