Written and directed by Fr. Ernest Rosario, SDB, Director of Don Bosco Institute of Communication Arts (DBICA), the documentary focuses on the journey of a 100% visually impaired girl named Beno Zephine and her historic quest to enter into the premier administrative services of the Republic of India. She has secured a place in history as the first 100% visually challenged Indian Foreign Services (IFS) officer. The three-fold purpose of this documentary according to the director is “to inspire today's youth to work hard towards realizing their dreams, to record an important part of the history of inclusive India and finally to celebrate the daughter of this soil”.
“Thank you ‘Don Bosco Institute of Communication Arts’ (DBICA) for this wonderful and professional effort in documenting this inspirational story of passion, perseverance and success,” said Dr. Radhakrishnan, the Chief Guest, praising the makers of the documentary. While pointing out the outstanding contributions by educational institutions, he highlighted the need for providing access to education to the forgotten sections of the society such as the differently abled, going beyond a mere lip service.
He lauded her parents, her husband, the first school and the first college that readily accepted her into their campus and created an ambience of inclusivity for her dreams to take shape. He highlighted the critical and the delicate nature of duties of an Indian Foreign Service officer (IFS) and went on to say that Beno is sure to earn laurels for the State of Tamil Nadu and India on the International arena as she climbs the ladder of Indian diplomacy. Finally, he urged the young audience to “learn from Beno” on how to work hard and succeed in life.
“I might not have vision, but I had a vision to become a civil servant,” said Beno in her address to an eager crowd hanging on her lips. She urged the youth to pursue their dreams without giving excuses while stressing the need for powerful communication skills. She further highlighted the statistical data to substantiate the growth of India in various spheres to make a point that the young audience present there and those at large “were part of the new India growth story”. The address was followed by a fruitful interaction with the audience.
The documentary was screened in the presence of Dr. J. Radhakrishnan, IAS, Commissioner of the Greater Chennai Corporation, M. Gunasekaran, Editor-in-Chief, Sun News, and B. Lenin, a popular filmmaker, editor and writer. Other special invitees include Rev. Sr. (Dr.) Stella Mary, FMM, Principal, Stella Maris College and Rev. Sr. Perphin, ICM, Principal, Little Flower Convent School for the Blind, Chennai both institutions which played a pivotal role in grooming and mentoring her in her early days. The presence of the subject of the documentary and the star of the day N. L. Beno Zephine, IFS, First Secretary (Information, Political & Policy Planning), High Commission of India, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, made the day a very memorable one. The participants consisted of over 150, mostly young people who were special invitees, the Salesians and media students from neighboring colleges.
The release of an Anthem of Hope titled “Nambikkai” by “Musiland”, the music label of DBICA, served as a meaningful culmination to the eventful day. The aim of the anthem was to inspire and uplift those losing hope, those discouraged and trying to give-up on their dreams and aspirations. The curtains fell as the following lyrics echoed, “face the world, fight your fears, stare right into the demon’s eyes”.
Fr Bastin Nellissery, INK
Source: Don Bosco South Asia
