Sr. Valsa John who used to work for the rights of land, water and forests of Santhal Adivasis in Jhaarkhand, was murdered by the mining mafia on November 15, 2011. Sr. Valsa was the third leader who was killed during the same struggle. Meghnath and Biju made a documentary film on her and screened the film to her relatives in Ernakulam three days back. I also happened to be there. I was deeply moved to hear the remark of the closest relatives of Sr. Valsa, that they came to know who Sr. Valsa was through this documentary film. Friends of Sarat Chandran also experienced similar moments from the closest relatives of Sarat, who began to understand who he was after his death. I am sure there are a number of living or dead activists in this country, who are unknown to their closest relatives even today, for having consciously chosen to lead a life different from others. But does it really require death to facilitate human understanding? In a way, it is nobody's fault. Perhaps such situations only reflect the absurdity of speaking Spanish to a Japanese. Let us only hope that the different paths will become accepted paths in future, so that another generation can pursue a `new different path'. The documentary film `Taking Side' by Meghnath and Biju Toppo will be screened at the Kerala International Short and Documentary Film Festival on June 30, 2015. Those who would prefer to explore the uniqueness of the dead who left behind some foot prints, may listen to this song:
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