Zulekha Sayyed is a film editor, CC trainer, and one of the longest standing members of Video Volunteers from the slums of Mumbai. We recognise Zulekha before we can see her by her high pitched and gratuitous laugh. But back in 2006, when she first joined Video Volunteers at the age of 15, she wasn’t the boisterous person she is…

Zulekha

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'People spit and dogs urinate in these water lines, and we have no option but to fill water from these lines. This water is not even suitable for animals and yet we are forced to drink this water'.
For nearly 15 years, this was the condition of residents of the Rahul Nagar slum in Mumbai. CC Zulekha Sayyed made a video on the issue and sent it to the Ward Councillor. In words of one the residents, "the ward councillor was able to understand and empathize with our problems because of the video. We receive better water now."

Taps have now been installed in Rahul Nagar slum. Ward Councillor Bharti Bawdane tells Zulekha, "You had made a video and sent to me. I was able to study the problem better. After winning the elections I submitted a proposal for installation of 6 new water lines. Rahul nagar and Raigad were to receive two separate lines. This would decrease the problems women faced while filling water from water ducts. It took nearly one year post the submission of the proposal to set up new water connections. We are trying to extend these water lines to higher areas like Sanjay Gandhi nagar in future. I am very thankful to IndiaUnheard who have really helped me work towards providing safe water to the people of these societies."

Zulekha and the residents of Rahul Nagar extend a warm thank you to Councillor Bharti Bawdane who paced up work that would have usually taken years to complete. This video is an excellent example of how community media not only helps the people, but also the government by bridging the gap between both.

Zulekha Sayyed reports from Mumbai, Maharashtra for IndiaUnheard.

This video was made by a Video Volunteers Community Correspondent. Take action for a more just global media by sharing their videos and joining in their call for change.