Hyderabad: A short film capturing the struggles of Gutti Koya tribal children, created by Osmania University’s Educational Multimedia Research Centre (EMRC), has bagged the Best Short Film Award at the 16th International Short Film Festival in Jodhpur.
The documentary, ‘Reaching the Unreached’, directed by P. Raghupati, clinched the top prize in the Development category, along with a trophy, certificate and a cash award of ₹50,000. The film was also shortlisted for screening in the Human Rights category.
The film documents the journey of Gutti Koya families who fled conflict in Chhattisgarh to settle in Mulugu and Bhupalpally districts. It highlights the efforts of OU students Santosh Isram, Dudapaka Naresh, Shashindhar Reddy and Chanda Gunmanthrao, who established nine single-teacher schools under the Bheem Children’s Happiness Centres initiative to provide primary education to these tribal children.
Raghupati, the director of the award-winning film, expressed gratitude, stating, “This recognition amplifies our sense of social responsibility. It’ s a proud moment for OU, as this is the first time an EMRC film has received international acclaim at this scale.”
Osmania University Vice-Chancellor Prof. Kumar Molugaram lauded the team’s efforts, emphasising how the award brings international recognition to the challenges faced by children in remote tribal areas. He stated, “This achievement shows the importance of producing films that spotlight social issues and foster awareness about marginalised communities.”
In a symbolic gesture, the cash prize of ₹50,000 was handed over by the Vice-Chancellor to the team behind the Happiness Centres to support their work in educating tribal children. The initiative has helped bridge the gap by preparing students for enrolment in government ashram schools, thereby transforming lives in some of the remotest corners of Telangana.
The award ceremony, held from December 4 to 6 in Jodhpur, saw participation from films across countries like Bangladesh, Myanmar, and Sri Lanka. The OU EMRC documentary stood out for its unique theme and impactful storytelling. During a screening event at the OU Administrative Building, notable figures including Registrar Prof. Naresh Reddy, UGC Dean Prof. Lavanya and retired journalism faculty Prof Stevenson, among others, lauded the film. They commended the students’ efforts in running single-teacher schools in remote tribal areas, a testament to their commitment to societal responsibility.
