Journalism of Courage
After a trauma of over two months,deported Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) student Neetu Singh returned to the campus on Sunday night,to a grand welcome from friends and colleagues. Overwhelmed and emotional,Neetu was received at the gate by her friends,who had learnt of her imminent return.
When she entered the institute with a broad smile,we felt vindicated. Our efforts had paid off. Her re-entry into the institute has proved that truth is powerful. We now plan to celebrate with a small get-together, said Neetus batchmate Arunima Sharma.
I met her in the morning and I feel it is her as well as the students triumph, said Tathagata Singha,another student and Neetus friend.
Naveen Padmanabha,general secretary of the FTII students association,said: We are happy that she is free free from the marriage that troubled her and affected her creativity,from the legalities that kept her occupied and of course from the trauma that she went through. She will be continuing with the projects she left midway. I am sure she missed the atmosphere at the institute.
Gloria Koshy,matron of the girls hostel,said she was very happy that Neetu was back.
It also means that students no longer have to make countless rounds of police stations.
When the police picked her up,we were angry. But were happy to have directed our anger in the right direction. There were days when we would return without any progress in the case. But then,a happy conclusion of this story has boosted our morale, making us believe that if we fight together,we no longer remain a helpless part of the big system.
Kiran Moghe,state president of the All India Democratic Womens Association (AIDWA) who drove with Neetu from Mumbai to Pune on Sunday,said: This is a proof of the fact that truth prevails after collective effort. Neetu is relieved to be back. The reward for us is that she completes her diploma and pursues the dream she had come to FTII with.
