[Reader-list] fwd: my india experience

[Iram Ghufran]

Subject:
Reader List posting request - Etan Doronne
From:
Etan Doronne <my.india.experience at gmail.com>


Dear reader List,

You were recommended to me by Chandni Parekh.

I attach an introductory letter of the documentary project I am set to 
begin January 18th 2011

Support of volunteers and resources are sought.

Would it be relevant to post this letter on your list to inform your 
reader community ?


Dhanyawaad,

Etan

-------

Hello and Namaskar,
On February 2008 I completed a one-year backpacking through remote rural 
villages
and towns across India.
Returning to India wish to create a vivid, impressive and inspiring film 
for the
Indian, American and the global community.
Your support is welcome and essential.
The Program:
Upon my return to the USA back in 2008, I launched "My India -- Where every
village is Home" - a public program.
For the past two years I have been sharing slide show presentations and 
talks with
audiences all over California and Arizona. The venues include 
universities, public
libraries, bookshops, inns, private events and even Indian restaurants 
and coffee
shops. Past events' details and photos are posted on the event calendar
My India program was featured on India Post, as well as many other 
magazines,
publications in the US and India and on TV. Most are available for view on
www.myindiaexperience.com
I do not charge admission or speaker fees, in the exercise of 
unconditional kindness
I experienced at Indian villages.
The Aim:
The program is designed to inspire Americans to explore the traditional 
rural Indian
practices, at a time when we struggle to find social and environmentally 
sustainable
means of living. On the other hand, to backup Indian villagers in 
maintaining and
balancing their traditional life in the face of increasing 'westernization'
The Next Step:
Set to depart for India on January 18th 2011, I continue the experience 
in rural and
tribal villages.
With the aid of a mobile projector, courtesy of Mr. Atul Thakkar who 
also donated
the airfare, the movies shot and edited on-site at a village or town 
would be
screened for the locals to view.
Also, screening documentary/educational clips about the environmental and
personal hazards, such as: disposable plastic tableware, genetically 
modified plant
breeds, synthetic chemical pesticides, allopathic medicine, western 
fast-food.
Later, upon returning to the USA, we will edit these into a full 
featured movie. The
movie will be freely available online for personal view at no cost.
Benefits:
To Indian Villagers:
Taking pride in their own traditional ways of living, by:
1. Taking part in documenting their everyday life for western interest.
2. Watching a documentary film and viewing themselves on the big screen.
3. Being aware and cautious about adopting doubtful modern practices.
To Americans and the international community:
1. Introducing an opportunity to experience India's millennia-old 
sustainable
culture, that is still in place and practiced today.
2. Sharing the "How To" of traveling a personal, unplanned, unfolding-as-
you-go route through India. A journey that fosters trust in unknown
environments and people through experience, observation, insight and
realization. An experience that dissolves preconceived patterns and is much
likely to become a turning point in life.
To both Americans and local villagers:
. True Eco--Tourism. Encouraging a more balanced spread of foreign tourism
money among India's 600,000 villages and towns. Providing locals with an
opportunity to maintain traditional life, for generations of Indian and
westerners to come.
. Have a personal interaction and introduction of east to west and vice 
versa. A
more relaxed way to understand each others culture then the corporate or
commercially based option.
(90% of the 5 million foreign tourists visiting India each year stay 
within 10 of
the 30 states that compose India. Even then it is within a few big 
cities and
commercialized tourist destinations. Data by India's ministry of 
tourism, here)
Your help:
To maintain a reliable documentary project, with no limitations, 
restrictions and free
of commercial or political interests, I seek contributions from private 
donors,
avoiding corporate sponsorships or government funding.
The following new/used gear or the equivalent $3800 for purchasing is 
required:
. Video and photo equipment:
1. Video camera - Camcorder
2. External microphone
3. Adobe Premiere video editing application
4. Digital pocket camera
5. 3 Simple, low-cost cameras -- for villagers to shoot their points of 
view
. Other:
1. Large ~80 Liter backpack
2. Vaccinations
. Running costs:
1. Web hosting (For My India website)
2. US mail box (Physical/mailing address)
. Optional (The below totals appx. $7 per day):
1. Land transportation fare (Train, bus, autorikshaw)
2. Accommodations (Basic, local guesthouse)
3. Meals (Local restaurant, 'Dhaba')
New/used gear, software or service donations are welcome.
Any donation is greatly appreciated, $1 goes a long way in rural India, 
it is the fare of
a 4 hour local bus ride or the price of two meals. Donations can be made 
by credit or
debit cards secured by Paypal on the website's Donate page. A check can 
be sent to
the address below. For details about direct deposit to the bank account, 
please
contact me.
Other ways to help, please:
1. Share this letter with others (email, facebook, twitter etc.)
2. Suggest sources of potential support
3. Assist in contacting a magazine/newspaper to write for (US/India)
4. Recommend a volunteer in India who may help as cameraman
Thank you,
Etan Doronne.
my.india.experience at gmail.com
818-921-7267
4570 Van Nuys Blvd. Suite 364
Sherman Oaks, CA. 91403

------------



Etan Doronne
Creator of lecture series
My India - Where every village is home
818-921-7267
4570 Van Nuys Blvd. Suite 364
Sherman Oaks, CA. 91403
www.myindiaexperience.com <http://www.myindiaexperience.com>