Ath on the floor of keetnashak

Pankaj Narayan and Apoorva Bajaj; Shooting For Keetnashak

Every single breath, every sip of water and every bite of food, is killing you inside! Your daily rice can make you paralyzed!  Your favorite fruit is more likely to give you cancer!  Scary as is sounds, it’s the tragic reality.  Pesticides and fertilizers used in cultivation of the crops are now cultivating diseases.

While shooting for the new documentary film “Keetnashak” in the farms of Hariyana, Ath Production team discovered the ugly truth about all farming practices in India. After knowing the deadly effects of pesticides and chemical fertilizers the whole team went alarmed. “When we set out to make this documentary, we were sure to find some bitter facts, but this is ugly or rather ugliest truth ever known”, said writer-director Pankaj Narayan.

Pesticides enter our bodies through dust and vapor, by consuming food and water and by direct contact of pesticides with skin. When they are sprayed onto food, especially fruits and vegetables, they secrete into soils and groundwater which can end up in drinking water. Also, pesticide spray can drift and pollute the air. Sure it feels like we are poisoning ourselves. And whatever we do, this killer will catch up to us.

“The whole situation seems hopeless. Farmers are bound to use pesticides, no matter what. And we are compelled to eat the poisonous food. I wish situation could change a little, I wish” , said producer Apoorva Bajaj.

Producer Apoorva Bajaj; In the fields of Hisar (Hariyana)

 Well, situation may seem hopeless, but there is always a silver line above the clouds. A certain group of farmers in the country are determined to turn the tables around. They have started using the natural fertilizers and natural pest controllers in their farms.  Farmers of ‘Hisar’, Hariyana are well aware of the dangers of using pesticides and chemicals and have turned towards natural ways. 

“Organic food is the only way to have a healthy life. Now farmers can give us pesticide free organic food and we should get on with it without delay. Doctor’s den or healthy life, we have to decide” ,Said Trilok Sharma, Social worker.   

During the whole research process Ath team also discovered about “Jaivik Chaubutra”, a platform for farmers which provides assistance in creating natural fertilizes and pest controllers from easily available recourses. “Jaivik chaubutra is very effective and beneficial for one and all. Farmers can save money, and we can save our livies”, said Ketan Ramavat, actor.

Once every farmer starts natural practices, India will be the healthiest place on earth. Let’s hope this beautiful vision turn to be true someday.