People of Salt

One of the basic need for survival after food , shelter & Clothing is Salt!

India stands third in Salt production in world. Although Salt is harvested in different states of India, it is a lesser known fact that Goa which is popularly referred as a “Beach paradise” is home to “Traditional Salt Industry” since ages. Goa is renowned for its seafood delicacies whose taste is enhanced by several local food ingredients. One such ingredient is goa’s own locally produced salt.

A few decades ago the Salt industry flourished under the portugese rule in Goa. The salt produced here was not only exported to British India but also to faroff countries and was major revenue earner under exports. Thousands of families sustained their livelihood through this occupation directly or Indirectly.

Salt was the unlikely weapon used by Mahatma Gandhi to galvanize India’s freedom struggle in 1930. Gandhiji led the Dandi March satyagraha and violated the Salt law imposed by british rule achieving a major victory in India’s freedom struggle . A similar satyagraha was observed in August 1997 by Goan In Goa in opposition to the ban on sale of crude salt led by NIDDCP nationwide. The iodine defiency disorders cases were negligible in number, still the ban was implemented in Goa . Its a well known fact that the coastal areas are less prone to iodine defiency disorders since they receive enough amounts of iodine required for human growth through sea food & sea salt. The Goan salt has always been iodine sufficient , but this fact was'nt proved scientifically during the ban. Now it has been proved by the goan scientists that goan salt is rich in stable iodine as well in essential minerals. The ban was introduced for eradication of iodine defieciency disorders which were highly prevalent in many parts of India. Due to the ban the local produced suffered morally and economically. The salt producers lost the market for their salt hence many of them had to quit this occupation.

Over the span of time tourism has emerged as a major sector in Goa. Even after many years some families have managed to survive themselves through salt production. Even though the the ban is not prevalent in goa currently, the local salt has been defamed as “iodine less” by the multinational salt giants to create their monopolies in the market. Majority of the people in goa consume the packaged iodised salt and are unaware of the qualities of local salt.

During our filming process we came to know that the local goan salt is not only iodine sufficient but also contains essential minerals like iron & magnesium. On the other hand the private salt corporation have to supplement their salt with iron , which they advertise as “iron fortified salt” & sell at higher prices. The iodine found in the local salt is much more stable than the iodine found in the iodised salt . The private iodised salt are added with aluminium compunds as anti-caking agents which are harmful to humans whereas the local salt contains no such compounds and are healthier.

As a filmmaker we want to bring this facts out to the world. So that more and more people are inspired to consume the local salt and the local salt producers are benefited.

The Corporate salt giants have the capital power, they have the advantage of being labelled as “iodized” & they have the power to reach the masses through TV and media whereas thw local salt producers have no such means. Our film “People of Salt” is an effort to raise the voices of underprivileged Goan salt producers.

The Impact

Impact is the main reason why the film “People of Salt “ was born. Though we hav’nt fixed a target Impact to be achieved , we are expecting the Impact at various levels. In Goa the number of internet users is quite high. Hence our film has a huge potential to be viewed on Video platforms like youtube , Vimeo & social media platforms like facebook if distributed properly . The film is entirely in Konkani language (Local Goan Language) with English subtiltes and hence makes a direct impression on the local viewers who are convinced better in local language. Thus it will create a positive impression about the local salt which been defamed as “iodine less” overs the years by multinational salt giants. This strategy will help create awareness about the importance of local salt and need to sustain this cottage Industry. The Viewers can thus be convinced to purchase local salt which would benefit the local salt producers.

A sizable part of the money raised will be utilized towards holding community screenings. The film will be screened using projectors in salt producing areas . This Step can motivate the salt producers & inspire more youth to engage in this occupation. The rumour of local salt being iodine less is still prevalent among the locals & also salt producers. Our film has an interview of Doctor who has proved that local is iodine sufficient & can hence illuminate the audience with the actual truth.

The filmmaker is seasoned in bringing change or impact in the community with the help of a video screenings among community during his last work.

What you need & what you get

Although many people are generously donating their time and efforts to the project, we still need funds to complete our production budget. Any amount is welcome -- every bit counts.

We do have some good online channels and local channels interested in this project , however they want a complete film and unfortunately its making is expensive. We are aiming to raise approximately 5000 USD for research purposes for this project.

Please help us meet our Goal! The main purpose that we need this money is a Good Editor, Sound design, Post Production, Archival footage , Copyrights, Four Community Screenings and Film Distribution.

We have absolutely no other funding source for this project.  In case we do not reach the intended USD 10000 target, we shall prioritize the expenditure depending on how much we have managed to raise.

Other ways you can help

Please help us spread the word.  Share our link (below) on your Facebook page and engage with the posts.  Tell a friend, or two!  We are making this film under seriously hard times. We need your help in getting the word out.

Getting sponsorships is very important. But only money cannot make good film!! We also need all your backing and goodwill to accomplish this!

You can help by spreading the word about this project and this fundraising campaign across all platforms- Facebook, Google+, Twitter, MySpace, LinkedIn, Blogs, E-Groups, Relevant Communities and emails. Help us create a buzz. Let other people who you think may be interested in helping this project know about this page.

ONE WAY OR ANOTHER, WE ARE A 100% COMMITTED TO MAKE THIS FILM HAPPEN!