Make Workshops "Free of Costs".

Make Workshops "Free of Costs".

Started
5 August 2013
Petition to
Ms. Fiona Rogers (Cultural & Education Manager, Magnum Photos (London)) and 7 others
Petition Closed
This petition had 106 supporters

Why this petition matters

Started by Amit Bhargava

It is ridiculous for the Delhi Photo Festival, which claims that it is a non-commercial venture and entry is free to ensure popular & wide-reaching participation, to hold workshops that are out of reach of the Aam Aadmi, the common man, inspite of having sponsors such as Canon, Tata, Fuji & APEX (Jindal). Ironically, the theme of the Festival is "Grace".

For example, the 4-day Magnum Workshop at a Fee of UK £ 600 (about US$ 917, INR 56,000), plus Lodging expenses of UK £ 68 (about US$ 104, INR 6,350), with Additional Travel Expenses, can be attended only by “the affluent” and not necessarily by “the deserving”. What is even harder to understand is the fact that not a single “Free Seat” is being offered on merit to those who “deserve”, but cannot afford such ridiculously high FEES.

In 2010, the World Bank reported that 32.7% of the total Indian people fall below the international poverty line of US$ 1.25 per day (PPP), 68.7% on less than US$ 2, 81.1% on less than US$ 2.5, 93.7% on less than US$ 4, and 96.3% live on less than US$ 5 per day.

Only to pay the FEES & lodging for the workshops at Delhi Photo Festival, such as the one stated above, 32.7% of Indians will have to go without food, water, shelter or clothing, and at the same time work to earn for a minimum of about 817 days, 68.7% for about 511 days, 81.1% for about 409 days, 93.7% for about 255 days, and 96.3% for about 205 days. Survivors may be able to pay the fees for the workshop, but still not be able to purchase the equipment.

Whereas some our Netas (Politicians) foolishly state that for INR 5, one can get a full meal in Delhi, and for INR 12 in Mumbai, it is shocking that the organizers of the Delhi Photo Festival think on similar lines.

Even the workshops held by relatively lesser known young photographers (no offense meant) from the subcontinent, during the Delhi Photo Festival, are chargeable and expensive for many.

By providing an opportunity only to the “affluent,” defeats the objective of learning, sharing, showing new work, giving voice to young collectives, interaction between photo practitioners and enthusiasts as well as popularizing the art of photography that are some of the aims of the Delhi Photo Festival as claimed by the organizers.

With India Habitat Centre (a club of affluent Indians) as an organizer, Canon (the World Leader in Photography equipment) as primary sponsor, and (i) TATA (India’s largest Industrial House), (ii) Fuji Film, (iii) APEX (owned by the Jindal Group) as associate sponsors, it should not be very difficult to not only hold the workshops "Free of Costs," but also provide equipment and support for the deserving, and in need.

Petition Closed

This petition had 106 supporters

Share this petition

Share this petition in person or use the QR code for your own material.Download QR Code

Decision Makers

  • Ms. Fiona RogersCultural & Education Manager, Magnum Photos (London)
  • Mr. Dinesh KhannaCreative Director, Delhi Photo Festival 2013, & Managing Trustee, Nazar Foundation
  • Mr. Prashant PanjiarCreative Director, Delhi Photo Festival 2013, & Managing Trustee, Nazar Foundation
  • Ms. Alka PandeCreative Director, Delhi Photo Festival 2013, & Consultant, India Habitat Centre
  • Mr. R M S LiberhanCreative Director, Delhi Photo Festival 2013, & Director, India Habitat Centre