In Ramgarh, one of India's oldest coal towns, over 50% of the mines have been abandoned without proper closure measures. Over the years, this has led to severe unemployment and ecological degradation. However, local community member Shashi Kumar has found an innovative way to repurpose these open-pit coal mines—by breeding fish in the huge open pits.

His initiative has not only provided a sustainable source of income for himself but has also created jobs for over 60 families in his village. In a true transition beyond coal, Shashi is reversing the environmental damage while pioneering a scalable model for a large community historically reliant on coal mining.

In the nearby town of Dhanbad, a large number of women work in precarious coal-related jobs without a guaranteed minimum wage or labour rights. Sushma Devi, a grassroots feminist, is committed to improving their lives by creating dignified livelihood opportunities. Her work addresses the urgent need for re-skilling coal workers—an important precursor to a just and sustainable energy transition in India. However, she faces significant bureaucratic hurdles, causing scepticism among the women she seeks to support.

In another town in Jharkhand’s coal region, Vinod—a strong advocate for digital literacy in rural India—teaches basic computer skills to the children of coal gatherers. Among his students is 17-year-old Nindiya, who resents the coal work her family depends on but feels trapped by poverty.

While Vinod works to equip young people like Nindiya with new opportunities, she is often forced to accompany her parents to work, causing her to miss classes. Torn between her dreams and the harsh economic realities of her family’s livelihood, she struggles to break free from the cycle of dependency on coal.

As For Us is a commentary on the complex reality of India’s coal production and consumption. India’s coal-rich regions, shaped by displacement and poverty, suffer from a resource curse, leaving poor communities with no means of livelihood beyond coal work.
By highlighting the activism of members of this community and the tangible changes they are driving, the film ensures that their stories are seen, heard, and recognised by policymakers, academics, and the global community.

While the film acknowledges the challenges, its core focus is on the solutions that are within reach for the people most affected. As For Us is an optimistic portrayal of a community’s ability to drive change, making a complex issue more relatable to local audiences and offering a sense of hope.

Director(s): Pawanjot Kaur
2023-24 | 20 minutes
India
Language(s): Hindi
Subtitles: English

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