A Dozen Stories (Ek Dozon Goppo)

Low voter turn out is one of the recurring maladies affecting the electoral health in Kolkata North Electoral District. In the last parliamentary elections (2014), Kolkata North with 66.65 percent had the lowest voter turn out in the state. Among all the constituencies in the State it was the lowest, although in the all India perspective, it was even higher than the national average. Chowranghee Assembly Segment recorded lowest voter turn out at 57.73%.

During the Assembly General Elections 2016 in the State, voting percentage dipped further in the district and the seven assembly constituencies together reported 64.27 percent. Jorasanko Assembly Constituency recorded the lowest VTR at 53.62%.

It is in this perspective, Team Kolkata North decided to develop several short campaign films to reach out to the voters of the Parliamentary Constituency with a clarion call to come out for voting on 19 May 2019 when elections are scheduled to be held in the Constituency. 

Since the idea is to reach out to different segments of voters of the Constituency, decision was taken to develop a dozen stories. When you think of a dozen stories, can you forget Satyajit Ray with his famous collection, "Ek Dozon Goppo"? The idea stuck immediately and the series of films is given the name from Ray's story collection. Now, when we are considering production of Ek Dozon Goppo, we thought of capturing the essence of Kolkata Uttar. As a Parliamentary Constituency, Kolkata Uttar is spread over the entire North Kolkata, a large chunk of Central Kolkata and considerable part of East Kolkata. There are several landmarks in this part of the city, which the people of the area feel proud of. Apart from the landmarks and monuments, there are several attractions of the city, which, again, the Kolkata people take pride in. Kolkata Uttar has a strong legacy, a rich tradition and several joints, be it food joint or book joint that the people cherish. So the Team decided to use the tradition, the landmark, the special flavours of Kolkata North to urge upon the electors of the constituency to come out for voting during the ensuing elections. 

In the series we have famous College Street with its book stalls, especially the old book stalls, Jorasanko Thakurbari, Dakers' Lane with its mouth watering dishes, Tram car, Hand pulled Rickshaws, North Kolkata Motor Garages and several other interesting stories. 

On 1 April 2019, we are releasing Ek Dozon Goppo in presence of the media. So instead of sharing further details, let us wait for the All Fools' Day tomorrow.