Rakshak Foundation is an award winning voluntary organization, based in Kolkata, West Bengal, India. The Foundation is supported by Rakshak Subhidha Pvt. Limited, spear-headed by Jute Revivalist, Chaitali Das. The foundation has been involved in humanitarian and charitable activities for over 25 years, with major focus on Women Empowerment, Skill and Livelihood Development, Social Inclusion and Eco-conservation. Since 2016, the foundation has adopted a focused vision through its flagship project 'Jute Story Beyond Bars'.
A signatory member of United Nations Global Compact, Network India and Women's Empowerment Principles, founded by UNGC and UN Women, the foundation undertakes various humanitarian and charitable activities, aligned with the UNSGDs, impacting over touching 5 lakh lives with an outreach of more 20 million across the globe.
Following the pandemic and the global focus realigned on climate action, the foundation created the Guinness World Record for the Largest Jute Bag in the World to send a larger-than-life meassage of a 'Greener, Healthier and Inclusive World' to the global audience.
To follow up the record-breaking feat, Rakshak Foundation has flagged off its global campaign, 'Jute for Climate Action' on 15th August, 2021.
As a part of this campaign, we have launched a documentary short, 'Jute Story Beyond Bars', produced and directed by Managing Trustee, Chaitali Das. It is a reflection of the work done in the correctional homes and the revival of Jute, contributing to climate action and social inclusion.
The film is a multiple award-winner at various international and national film festivals:
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AWARD WINNER at the World Film Carnival, Singapore in the categories, Outstanding Documentary Film | Outstanding Debut Filmmaker Outstanding Film on Women
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AWARD WINNER at the Druk International Film Festival in the categories, Outstanding Achievement Award- Debut Filmmaker Outstanding Achievement Award- Documentary Film
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AWARD WINNER at the Royal Society of Television and Motion Picture Award, 2021
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AWARD WINNER at the Black Swan International Film Festival, 2021
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FINALIST at the Toronto Independent Film Festival, August 2021
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SEMI FINALIST at the Berlin Shorts Award, August 2021
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OFFICIAL SELECTION at the London Indie Short Festival, 2021