TURNING MSRLM STAFF INTO STORYTELLERS: EMPOWERING RURAL NARRATIVES THROUGH MOBILE LENSES

Imphal: In a transformative initiative to amplify the impact of rural development, the Manipur State Rural Livelihood Mission (MSRLM) recently empowered its frontline staff not just with data, but with a powerful new voice—the art of visual storytelling. A unique 2-day workshop, "Empowering Rural Voices," was conducted in partnership with the Win Foundation, equipping 51 field and block-level staff with foundational skills in mobile photography and videography over 4 days.

Image: Workshop participants absorbing the visual grammars of visual language during the workshop

Image: RK Robindro Singh explaining the Rule of Third of Composition during the workshop.

Image: MSRLM Official speaking at inauguration of the Workshop

Moving beyond traditional report writing, the workshop aimed to bridge the gap between field reality and compelling documentation. Recognizing that staff primarily use smartphones, the curriculum was meticulously designed to be hands-on and jargon-free, demystifying the world of visual language for effective storytelling.

"The efficiency of any organization can be enhanced by integrating media tools into its program," stated Sunzu Bachaspatimayum, the Manging Trustee of Win Foundation, a Manipur-based trust dedicated to empowering communities through media and advocacy. The workshop was led by a team of national award-winning filmmakers and photographers, including Sunzu Bachaspatimayum, RK Robindro, Saikhom Ratan, and Khangembam James, who provided expert guidance.

The sessions were a blend of classroom theory and immediate practical application. Staff learned the fundamentals of composition, lighting, and stable shooting, before immediately heading out for field exercises. They profiled local livelihood activities—from ' street vendors, construction workers, tea stalls, car wash to vibrant marketplaces—transforming everyday scenes into powerful narratives of enterprise and success.

The true success of the workshop was reflected in the enthusiastic feedback from participants.

"The workshop was an eye-opener," shared one participant from Tengnoupal. "I never knew my phone could explain stories so beautifully."

Image: A beautifully composed photograph by a participant of the workshop during field exercise

Image: A photograph created during the workshop by a participant

Image: A happy Participant while developing a story from an idea

Another staff member from Tamenglong noted, "It was practical and engaging. The skills gained will promote our documentation process and help in filing applications for events." Many highlighted the immediate boost in confidence, with one stating, "The training has improved my confidence in capturing photos and videos for documentation and proper promotional purposes under MSRLM activity."

The most tangible outcome of this capacity-building exercise was the creation of a rich visual repository for MSRLM. By the end of the workshop, the mission had not just upskilled staff, but had also generated nine compelling 1-minute video stories and a vast collection of high-quality photographs—all shot, edited, and curated by the participants themselves as part of their final group exercises and a booklet full of guides and tips on visual grammar.

Image: A photograph by a participant for a individual presentation.

Image: An excited participant

Image: A participant during a field exercise looking for a story.

This initiative marks a significant step for MSRLM, fostering a new culture of ethical, high-quality visual documentation. By turning its staff into skilled storytellers, the mission is ensuring that the successes and challenges of Manipur's rural communities are seen, heard, and understood with greater clarity and impact than ever before. Surely an endeavour all other departments and organization can emulate.