Kargil war veteran offers award-winning suicide prevention film to nation free of cost
Hyderabad, July 22 (TNT): Kargil War veteran Group Captain G.J. Rao has offered to dedicate his award-winning Telugu feature film on suicide prevention, September-10, to the nation free of cost, urging governments and organisations to use it for creating awareness and preventing suicides across the country.
Rao, who has been involved in suicide prevention initiatives for over two decades, said he has been assisting people in distress through helpline services during his tenure in the Indian Air Force and after retirement.
He also authored a book on suicide prevention, which, he said, contributed to the establishment of Telangana’s 24×7 suicide prevention helpline “104”.
He said the film focuses on the emotional and psychological challenges faced by farmers, students, employees, entrepreneurs and families, while highlighting practical approaches to intervention and resilience.
According to Rao, the film has received appreciation from mental health professionals and has been screened by the Institute of Mental Health, Osmania Medical College and Roshni NGO.
Rao said he intends to make the film available for dubbing into Hindi and other Indian languages for dissemination through educational institutions, community centres, government organisations and rural outreach programmes without any commercial interest.
The former Air Force officer also called for a nationwide movement on suicide prevention under the slogan “Each One, Save One”, urging governments and corporate organisations to accord higher priority to mental health initiatives and allocate adequate resources for suicide prevention.
Among his recommendations, Rao advocated wider awareness of suicide prevention helplines, appointment of counsellors in educational institutions, implementation of buddy systems in schools and workplaces, installation of anti-suicide ceiling fans in hostels and public buildings, promotion of mental health awareness, and greater involvement of community stakeholders in identifying and supporting people in distress.
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