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Report: UNI MEI in Hyderabad. By: Ms. Anjali Sinha [Director, UNIDOC Delhi & NCR; UNI MEI India Coordinator] 24 to 27th March 08, Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh The UNI MEI India Coordinator & UNIDOC [Delhi & NCR] Director Sis. Anjali Sinha traveled to Hyderabad, the City of Nizams which is the capital city of Andhra Pradesh, India from 24 -27th March with objective to develop contacts with unions functioning in the Hyderabad as also inform them about the presence of UNI-MEI representative in India. The city of Hyderabad, known for its Muglai cuisine and numbered dargahs/mosques, has the one of the largest film studio in the world, Ramoji Film City. It also houses the second biggest film industry in India after ‘Hindi’ languaged films. It has produced some of the renowned film makers like Kasinadhuni Viswanath, Krishna Vamsi, Jandhyala and others. 24th March 2008: A condolence meeting in the memory of South India’s renowned actor, Mr. Shobhan Babu, was organized by the Movie Artists Association (MAA) for their legendary actor. The same was attended by a large number of people from the film and media fraternity. 25th March 2008 Meeting with Andhra Pradesh Film Industry Employees Federation (A.P.F.I.E.F) was held in its office. The Federation’s General Secretary Mr. C Venugopala Rao welcomed the UNI-MEI India Coordinator, Sis. Anjali Sinha and explained her about the history and working of the Federation. The primary aim of the meeting was to get in touch with Federation and express one’s existence locally as well as to discuss matters on the on-going proposed project Health and Safety in the Indian film industry specifically Hyderabad. Sis. Sinha was accompanied by Mr. JSR Prasad, Director [UNIDOC- India] and Mr. Durga Prasad of UNITES [Hyderabad]. Bro. Rao expressed his concerns on the Health and Safety issues in the industry, however also explained that this issue’s concerns are being supported by the Central Government. He also explained the status of the workers in various crafts as well as their union members and their ongoing activities. The federation has 24 unions under them from various crafts ranging from assistant directors to writers to junior artists and their agents to drivers and gaffers. Sis. Anjali then visited the offices of to the Andhra Pradesh Film Chamber of Commerce [APFCC] as well as those of A.P. Film Producers Council and Movie Actors Association. 26th March, 2008: Another meeting was held with the APFIEF at its federation office. Its manager, Mr. M. Gopalakrishna, answered most of the queries regarding their union and its details. He subsequently shared details on their APFIEF election schedules, office bearers etc. He also promised to provide detailed information on unions’ administration as well as their health and safety issues. However, he requested that another questionnaire to be developed specifically in their local language. Sis. Anjali thanked the APFIEF and in particular Bro. Rao and Gopalakrishna for a constructive meeting. Another effort to meet the MAA’s Office bearers failed as most of them were occupied elsewhere. March 27, 2008: More efforts was made to contact the MAA executive councils, however because of their tight shooting schedules none was unable to meet us. Later, Sis. Anjali had discussion with the UNIDOC’S National Director Mr. JSR Prasad who promised to do follow-up since the office is located in Hyderabad. 2008/04/01as-mei