Summary: (The Museum's copy of this film has lost virtually all the soundtrack). A film showing how the arid terrain of the Punjab was 'conquered' by the application of irrigation, agricultural research and hydro-electric power.
Description: An establishing 'India' sequence (a market/fair) is followed by an impression of the waterless landscape of the 'old' Punjab, its inhabitants of necessity idle. Film of mountain snow, streams etc points out the potential solution in the mountains to the north; an old fashioned ox-powered water-lifting wheel; map of the new 'Punjab Irrigation System' construction of new dams, reservoirs etc. Agricultural students (at a college in an old palace?) examine the yield of grain crops planted in experimental plots. Oxen ploughing field; heavy crops of wheat and other produce, including cotton and fruit, are harvested. Industry is also shown to follow the new scheme (hydro-electric turbines; textile and timber mills, heavy industry). The film closes with a return visit to the villagers of the opening sequences, now surveying flourishing (irrigated) fields.
Production Details: Department of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India (Production sponsor)
Ministry of Information (Production sponsor)
Information Films of India (Production company)
Mir, Ezra (Production individual)
Cummins, Sylvia K (Production individual)
Robinson, Robert (Production individual)
Burgess, George (Production individual)
Personalities, Units and Organisations:
Keywords: agriculture, Indian - arable (object name)
agriculture, Indian - tropical (object name)
engineering, civilian, Indian: Punjab Irrigation System (object name)
India & Punjab (geography)
Physical Characteristics: Colour format: B&W
Sound format: Sound
Soundtrack language: None
Title language: English
Subtitle language: None
Technical Details: Format: 35mm
Number of items/reels/tapes: 1
Footage: 796 ft; Running time: 9 mins
