Ishwak Singh Starrer Mitti: Ek Nayi Pehchaan Pays Homage to India’s Agri-Tech Ventures
Roughly halfway through Mitti: Ek Nayi Pehchaan, a village elder tells Raghav (Ishwak Singh) of the nuanced difference between being in a village and truly belonging there. This distinction is central to the series that delves into the journey of returning to one’s roots, available now on Amazon MX Player.
Directed by Alok Kumar Dwivedi and Gaganjeet Singh, the series chronicles Raghav, a village-born, city-bred ad executive who leverages his rural background in advertising campaigns. Often seen with a gamcha, Raghav crafts commercials for products and services targeting ‘Bharat’. However, the trajectory of his life alters drastically following the demise of his grandfather, Sudarshanji, portrayed by Yogendra Tiku. Raghav is compelled to shoulder the responsibility of his grandfather’s mantle and farm, initially driven by duty, followed by family honor, and eventually by conviction.
The series is reminiscent of narratives that would have resonated with legendary writers like Munshi Premchand, who, in the early 1900s, depicted the migration of youth from villages to urban landscapes in pursuit of consumer-driven lifestyles. Urban migration continues at pace, with cities regarded as hubs of opportunity, offering education, employment, and healthcare.
Mitti: Ek Nayi Pehchaan envisions a future where the educated and capable are drawn back to villages to pioneer startups that create jobs and produce sustainable agricultural goods. This contemporary iteration of “mere desh ki dharti sona ugle” emphasizes technology and significant investment as its cornerstones.
As the credits roll, the series pays tribute to agri-tech pioneers, acknowledging founders such as Sumit Sheoran and Sudhanshu Rai of Precision Farming in Bengaluru; Harshit Godha from Indo Israel Avocado in Bhopal; and others leading agri-tech innovations in India. These individuals symbolize a fraction of the entrepreneurial wave sweeping through India’s agricultural sector, bringing technology-driven solutions and innovations.
The entrepreneurs featured in Mitti: Ek Nayi Pehchaan, along with others, reflect a movement focused on revitalizing villages and transforming rural economies. These agri-entrepreneurs, with backgrounds in cosmopolitan cities, leverage access to resources, large landholdings, financial investments in technology advancements like polyhouses and vertical farming, expert guidance, and connection to premium markets eager for organic and exotic produce.
The decision of these individuals to pivot back to agricultural livelihoods marks a hopeful trend for rural rejuvenation.
Within the series, Raghav’s family estate, encompassing vast acres, historically employed villagers who followed his every directive. His comfort in negotiating with governmental agencies indicates how his educational and social privilege aids his ventures.
Mitti: Ek Nayi Pehchaan, featuring Shruti Sharma as the principled bureaucrat, Nikhil Jaiswal; Sharat Sonu as Girdhari, the loan recovery officer; Alka Amin as the wise Dadi; Diksha Juneja as Raghav’s city-life girlfriend; alongside actors Sushil Sonu, Piyush Kumar, Renita Kapoor, and lead Ishwak Singh, is not unique in spotlighting government efforts. Initiatives such as the Digital Agriculture Mission, AgriStack, and Startup India are referenced, echoing earlier narratives like Toilet: Ek Prem Katha (2017) and Sui Dhaga (2018), which sought to blend storytelling with societal themes.
Pioneering in its portrayal, the series not only entertains but is a nod to the synergy between cultural heritage and modern technological investments aimed at transforming the agrarian landscape of India.
