Countdown begins for IFFI 2015; I&B Secretary
Reviews arrangements
The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting and Government of Goa are
working together through the Directorate of Film Festivals and Entertainment
Society of Goa respectively for organizing the 46th edition of
the International Film Festival of India -IFFI 2015.
Secretary, Information & Broadcasting Sunil Arora along with Chief
Secretary of Goa R.K. Srivastava and Vice Chairman of Entertainment Society of
Goa Damodar Naik, held two rounds of review meetings for the arrangements in
Goa for the International Film Festival of India. Addressing media persons in
Panaji today, Shri Arora said “we have personally inspected and reviewed the
preparations at different venues which include arrangements for the opening and
closing ceremonies, opening film, Indian Panorama section and arrangements for
delegates and media in terms of hospitality and logistics”. Shri Arora further
said that for the last 11 years, Goa has been the perfect venue for the lively
interplay between art, cinema and the audience. ‘The film festival is ready to
welcome a large film audience in Goa with many new and exciting elements in its
bouquet” he added.
The I&B Secretary said, noted
Bollywood actor Anil Kapoor would be the Chief Guest for the opening ceremony
while Oscar winning music director A.R. Rehman would be present for the closing
ceremony. In the World Cinema section of IFFI 2015, 187 films will be
screened in various sections from 89 countries. Spain is the country of focus.
The Indian Panorama section will bring a mélange of 47 spectacular films from
India in Feature and Non-Feature category. The opening film “The Man Who
Knew Infinity” directed by Mathew Brown is the true story of friendship that
forever changed mathematics. In 1913, Ramanujan a self-taught Indian
mathematics genius travelled to Trinity College, Cambridge, where he forged a
bond with his mentor, Professor GH Hardy who helped reveal his mathematic
genius to the world .
Film Bazaar, in
its 9th edition, will be focusing on more than 150 film
projects at various stages under film labs, co-production market, viewing room
and industry screening. Film Bazaar is aimed at facilitating collaboration in
the realm of production and distribution. Delegates from 38 countries will be
participating in the Bazaar from November 20-24.
ESG Vice
Chairman Damodar Naik welcomed the Government of India’s decision to
declare Goa as the permanent venue of IFFI and promised all cooperation in
staging a spectacular International Film Festival. Chief Secretary Shri
R.K. Srivastava said the State Government machinery is fully geared to organize
a successful festival, which would be memorable experience for nearly 7000
delegates who would be taking part in the Festival.
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Open-mindedness and appreciation of genuine
criticism a part of Indian tradition: President of India
President confers National Awards for Excellence in Journalism
President Pranab Mukherjee inaugurates National Press Day Celebrations
President confers National Awards for Excellence in Journalism
President Pranab Mukherjee inaugurates National Press Day Celebrations
The President of
India, Shri Pranab Mukherjee said that prestigious awards were public
recognition of talent, merit and hardwork by peers and leaders in the
profession. Such awards should be cherished and valued by those who receive
them. As proud Indians, we must have confidence in the idea of India and
the values and principles enshrined in our Constitution. Open-mindedness
and appreciation of genuine criticism was the tradition of our nation that
should be preserved and strengthened. Disagreement should be expressed through
debate and discussion. Shri Mukherjee said this while inaugurating the National
Press Day celebrations organized by the Press Council of India today in New
Delhi. Col. Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore, Minister of State for Information &
Broadcasting and Justice Chandramauli Kumar Prasad, PCI chairman were also present on the occasion. Shri Mukherjee also gave away National
Awards for excellence in journalism on the occasion.
Invoking examples from history, Shri Mukherjee said
that the growth of newspapers and agencies in our country had its roots in our
freedom struggle. The press in India had evolved, not through the aegis of the
Government but due to the commitment of individuals who used it as a tool to
fight the exploitative and oppressive policies of the colonial Government.
Newspapers became the platforms for social reform movements across the country.
Shri Mukherjee further said that today, the influence, credibility and quality
of our media was well recognized all over the world. The Indian media had grown
in scale, reach and revenues over the years. Its significance had further
increased with higher literacy levels and the revolution in communication
technologies. It had become a powerful means for shaping the ideas, aspirations
and behaviour of our people, even in the remotest corners of our country.
Highlighting the importance the Press Council of
India, Shri Mukherjee said that it had the dual mandate of protecting the
freedom of the press and ensuring that the Press exercises its freedom within
the ambit of the ethics of journalism and the legal framework of our country.
He said that media must act as a watchdog of public interest and give voice to
the marginalized. Journalists must bring to public notice the array of ills and
deprivations that continue to beset large number of our people. The power of
the media should be used to reset our moral compass and promote liberalism,
humanism and decency in public life. He said that media should exercise caution
in passing judgements, especially on matters where the due process of law is
yet to be completed. He said the media fraternity is not only provider of news,
but also educators who empower our citizens and strengthen the democratic
framework of our country.
Referring to the main theme of this year’s National
Press Day discussion, the President said cartoons and caricatures were good
stress busters. The cartoonist captures the mood of the time and is able to
portray what lengthy articles fail to express.
Minister of State for Information &
Broadcasting Col. Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore while speaking on the occasion
said that press acted as a tool for ensuring transparency in governance.
Due to technological developments, it was possible to get immediate and
detailed feedback from public on government policies. Elaborating
further Col Rathore said that contrary to the trends worldwide the growth of
print media in India was on the rise. He said that it was responsibility of
the media to provide fair and balanced information and Government was also
committed to ensure freedom of speech.
To encourage the media to pursue its duties
effectively without fear or favour following the dictum of ‘freedom with
responsibility’, the Press Council of India, as the only statutory authority
enjoying such mandate, has instituted National Awards to honour journalists
excelling in print journalism in various fields. This includes ‘Raja Ram Mohan
Roy National Award for Excellence in Journalism’ in honour of one of the
greatest reformer journalists of the country. Other awards were conferred in
the fields of rural / developmental Reporting, investigative Journalism,
photo-journalism as well as best newspapers art.
The President conferred award to Mr. Sujit Chakkraborty, Indo
Asian News Service and Mr.Vinoy Mathew, Mathrubhumi who were jointly selected
in the category of Rural Journalism and Developmental Reporting. Mr. Sharad
Vyas, Mid Day bagged the honour in Investigative Journalism category.
Mr.Shahbaz Khan of PTI was selected for Award for Photo Journalism in Single
News Picture category, while Award in Photo Feature category was given to
Mr.Tashi Tobgyal of Indian Express. Mr. C.R.Sasikumar, the Indian Express
was selected for award in the category of Best Newspapers Art covering
cartoons, caricatures and illustrations.
National Press Day – The 16th of
November is symbolic of a free and responsible press in India. On this
day the Press Council of India started functioning as a moral watchdog to
ensure that not only did the press maintain the high standards expected from
this powerful medium but also that it was not fettered by the influence or
threats of any extraneous factors. To encourage debate and deliberations on the impact that cartoons and
caricatures could have in the present day context, and the importance of
recognizing them as important instrument of freedom of expression, the Council
has dedicated the Press Day Deliberations 2015 to the memory of S/Shri
R.K.Laxman, best known for his creation of the Common Man, made the column “You
said it” a much awaited morning dose of humor for the readers who found an
immediate connect with the issues raised by him. Shri Rajinder Puri, was
a political activist whose acumen and perceptions very clearly reflected in his
illustrations and the extraordinary critique.
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