Ekta Nagar (Guj), Sep 22 (PTI) Union Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said on Tuesday that National Film Awards will be organised at prominent tourist destinations suggested by states and UTs, and asked critics to put the nation’s interests above “narrow political discussions”.
Addressing the gathering at the 72nd National Film Awards distribution ceremony near the Statue of Unity in Gujarat, Vaishnaw said the decision is inspired by the manner in which G20 meetings were organised across different parts of the country.
“You all know that when the G20 took place in India, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, it was organised uniquely. More than 200 meetings were held across every corner of the country, reaching every state and Union Territory across more than 60 cities,” he said.
The minister said the G20 meetings were an example of how India’s rich and diverse cultural heritage could be showcased to the world.
“That is the thought process we have adopted for this year’s National Film Awards,” Vaishnaw said.
He said the aim was to take the National Film Awards to “very important tourist destinations” across the country.
“Today, we have gathered in Ekta Nagar, which is home to the world’s tallest statue of Sardar Patel. That gives a huge opportunity for all of you from the film world to come and experience this beautiful place,” he said.
Vaishnaw said states and Union Territories would get an opportunity to propose tourist destinations for future editions of the awards.
“How will we select the destination? I am giving a call to all the states and Union Territories. Select one of the most important tourist destinations in your state and tell us what improvements you will make there. Then your destination will be selected, and we will have the next round of the NFA at that chosen location,” he said.
The minister said the move would allow the awards ceremony to travel to different parts of the country and help promote tourist destinations.
“Through this method, we will be able to move around to some of the most important tourist destinations. All of you in the film world are incredibly popular among the youth and the entire country. When you visit a tourist destination, its promotion will naturally happen on its own,” Vaishnaw added.
He said film personalities will also benefit from the move as they will experience the unique tourist spots, making it a win-win situation.
His remarks came amid criticism from some opposition leaders over the decision to shift the National Film Awards ceremony from Delhi to Ekta Nagar in Gujarat.
Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray had criticised the move earlier this month, alleging that the Centre was trying to “create a wall” between Gujarat and the rest of the country. Party MP Sanjay Raut had called for a boycott of the event.
Apparently referring to the criticism, Vaishnaw said, “….So to those who get into narrow political discussions, I want to request you to look above your political interests and think of our country first, think of the nation first, always first”.
He also said the government is planning to launch an initiative to identify and provide a platform to “raw talent” from villages and small towns who do not get opportunities for mentorship or training in big cities.
Vaishnaw said the programme would seek to bring hidden talent into the mainstream with the help of the film industry.
“I want to start a way by which we can identify raw talent which didn’t get the opportunity to be in a big city, the talent which did not get the opportunity to be mentored or be guided by some really important personality from the film world,” he said.
He said Prasoon Joshi, who has joined Doordarshan, would form a team to identify such young talent.
“Prasoon Joshi, who is from your film industry, is now with Doordarshan (as Chairperson of Prasar Bharati). So, to identify young talent, raw talent, Prasoonbhai will be making a team,” he said.
Joshi was sitting in the audience at the award distribution venue in Ekta Nagar.
The minister appealed to members of the film industry to volunteer and contribute to the initiative.
“Please volunteer. Those who want to contribute to this journey, where raw talent hidden in the villages and small towns of our country gets a new platform, gets a big stage. I want to request you: will you help?” he asked.
Vaishnaw asked attendees to raise their hands if they were willing to support the initiative.
“Any volunteers here? Can I see one hand, two hands, three hands? Oh wow! This is great. So many people are ready. Perhaps, Prasoonbhai, more than half of your work is done,” he said.
The minister also highlighted the role of the Indian Institute of Creative Technology (IICT) in providing industry-driven education.
“The most important point is that the entire course curriculum is designed by the industry. We had promised you that this will be state-of-the-art education which is totally driven by industry, totally driven by the modern changes in technology, and that is what we have delivered in IICT,” he said.
Vaishnaw said PM Modi had approved 15,000 creative labs across the country, which would provide young people opportunities to learn new technologies and bring their creativity to the market.
“Through this, our youth will get a new opportunity to learn new technologies, to bring their creativity to the market, and to take India’s diverse culture to the country and the world,” he said.
(PTI News)
