Port Blair, Sept 30: The three-day ‘Children’s Film Festival’, organized by the Department of Art & Culture, A&N Administration, in collaboration with Children’s Film Society of India (CFSI), Ministry of I&B, Govt. of India, from Sept 30 to Oct 2, 2016, got underway at DBRAIT auditorium here this morning with its inauguration by the First Lady of A&N Islands, Smt Prem Mukhi as the chief guest. The Member of Parliament, Shri Bishnu Pada Ray, Smt Rupa Ray, Assistant Distribution Officer, CFSI, Smt V. Agela and Secretary Art & Culture, Smt Ankita Mishra Bundela were also present during the inaugural ceremony.
Addressing the gathering, soon after lighting the ceremonial lamp, the First Lady expressed her happiness in being a part of this Children’s Film Festival. She said, Children’s Film Society of India came into existence in 1955 and the first children’s film by CFSI named ‘Jaldeep’ had won the best film award in Venice Children Film Festival.
She said CFSI not only entertains children but also presents movies with some moral values. Every year about 40 lakh children get benefited through the CFSI Films across the country. She remarked that children have the right to entertainment besides overall development; and the A&N Administration is also catering to their needs by organizing such programmes. The First Lady also lauded the Art & Culture Department for organizing various programmes in Isles. She exhorted children to make best use of this opportunity and enjoy the films, while they must also absorb good moral lessons from the film and emulate them. She also urged the students of private schools to come and watch the films.
The First Lady and the dignitaries also released the CDs of the six films being screened during the three day Children’s Film Festival.
In her address, Smt V. Agela, Assistant Distribution Officer, CFSI expressed gratitude to the dignitaries for gracing the occasion and thanked the A&N Administration for organizing such programmes for children and expressed hope that children would enjoy the films being screened for them. She further elaborated that CFSI has about 250 films, in various languages, in its library and also conducts week long Film Festivals across the country in coordination with District Administrations.
Large number of students and teachers from various schools attended the Children’s Film Festival. Children were seen enjoying the screening of two films titled ‘Goopi Gawaiiya Bhaga Bajaiiya’ and ‘Papu Ki Pugdandi’ which were screened today. On Oct 1st, the film titled ‘Krish, Trish & Baltiboy-1’ will be screened from 11 am to 1pm followed by film ‘Kaphal’ from 3pm to 5pm. On Oct 2nd the film titled ‘Gattu’ will be screened from 11 am to 1pm followed by film ‘Bapu Ne Kaha Tha’ from 3pm to 5pm. Besides students, other children and their parents have also been invited to come and watch the films.
Earlier, the Assistant Director, Art & Culture, Dr. Rashida Iqbal welcomed the gathering. The Director, Art & Culture, Dr. R. Devdas was also present on the occasion.
