The 18th International Children Film Festival of India (ICFFI) was inaugurated here today at Lalitha Kala Thoranam. A colourful extravaganza of dance with Bollywood star Ranbir Kapoor shaking a leg marked the Inaugural function.
Speaking on the occasion, Shri Manish Tewari, Union Minister of Information and Broadcasting said that the Children Film Festival not only provides an occasion to show case creativity, enterprise and innovation but also provides an occasion to reinforce the most fundamental of all inalienable rights - the right of plurality of thought and expression. Stressing on the underlying philosophy of “Vasudaiva Kutambam” as the guiding principle of the festival, he said, that there is no better place to find the manifestation of this true value than in the heart and mind of children.
Lauding Hyderabad for hosting nine out of 18 children film festivals, he said that India is an ancient civilisation but a very young country. In this context, he recalled the words of Pandit Nehru – India has known the innocence of childhood, the passion and abandon of youth and right of wisdom of majority that comes from long experience of pain and pleasure, and over and over again, she renewed her childhood, youth and age -- We look towards a coming generation, not only in India but around the world to ensure 21st century remains peaceful, progressive and provides a beacon of hope, creativity and entrepreneurship for coming generations, the Minister said.
Stressing on importance of Indian civilisation as one of dissemination, absorption of various streaks and streams without loosing its Indianness, he said that if there was any city which reflected these ideas it was Hyderabad.
Speaking on the occasion, Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh Shri N. Kiran Kumar Reddy stressed on education of women, and said that there should be no discrimination on educating girls. He expressed concern over the tough times the film field is passing through because of competition from television and threat of piracy. He assured that the state government would soon take up the work of building infrastructure of children film complex on the land already allotted to it.
Earlier, Shri Bimal Julka, Secretary, M/o Information and Broadcasting welcomed the gathering. Minister for I&PR Smt. D.K. Aruna and Chief Secretary Shri P.K. Mohanty spoke on the occasion.
