We’ll continue to hold Goa’s hand: Tewari
TEAM HERALD
PANJIM: Ten years after the International Film Festival of India moved to Goa, the Central Government said Goa should have no doubts it had become the festival’s permanent venue. “We started in 2004 and now it is 2013. We will continue to hold Goa’s hand. There should be no doubt about it,” Union Minister of State for Information & Broadcasting Manish Tewari told the media at an official briefing before the opening of the 44th festival.
Tewari said Goa would be assured of the Centre’s continued support in terms of infrastructure and other requirements.
Referring to BJP prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi’s talk about using the centenary celebrations of cinema to further brand India, Tewari said that the UPA government does not use the film festival for any sort of branding activity.
Drawing a parallel between Modi and Adolf Hitler without naming either Tewari said, “A couple of weeks ago, an esteemed gentleman said he would have used the centenary of Indian cinema to brand India. I was reminded of another gentleman who some decades ago wanted to use the Berlin Olympics to brand his country, and the results unfortunately were very disastrous for the world.”
Calling the 100 years of cinema, a celebration of the spirit of the essence of Indian cinema, Tewari said, “For us, it is a tribute to the true creativity of people who have spent a lifetime in helping to build India and we do not see the celebration of spirit of Indian cinema as a branding exercise.”
Asked about several Bollywood stars rooting for Modi as prime minister, Tewari said, “Unfortunately, elections in this country are decided by the people and not celebrity endorsements. That is the essence of democracy. So when elections come, we will test the waters.” Tewari pointed out that the BJP had failed to secure the blessings of the people twice over, in 2004 and 2009.
The minister also said that he welcomed the initiative by the film industry to initiate awards of their own. “If the industry takes such initiatives, we welcome it. We do not see it as competition. The film industry has a lot of shades and its magnificence is in its vibrancy and exuberance,” he said, adding that the festival was looking to support stalwarts who had contributed to the betterment of cinema for decades by initiating the centenary award for film personalities.
“The motive of the award is to felicitate those who have spent their lives in films and we are proud of that,” he said, adding that stellar actress Waheeda Rehman would be presented the award this time.
Also speaking at the occasion I&B secretary Bimal Julka said that the first phase of The National Museum of Indian Cinema in Mumbai is likely to be complete in a month. Speaking about the Rs 600-crore national mission to preserve the country’s film heritage, he said that the project is undergoing necessary procedures to get clearances at the earliest.
