India The Big Picture Conference Inaugurated by Shri Anand Sharma

Shri Anand Sharma, the Minister of State for Information & Broadcasting and External Affairs has assured all help and assistance to boost media and entertainment industry in the country, which he described as not only entertaining but also educating in social life and employment generating. Shri Sharma was speaking at the inaugural function of the day long ‘India – The Big Picture’ Conference organized by the Confederation of Indian Industries in Panaji today. ‘New Dreams, New Directions’ was the theme of the Conference.

The Minister said that the country has bountiful creative and technological talent available, and can become hub for outsourcing as well as making and exporting original animation films to other parts of the world. He said, the Government has liberalized the policy with regard to foreign direct investment and expressed hope that the foreign companies will take the benefit of this in ever-greater numbers to usher in new models that will lead to greater cooperation and greater profitability. The initiatives taken in this direction has already started yielding results, he added.

The Minister also announced plans to set up a National Centre of Excellence for gaming, animation and visual effects and a Moving Image Museum at Mumbai. There are also plans for upgrading the Films and TV Institute of India, Pune and adding new streams of courses to meet the demand in new emerging areas, the Minister mentioned. The National Film Archives of India too is being upgraded for preserving classic films.

Shri Sharma described cinema industry as most powerful unifying bond amongst Indians, which he said also has the potential of bringing together various cultures and peoples of the world and can ultimately help development of tourism sector of the country. The Minister stressed on evolving plans for utilizing natural beauty of the country for promoting the country as shooting destination of the world.

The Chief Minister of Goa, Shri Digamber V. Kamat while speaking on the occasion said that the brand name of Goa for international film festivals is fast catching up and Government will leave no stone unturned to establish it further. He said that an ideal location for establishing world class infrastructure for shooting, where film people from all over the world can come is being identified in Goa. He dwelt at large upon Goa’s contribution to film industry in the country.

Earlier, Smt. Sushma Singh, Secretary (I&B), described the film industry as the fastest growing sector of Indian economy. Smt. Singh said that the Government has already formulated policy on IPTV and policy on Mobile TV is under active consideration of the Government. Government is keenly observing technological advancement in the entertainment sector and the policy on convergence and regulations aimed at developing new models of entertainment will also be formulated taking the industry in confidence. Third phase of FM radio is also on the cards, she said.

Shri J. P. Singh, Chief Secretary of Goa, and Shri P. F. XD’lima, Past chairman, CII Goa also spoke. Shri V.B. Pyarelal, Joint Secretary and Smt. Sangeeta Singh, Director Ministry of Information & Broadcasting also attended the Conference as panelists among others.

The Conference deliberated upon New Revenue Streams –Merchandising & Theatre Chains, New Media and developing New Markets. The Seminar was attended by film personalities in large number.

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