Speed Post News Network
New Delhi : Union Information and Broadcasting (I&B) Minister Prakash Javadekar on December 14, 2020, said that the idea of organising a film festival to celebrate short films made on coronavirus was wonderful. Speaking at the International Coronavirus Short Film Festival here on December 14, Javadekar said that the festival witnessing participation of 2,800 films from 108 countries on a single topic is an example of peoples’ immense talent. The Minister congratulated the organisers of the festival.
Javadekar said that the pandemic has caused major upsets in countries across the globe. However, he noted, that India has been able to handle the crisis well under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who recognised the crisis early in 2020 and has since been working relentlessly against the threat. The Minister also said that the coronavirus crisis is now on its way out and that soon vaccine would be available in India too. He took the opportunity to caution people against letting the guard down before anti bodies are created and second dose of the vaccine administered, according to a PIB release.
Speaking about 51st International Film Festival of India to be organised in Goa, Javadekar said IFFI would be organised in a ‘hybrid manner’. People would be able to witness the festival online while the opening and closing ceremonies would be organised at the location with a smaller audience. He also informed that this edition of IFFI will see participation of 21 non-feature films.
Union Minister for Minority Affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi, speaking on the occasion, congratulated Javadekar and Ministry of I&B for creating mass awareness about coronavirus successfully in a country as vast as India. He also congratulated the Jury and the organisers of the festival for bringing such a vast array of short films to a single place.