Minister of State for Education, Technical Education, Culture and Tourism Priya Sethi today inaugurated the four-day Children’s Film Festival organized by Department of Information and Public Relations (DIPR) as part of Jammu Mahotsav 2017 here today.The inaugural event was held today at GCW Parade with screening of the film "Kuk Doo Koo”, which communicates a strong message that everyone, old or young, should fight injustice even when the odds are heavily stacked against them.While speaking on the occasion, the Minister said that this film festival will showcase many award winning films that will communicate strong social, moral and cultural message to the children.“It is essential to expose, engage children & youth with world cultures and promote peace, tolerance and global understanding of how people from different cultures, religions and backgrounds live together”, she added.
Appreciating DIPR and Director Information Dr Shahid Iqbal Choudhary for organizing this film festival, the Minister said that this initiative will go a long way in nurturing creativity and exposing children to a value-based entertainment.
She asked for special children’s film festivals to be made a regular feature in the state and directed for similar events to be held at district levels every few months to increase youth engagement.The Minister referring to upcoming Jammu Mahotsav 2017 said that Children’s Film Festival will add another facet to Jammu Mahotsav’s vivid panorama of colorful rich culture, dance, music, vibrant costumes and beautiful handicrafts.The festival is dedicated to enhancing media literacy of children and young people, foster children’s creativity and showcase the very best in filmmaking for, by and about children and young people.Joint Director Information Manisha Sarin, Deputy Director (PR) Jammu Avleen Kaur Bali besides other officers from Information department, Principal GCW parade, faculty and students in large number from multiple institutions were present for the event.
As part of the Children’s Film Festival, many award-winning films including Bandu Boxer, Ek Ajooba, Kuk Doo Koo, Chatpat Chunmoon, Aasman Se Gira, Gilli Gilli Atta, Nandu Raja, Kukro Koo and others will be screened at five venues over the four festival days.The venues for festival include Govt SRML Higher Secondary School Parade, Govt College for Women Parade, Govt Girls Higher Secondary School Mubarak Mandi, Govt Girls Higher Secondary School Rehari and Govt Higher Secondary School Bakshi Nagar.The venues of screening at Govt College for Women Parade and Govt Higher Secondary School Bakshi Nagar shall be restricted to children of the cluster schools, the other three venues including Govt SRML Higher Secondary School Parade, Govt Girls Higher Secondary School Mubarak Mandi and Govt Girls Higher Secondary School Rehari shall be open for all the children after 12 noon.
Besides, Department of Information and Public Relations (DIPR) is also organizing Cultural Carnival and Photo Exhibition in connection with ‘Jammu Mahotsav-2017’.Cultural Carnival and Photo Exhibition is being organized by the Cultural Wing of DIPR at Kala Kendra Jammu and it will include presentation of bouquet of J&K’s unique and diverse art including Dogri, Kashmir, Gojri, Pahari, Ladakhi and others.Pertinently, Jammu Mahotsav-2017 is being organized in the winter capital from April 13, 2017 to April 16, 2017 to promote Jammu as an independent tourist destination. The four-day cultural carnival will showcase rich cultural heritage of the State and the region.