‘Govt to support states in preserving cinematic heritage’

Pune, Aug 23 (PTI) The Information and BroadcastingMinistry is exploring possibilities of extending financial andtechnical support to state governments in their efforts tosafeguard the country’s cinematic heritage, a senior officialsaid today. "The objective of preserving the country’s cinematicheritage has to be achieved in collaboration with stategovernments," said Secretary of I&B Ministry Sunil Mittal. He was speaking on the sidelines of a high-levelCommittee meeting on National Film Heritage Mission (NFHM) atNational Film Archives of India (NFAI) here. Mittal said the committee has taken some major decisionsto expand NFHM’s horizons. "The mission would ensure not only the preservation offilm heritage but also its dissemination and access to thelast mile. This would create awareness amongst youth andchildren about our rich cultural heritage," said theSecretary. Appreciating efforts of NFAI officers in implementing theMission, Mittal said, all necessary steps are being undertakento involve global organisations and institutions to ensureproject’s implementation as per international standards. According to the Secretary, NFAI’s facilities would beaugmented by creating new state of the art vaults in itspremises. Laying thrust on the need for enhancing research onIndian cinema, Mittal said, the Centre is exploring thepossibility of extending NFAI’s research fellowship to theuniversity level through formal institutional mechanisms. "NFAI would reach out to major universities for shortand long term courses in the area of film studiesincorporating subject of film archiving and preservation. "This would ensure building of skilled manpower in theniche area of film preservation," Mittal added. NFHM is the Centre’s project for digitisation,restoration, preservation and conservation of country’s richfilm heritage and has a budgetary outlay of Rs 597.41 crore. The NFAI is the implementing agency for the Mission. PTISPK NRBMNGJMF