Address by Governor at the 8th RYAN IAFA Award at Door Darshan Studio, Worli, Mumbai

ddress by Shri CH. Vidyasagar Rao, Governor of Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu at the 8th RYAN Iceplex Ad Film Awards – the World’s First Online Ad Film Making Contest for Young Future Generation at Door Darshan Studio, Worli, Mumbai at 4 pm on Thursday 20 October 2016

Shri Mukesh Sharma, Additional Director General, Mumbai Door Darshan, Smt Grace Pinto, Managing Director, RYAN Group, Shri Johny Lever, the most humble and popular Comedian, Shri Kiran Shantaram, former Sheriff of Mumbai, Shri Bharat Dabholkar, well known Theatre personality and Ad Guru, all other distinguished members of the Selection Jury, young Ad film makers and their mentors and guides, teachers, invitees, Door Darshan officials, ladies and gentlemen,

I am indeed happy to associate myself with the concluding function of the 8th RYAN Iceplex Ad Film Awards.

At the outset I congratulate the Ryan Group for conceiving the Online Ad film making contest for school children and for nurturing and sustaining the event successfully for all these years.

I also congratulate Mumbai Door Darshan led by Shri Mukesh Sharma Ji for partnering with the Ryan Group in the organization of this grand event.

Through the Ryan’s Ad Film Contest, young students from across the country have been provided an excellent platform to make a one minute ad film and to express themselves through the film.

Even though children have started making films, it is a fact that making a film is not a child’s play !

They have to conceptualize a theme, write an outline of the story, develop a screenplay, do the shooting and edit their own one-minute film. All by themselves. It is remarkable that these children have done it.

Amazing is only one word, that comes to my mind after watching the ad films made by the students.

I must say, I am amazed the way children think and express themselves so beautifully.

I congratulate all the young film makers who have participated in the Contest and whose entries have been selected for the award. Their achievement is very special considering the fact that nearly 12000 students had sent 33000 entries for the Ad Film Contest.

May I also congratulate the most eminent Awards Selection Jury for selecting the best of entries from among various short films produced by the Ryan group and other students.

Ladies and gentlemen,

Mumbai is not just the economic or commercial capital of India. It is also the capital of the Media and Entertainment industry in the country. The world’s biggest film industry, Bollywood is based in Mumbai.

For those growing up in Mumbai, there is always a deep curiosity and interest about films. But I am happy to note that students from all parts of country are equally excited about ad film making. Technology has brought about democratic decentralization in the area of film making, which is really a boon for the students.

I do feel that we must make concerted efforts to make Mumbai the capital of children’s film also. The festival should serve as the starting point.

Ladies and gentlemen,

The dynamics of education is changing. Children are acquiring knowledge and information from various sources – school is just one of these sources.

It is important that apart from imparting education, we inculcate among children strong ethical and moral values.

It is also important that students are informed of the socio-economic problems of society and about the cultural and racial diversity of Indian society.

A huge divide exists in India between the rich and the poor, between the urban and rural India. Children in rural areas, those living in Tribal Ashram Shalas live in a different world, so full of challenges. We have to create a level – playing field for them so that they have a chance to live in a better world of opportunity and access.

Even in the 21st Century, there are problems like unfair treatment of women, discrimination towards the girl child, female feticide, child marriages, dowry and denial of equal opportunity to women.

There are cultural factors for the continuation of some of these problems and practices.

Sensitizing the children about these problems will help us address these problems.

Terrorism has emerged as the biggest challenge to humanity and peaceful coexistence. India is the biggest victim of terrorism. Then there are challenges like insurgency, Naxalism which are crying for attention. Poverty, unemployment, disease and hunger are some of the longstanding problems which merit our attention. The issue of global climatic change is manifesting itself in the form of droughts and floods and strong climatic conditions. These issues are affecting the life and livelihood of the common man.

Understanding these issues in a proper perspective will make the learning of students comprehensive and holistic.

I have no doubt in my mind that children can definitely come up with most innovative ideas and solutions for some of our problems. Enabling them to make a short film is therefore a brilliant idea and needs to be supported.

I am very happy that topics like Women Empowerment, Health, Safety, Water Conservation, Environment and Child Nutrition were given to the students for making Ad Films.

Schools should organize Camps specifically to teach the art and proper techniques of film making to students.

Traditionally school projects are comprised of written reports, graphs, maybe a paper-made model, or a poster board with pictures.

Thought must be given to creating film based school projects. It will help to develop the personality, character and understanding of students, and make learning pleasurable.

Swami Vivekananda wanted education to be man making. It should be the endeavour of prestigious institutions like Ryan Group to produce leaders for society who will bring glory to Mother India.

I will appeal to Managing Director Mrs. Grace Pinto to make IAFA a national and international event.

Once again I congratulate all the winners, and compliment them for producing brilliant short films. I convey my appreciation to RYAN Group, Door Darshan and to all Jury Members for their excellent work.

Jai Hind! Jai Maharashtra!