National Film Awards to move to top tourist destinations across India: Vaishnaw
Parwinder Sandhu
Kevadia, Sep 22 (UNI) The National Film Awards will now move beyond conventional venues and be hosted at some of the country's best tourist destinations, union Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said on Tuesday, inviting States to propose destinations for the next edition.
Speaking to the media during the 72nd National Film Awards ceremony at Ekta Nagar in Gujarat, Vaishnaw said, "We are taking the National Film Awards to the best tourist destinations in the country, inspired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi ji." Highlighting Ekta Nagar as an example, the Minister said the destination had gained global recognition and was home to the world's tallest statue of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. The presence of the President of India and leading personalities from the Indian film industry at such a destination would help draw greater attention to its tourism potential, he said. Vaishnaw said the objective was to take the National Film Awards "beyond a conference room" and bring them closer to people while simultaneously promoting tourism.
He invited all States to submit proposals identifying their best tourism destinations for hosting the National Film Awards. The proposals, he said, should include adequate facilities and a comprehensive plan for the "360-degree development" of the proposed destination. The State whose proposal is selected will host a subsequent edition of the National Film Awards at the identified tourist destination.
The Minister cited the example of India's G20 presidency, when events were organised across different parts of the country, saying the National Film Awards initiative was part of a broader effort to explore the convergence of cinema and tourism. Bringing the two sectors together, he said, would benefit tourist destinations while also enabling the National Film Awards to reach physical locations across the country rather than remaining confined to conventional venues.
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