MARCH 24:Lieutenant Governor Shri Manoj Sinha today inaugurated the Tawi Filmotsva, a short film festival organized by the J&K Cine Association, at Abhinav Theatre, Jammu. The festival aims to provide a platform to promote local filmmaking talent in Jammu & Kashmir and showcase the rich cultural heritage of the region.
In his address, the Lieutenant Governor extended his heartfelt felicitations to the organizers, filmmakers, and all participants involved in the festival. He emphasized the importance of cinema as both an educational tool and a powerful medium for social change. “Cinema is an effective medium of education and a powerful agent of social change. I want our local talent to maintain a balance between entertainment and social concern and use this powerful medium for the benefit of society and social transformation,” said the Lieutenant Governor.
Shri Sinha highlighted the progressive film policy and other key interventions made by the government to create a vibrant film ecosystem in Jammu & Kashmir. He expressed his pride in the region’s growing presence in the film industry, noting that the peace and development efforts of the past five years have made Jammu & Kashmir an increasingly attractive destination for Hindi, regional, and foreign film shoots.
“The efforts of peace and development in the past five years have made Jammu & Kashmir a more attractive destination for film shooting, including Hindi, regional, and foreign films,” the Lieutenant Governor said. He further emphasized that technological advancements have significantly aided local filmmakers, actors, and professionals in various fields of cinema, enabling them to showcase the region’s diverse and rich cultural heritage to the world.
In his speech, Shri Sinha urged filmmakers and artists from Jammu & Kashmir to focus on raising awareness about social issues and promoting positive change through their creative endeavors. He stressed that creativity should not only serve personal ambitions but also act as a vehicle for social transformation. “Creativity is not only a source of fulfilling your dream, but it is also a vehicle for social change. The impact of cinema is unparalleled in raising awareness about social issues and fighting against social evils,” he said.
The Lieutenant Governor urged the youth to harness their creative talents to combat societal challenges like drug addiction and work alongside the government to uplift marginalized communities. He reiterated his commitment to ensuring that every citizen lives with dignity.
On the occasion, the Lieutenant Governor released a brochure for the Tawi Filmotsva and commended the J&K Academy of Art, Culture, and Languages (JKAACL) for its continuous efforts to promote the artistic and cultural heritage of the region.
Prominent attendees at the event included Prof. Umesh Rai, Vice Chancellor of the University of Jammu; Sh. Nitish Rajora, Director of Information; Ms. Harvinder Kour, Secretary of JKAACL; Sh. Dharminder Kohli, President of the J&K Cine Association; senior officials, renowned artists, filmmakers, and citizens from various sectors of society.