Guwahati Feb 24 PTI Bangladesh Information and Broadcasting Minister Hasan Mahmud on Thursday stressed the vital role that films can play in enhancing cultural and people-to-people ties between his country and IndiaMahmud was speaking while inaugurating the first Bangladesh Film Festival here to celebrate the birth centenary of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and the golden jubilee of the independence of the neighbouring countryThe festival which will continue through the first half of March beginning from Friday at different venues in Guwahati is being organised by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting Bangladesh in association with the Assistant High Commission of Bangladesh GuwahatiMahmud pointed out that India and Bangladesh were one country but the Partition in 1947 led to disruption in the connectivityPeople of both the countries speak almost the same language live along the banks of the same rivers But political boundaries have disrupted our connectivity he saidGovernments of both the countries have been working on re-establishing connectivity through roads rails and water between the two neighbours and increasing economic cooperation the minister saidUnderlining that people-to-people connect is equally important for taking forward economic ties Mahmud said For enhancing cultural relations and people-to-people ties films play an important role And hence we decided to hold the festival here We hope to make it a regular event The Bangladesh minister also highlighted the role of films in helping humans remain humane in the present technology-driven materialistic worldAssam Forest and Environment Minister Parimal Suklabaidya along with other dignitaries were also present at the inaugural ceremony PTI SSG MM MM

Agartala (Tripura) [India], February 24 (ANI): Bangladesh Information and Broadcasting Minister Muhammad Hasan Mahamud on Wednesday said that barriers put up by Indian broadcasting and cable operating networks to air Bangladeshi channels should be lifted and the platforms should be made economically feasible for the Bangladesh channels.

Agartala Feb 23 PTI The Tripura government would establish a film institute in the state in collaboration with Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute Kolkata said States Information and Cultural Affairs Minister Sushanta Chowdhury on Wednesday The process to establish a film institute has gained pace as a budgetary provision of Rs 575 crore would be made this year he said Chowdhury who was speaking at the inaugural function of the second Bangladesh Film Festival here said a team of the department would visit Kolkata to move forward the much awaited plan We want a team of Satyajit Ray Film Institute also to visit the state in order to expedite the plan of having a film institute he said Chowdhury said film industry creates a lot of job opportunities for the professionals as well as young talents It is not the fact only actors and actresses make money A film industry requires a lot of professionals - directors singers musicians light and sound artistes photographers lyricists and script writers Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb himself is interested in the project We will make it possible at the earliest he said We want expertise from all film institutes and also help from the Bangladesh side in this venture the minister said Chowdhury further said the state plans to organize the Bangladesh Film Festival in all the districts and sub-divisions of the state to cement the cultural bond between the people of both sides We dont want to confine the film festival in a room It must be staged in an open sky and I hope this will be possible next time he said PTI PS RG RG