(a) whether the Government has received any representation regarding
screening of films/speech of eminent freedom fighters in schools/high schools
to strengthen national integration; and
(b) if so, the details thereof and the action/steps taken/being taken
by the Government in this regard?
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF INFORMATION & BROADCASTING
(DR. S. JAGATHRAKSHAKAN)
(a) & (b): Yes Sir. A letter has been received from Shri Parshottam Rupala,
Member of Parliament, Lok Sabha, suggesting screening of the films on the freedom
fighters in schools and on Television so as to strengthen national integration.
In this regard, the Government has taken various steps. The Films Division
releases the approved/notified films/documentaries including films on national
leaders in theatres of the country. It organises film festivals in various cities
and state capitals including schools/colleges which also include screening of films
on national leaders. Student’s participation in such film festivals is considerably
large. Further, Films Division also sends its films regularly to various Regional
Doordarshan Kendras for maximising the targeted audience.
For commemoration of the 150th Anniversary of First War of Independence, 1857,
the National Film Development Corporation has been authorized to prepare Digital
Video Discs/Compact Discs (DVDs/CDs) for distribution to various schools and
colleges. These DVDs/CDs include films, namely, ‘Making of the Mahatma’,
‘Dr. Baba Saheb Ambedkar’, ‘Sardar’ and ‘Gandhi’.
Besides these, Films Division’s films on freedom fighters of the country
are available on DVDs/CDs/Print for sale for non-commercial purposes including
schools. The objective of such films is to familiarise students/younger generation
about freedom movement and national unity.