SPEECH BY HON'BLE PRESIDENT OF INDIA SMT. PRATIBHA DEVISINGH PATIL , AT THE PRESENTATION OF THE NATIONAL FILM AWARDS

New Delhi, 2nd September 2008

I am very happy to be with all of you today on the occasion of the 54th National Film Awards function. This annual film award ceremony provides an opportunity to identify new talent as well as honor excellence achieved by film veterans in the field of cinema. I extend my congratulations to all the Award winners, whose creativity and excellence have given them recognition on the national stage.

The Indian Film Industry is considered to be the largest in the world, estimated to produce over a thousand films a year in the different languages of the country. I was impressed to learn that according to the Central Board of Film Certification, every month an audience as large as India's population goes to cinema halls. Also Indian cinema and music is very popular overseas in many countries, particularly among the 25 million Indian diaspora.

As our films capture the range and diversity that exists in the country, they attract such a large viewership. This vast and ever growing popularity of cinema has nourished and ensured a steady and ever increasing audience, which needs to be carefully nurtured, so that they appreciate and accept all that is higher and nobler in life.

Films are a very powerful way of conveying a message and have the ability of influencing masses. This medium of entertainment wields a sense of intimacy and familiarity and therefore, what it portrays has a reaction within society. This imposes a great responsibility on everyone associated with the film industry to look at how to use the power of cinema to do good for society through the portrayal of attitudes that help in building tolerant and harmonious societies. We have a rich and varied cultural heritage that has been and continues to be a very significant base for telling our own people and indeed, the world the story of India - a nation whose history goes back to many millenia, a nation that occupies an important place in the contemporary world and a nation whose future holds great promise.

The film industry is a part of the more than one billion Indian team that will build a strong and confident India. Films, being an important part of the lives of our people should not only be a source of popular entertainment for families and individuals, but also a medium of education and a vehicle for social change, as they have a tremendous psychological impact. I especially feel there are two other aspects which films can fulfill in a developing society - making individuals compassionate and acting as emotional integrators. I am sure that the film fraternity will continue to understand this responsibility in its fullest sense.

As Indians, we take pride in our democracy and our nation which comprises many languages, religions and cultures. Creative individuals like you must take upon themselves the task of being catalytic agents to help in the process of the integration of the hearts and minds of the people. Differences of opinion exist in every society and it is natural that they will be expressed, particularly in a democratic structure. However, never can violence be promoted or tolerated. The role that the film industry play in the endeavour to promote peace and reject terrorism, is the question that you must all address.

Our society faces many social challenges, some due to age old prejudices and others on account of adjusting to rapid changes taking place in the world. While our economic progress is impressive, we must also take care that social challenges faced by us are not ignored. Social malpractices cause agony in families, disruption in society and result in squandering of economic resources. Whether it is dowry, discrimination against the girl child, female feoticide, domestic violence and addiction to tobacco, drugs and alcohol - all of them must be eradicated from our society. Films can highlight the negative impact of these issues, so that the viewer is forced to think and reflect. Cinema can promote social responsibility, civic sense and healthy habits.

Women, in most cases, bear the brunt of many social evils. Their viewpoint and indeed, the question of their empowerment, are important social issues that need to be highlighted. However, this has to be done with great sensitivity and in a manner that promotes the dignity of womanhood. I remember films in which the role of a woman as a mother was so powerfully potrayed that it evoked strong respect and emotions. The master storyteller is after all, the one who weaves a powerful message into a seemingly straightforward narrative and makes the viewer introspect. Questions such as why did certain things happen, who was wrong and could things have been done differently - continue to gnaw the mind of the viewer, after watching a thought provoking movie. Therefore, maintaining a balance between entertainment and social relevance shall continue to be a challenge for the industry. While on the one hand a message without entertainment will not capture the attention of the audience and on the other hand, mere entertainment without a message would be like an oyster without a pearl. There is no simple formula for maintaining this balance, but this is your challenge.

At a time when every sector of our economy is being influenced and in most cases taking the benefits of the currents of globalisation, our film industry can utilise this opportunity too. As interest in India and its culture increases across the globe, the film industry can take advantage of its already large presence and play the role of a cultural ambassador, by showcasing incredible India and its values of humanism, tolerance and harmony.

Such values are also what have been important in the life and work of Shri Tapan Sinha - this year's Dada Saheb Phalke Award winner. He is a prolific film maker who has won acclaim not only in India but internationally for his work over the last five decades. I am particularly happy that his works have touched on issues such as atrocities against women, wayward youth, the elderly, communal amity and tribal reality. Through them, he has celebrated the individual's relentless fight against adversity. I congratulate him.

I would also like to congratulate the doyens of our film industry - Sushree Lata Mangeshkar, Shri Dilip Kumar, Smt. Saroja Devi, who all have been presented Lifetime Achievement Awards as a recognition of their contribution to Indian Cinema in commemoration of the 60th Year of our Independence. Words cannot be enough to describe what they have achieved in their lifetimes. Dilip Kumar is a film legend of our times, who is also well known for social work especially when he was the Sheriff of Mumbai. Saroja Devi, a greatly talented actress has contributed immensely to the growth of the regional film industry, and has been acclaimed for her work. Although Lataji is not present today, who can forget her rendering of " Ai Mere Watan ke logon �" which had moved the entire nation.

I would be amiss, if I do not mention young Divya Chahadkar, for the captivating performance in the Konkani film ANTARNAD.

My compliments to all the Members of the Jury for sparing their time to undertake the work of assessing the entries which came up before them.

Once again, I congratulate all the recipients of the National Film Awards and hope that this recognition will inspire them to even greater heights in the years to come.

Thank You.

Jai Hind

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