SPEECH BY HER EXCELLENCY THE PRESIDENT OF INDIA, SHRIMATI PRATIBHA DEVISINGH PATIL AT THE PRESENTATION OF THE 58th NATIONAL FILM AWARDS INCLUDING DADA SAHEB PHALKE AWARD 2010

New Delhi, 9th September 2011

Ladies and Gentlemen,

It gives me pleasure to be here today, at the presentation ceremony of the National Film Awards. This is an occasion which is eagerly awaited every year by the Indian film industry and others, as the best talent, in as many as 36 categories, is honoured for its creative excellence. It is also a time when new and upcoming names receive encouragement and, as a result, become more widely known to film enthusiasts. This Awards Function is also a time when we salute a great personality of the silver screen, the Late Shri Dada Saheb Phalke, for his contributions to the film industry, through an award in his name presented for lifetime contribution. I congratulate Shri K. Balachander, the recipient of this year's Dada Saheb Phalke Award, as well as all other award winners.

It can be said now, that in the 21st Century, Indian cinema has become a global enterprise. Rapidly improving technology has helped the industry upgrade itself, as also to radically alter the manner in which cinema reaches the audience. I am proud that Indian cinema has found a market in a large number of countries. This is an example of how India's soft power is engaged in projecting the nation worldwide. We have a rich and varied cultural heritage, which provides a very significant base for telling the world the myriad stories of India - a nation whose history goes back many millennia, a nation that occupies an important place in the contemporary world, and a nation whose future holds great promise.

I understand that a record breaking number of entries were received in both the feature and non-feature film sections. This trend is encouraging. I hope that in future, there would be more entries in the best film critic section as well, since film appreciation or healthy criticism, is a very important aspect in the growth, understanding and development of cinema as an art form. This year, regional cinema seems to have taken a good share of the awards, and a large number of films have been made by new directors. This is also an encouraging trend.

As many may have noted, this year six couples have received various Awards. This draws attention to how spouses can work together professionally, and jointly achieve success. I have always said that it is essential for men and women to work together, as they are two wheels of the same chariot. The chariot can travel a long distance, if both wheels move in harmony.

While team work is important in film making, facilities are also no less crucial for film production. I am happy that these have been improving, and compare with some of the best in the world. Today, the Indian film market has become more attractive for foreign film houses. At the same time, prominent Indian enterprises are also participating in producing and distributing films around the world.

I am informed that "Adaminte Makan Abu", the winner of the Best Feature Film Award is a film shot digitally. This is an encouraging development, considering that entry of films in the digital format was introduced only last year. This award winning film portrays Islam in its true light, by strongly conveying the message of oneness of all living beings. I would like to reiterate that cinema is a very powerful medium for conveying messages. The number of cine goers and film viewers is very large in our country. 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 a tolerant and harmonious society. The youth are deeply influenced by what they see in movies. Issues such as ragging many a times results in a negative impact on the student's personality and, sometimes, there are extreme consequences. There is need to build sentiment that discourages ragging, as indeed, is building a frame of mind where social evils are rejected. It is important that the entertainment sector includes value based ideals and points of view, which can motivate viewers to aspire for higher and nobler goals in their lives. It is necessary for promoting constructive and value based thinking for a culturally rich country like ours.

I hope that the awards received by the 5 young artistes today, will further inspire and motivate them to give the greatest possible expression to their talent. This in turn could inspire the younger generation to devote their time and effort to work for building a better society. The best writing in cinema had gone to Ms. Vijay Mulay, who at her 90 years, has demonstrated that creativity knows no barrier of age, and that the human spirit is ever striving for excellence.

The world is changing, and more so the techniques and aesthetics of cinema. However, even in the midst of change, there are personalities who constantly remind that talent remains of prime importance. Their works carry in them, the essence of eternality and are appreciated across generations. Shri K. Balachander, the winner of this year's Dada Saheb Phalke Award, is one such filmmaker of distinction. The more than 100 films for which he has written, directed and produced over a period of five decades, bring out the importance of these three aspects of filmmaking, more so in an era of a star-driven films. Shri Balachander has made mainstream films with an artistic sensibility and has touched social, political and middle class issues. He has made films in not one language, but in many - Tamil, Kannada, Telugu and Hindi. He has also been a mentor to many actors and technicians, many of whom have made a mark in Indian cinema. I once again congratulate him for receiving the Dada Saheb Phalke Award today.

Finally, I would like to convey my compliments to all the Members of the Jury, for their enormous efforts in assessing the entries which came to them. I also take this opportunity to once again congratulate each one of the award winners, and wish them continued success in their pursuit of excellence. I am confident that your creativity will touch new heights in the years ahead, and that you would strive to provide good and value based entertainment.

Thank you.

JAI HIND!