Filmmaker Shyam Benegal on Monday advocated a 24-hour TV channel dedicated to science to promote scientific temper in the country.
Announcing the 6th National Science Film Festival to be held in Mumbai for the first time, Benegal said, “A dedicated TV channel will go a long way in spreading scientific temper and rational thinking among the citizens.”
He said such a channel is the need of the hour to highlight issues on science, technology, environment, health and hygiene.
“A 24-hour science and technology TV channel will be a fitting tribute to late Narendra Dabholkar, who laid down his life in the pursuit scientific temper and creating a rational society,” said Benegal. The filmmaker is the chairperson of the jury for the National Science Film Festival organised by Nehru Science Centre and Vigyan Prasar, an autonomous body under the Union Ministry of Science and Technology.
Started in 2011 to promote science, the National Science Film Festival’s previous editions have been held in Chennai, Bhubaneshwar, Kolkata, Bangalore, and Lucknow. This is the first time Mumbaikars will be able to see the films selected by the jury headed by Benegal. The other members of the jury included Benegal’s long-time collaborator and script-writer Shama Zaidi, film editor Aseem Sinha, film historian Amrit Gangar, filmmaker Aruna Raje Patil, Dr Sabyasachi Bhattacharya of Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, environmentalist Dr Anil P Joshi, director of Jamia Milia Institute professor Iftekar Ahmad and additional director general of Prasar Bharati, Aparna Vaish.
Scheduled to be held from February 9 to 13 at the Nehru Science Centre in Worli, the festival will be free for visitors. The festival received 145 entries and 45 of them were shortlisted in four categories. “The jury was pleasantly surprised to see quality films that have been made by professionals and school students. Most films, some from remote areas of the country, touch upon the local issues of environment, livelihoods, health and local innovation,” he said.
Mr Gangar said the festival has a substantial prize purse of Rs 7.2 lakh, which should encourage more people to make films on subjects related to science. The festival is divided in four categories, including films made by institutions and organisations, those by independent filmmakers, college students and school students.
The Gold Beaver Award, worth Rs 1 lakh, will be given out in the first two categories. Professional workshops on science filmmaking will also be organized during NSFF 2016, in which renowned science filmmakers will share their experience with participants.
