Give wings to your dreams, Kashmir CM tells students

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mufti Muhammad Sayeed on Friday asked mass communication students from his state to give wings to their dreams.

Interacting with a group of 12 postgraduate students of Media Education Research Centre (MERC) of the University of Kashmir, Sayeed told them to take inspiration from Bollywood filmmaker Vidhu Vinod Chopra, who belongs to Kashmir.

The MERC students have been invited to Mumbai for the 17th MAMI Film Festival.

"Vinod is our proud son whose films have always made a statement and left an indelible mark on the filmgoers," he said.

The chief minister said he was determined to promote art and culture in Jammu and Kashmir in a big way.

"We are activating the Jammu and Kashmir Academy of Art, Culture and Languages by organising various functions at the state level."

He said he had also announced the setting up of a School of Sufiyana and Folk Music.

During his Mumbai visit, the chief minister met several business tycoons.

Vidhu Vinod Chopra said he will request the executive committee of the MAMI Film Festival to include a slot for short films from Kashmir in its next edition so that youngsters from the valley can show their talent.

The Kashmiri students also attended a dinner hosted by Reliance Industries Ltd's Mukesh Ambani, where they interacted with directors like Shyam Benegal, Anurag Kashyap and Vishal Bhardwaj.