Par panel discusses promoting India's soft power through films

Projecting India as a soft power through films would promote the country's diversity to the world through the medium of cinema, Union Minister Arun Jaitley today said.
At a parliamentary panel meeting today, Information and Broadcasting minister Jaitley led the discussions on the efforts being made to project India's ability and standing as a soft power through films.
The meeting of the Consultative Committee of the ministry discussed the issue of 'India as a soft power -As a Filming Destination'.
Jaitley said the topic for the concept would not only facilitate the contours of growth of the Film Industry, it would also promote the diversity of India to the world through the medium of Films and Cinema, a press release issued here said.

This initiative and proactive stance would boost the inflow of tourism in India from other countries, he added while emphasising that to promote India as a soft power, all efforts need to be taken to give the concept a strong 'Brand Push'.
The branding could be undertaken by creating and promoting a capsule that incorporates the key features of India's professional ability like skills, human resources, diverse locales, support from institutional structures, he said.

This capsule needed to be showcased at all major international film festivals, Jaitley said while adding that there is a need to simplify procedures as well.

A presentation was made on behalf of the I&B Ministry giving an overview of the steps and initiatives undertaken so far to promote India as a soft power.
Members who attended the meeting were, Dr Jayakumar Jyavardhan, Tapas Paul, V Sathyabama, Harivansh, K Keshava Rao, M P Achuthan, Madhusudan Mistry, P Rajeeve, Pawan Kumar Varma and Vivek Gupta, the release said.
MoS Rajyavardhan Rathore and I&B secretary Bimal Julka were also present.