Grand Success of
Second Edition of Gandhi Panorama
Indian Infotainment Media Corporation successfully organized a two day International Festival of Films on Gandhiji and his Principles at Ravindra Bhavan, Bhopal, MP on 2nd & 3rd October 09. More than 21 documentaries and short feature films from 11 countries were screened to an audience that left the venue deeply inspired by Gandhism and its eternal relevance. The participating countries were Spain, Israel, India, USA, Switzerland, Germany, Canada, UK, Italy, France and Macedonia.
Festival was inaugurated by veteran freedom fighter Hon’ble Governor Rameshwar Thakur including Minister for culture Laxmikant Sharma and Culture secretary Manoj Shrivastava. Governor paid floral tributes to the portrait of Mahatma Gandhi.
He while inaugurating Gandhi Panorama, said that films are a powerful means to tell public about the philosophy of Mahatma Gandhi. New generation must be apprised about philosophy of Mahatma Gandhi to understand the value of independence. He said that he is very much impressed by the personality of Gandhiji and on his appeal he took part in Quit India Movement in 1942. He also hoped that the film festival would succeed in young generation know about the life and philosophy of Gandhiji. He also viewed films based on Gandhian philosophy.
Minister for culture Laxmikant Sharma who presided over the function appealed to parents to link their wards with Gandhian philosophy. Culture secretary Manoj Shrivastava welcomed the guests.
Devendra Khandelwal, Chairman, Organizing Committee provided information about collection of films based on Gandhian philosophy. He said that they had invited films related to Bapu from all over the globe. “We received hundreds of films and it took two years for our entire team to select the best ones. Not even the government had thought of such an initiative to promote Gandhi’s philosophy. He further said that Gandhi Panorama will bring to life Mahatma as he lived his life, the challenges he faced, the hardships he endured and his amazing wisdom in crisis. Above all, Gandhi Panorama would focus on the strength and power of compassion to solve life’s toughest problems. “We would try to reach out to the man who changed the definition of freedom and success forever, with his honesty, compassion and understanding,” he said. “Because somewhere in every person’s heart, there lives a stubborn Gandhi who might have been shot by a bullet but refuses to die.”
Most films were about people, who through their acts of humanity, ultimately paid homage to values and beliefs that Gandhiji preached – ahimsa, simplicity, sincerity and honesty. The films also touched on some of Gandhiji’s achievements, his followers and his aspirations for his fellow Indians.
The inaugural film “A Road to Gandhi” was based on long interviews with Late Herbert Fischer who actually met Gandhiji and spent many years in India. While Nelson Mandela and Martin Luther King take up all the mind space when it comes to International Gandhians, the German Mr. Fischer gets very little mention in the media.
Some of the other films that found favour with the audience present were “Flowers of Rwanda”(Spain), “Angels in the Dust”(USA), “The Water Bearer”(Canada) and “Forbidden Tibet”(France).
The audience included leading Gandhians from across the country, scholars, people from Bhopal besides media persons from places across MP.
There was no entry fee for films or film-viewers, so that everyone could celebrate the spirit of Gandhiji to the fullest