Cinema and theater are mirrors of society. Youths with creative minds are choosing this unique profession through proper training in keeping with the times, said Tripura Chief Minister, Prof. Dr. Manik Saha while attending the convocation and distribution of course completion certificates to the first batch of students at the Tripura Film and Television Institute (TFTI) in Agartala today (June 7).
The Chief Minister said, “Though there was a lack of training facilities in Tripura in the past, now talented students of the state are being trained at the Tripura Film and Television Institute under the State Department of Information and Culture”.
He reminisced about the absence of Film Institutes during the era of legendary actors like Dilip Kumar and Raj Kumar, adding that it was later that the Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute (SRFTI) was established in West Bengal to honor the renowned director, Satyajit Ray.
Dr. Saha acknowledged the abundance of talented youths in Tripura and recognized the lack of platforms available to them to showcase their skills.
In response, the state government, after assuming power in 2018, took the initiative to establish a similar institute within Tripura.
The Chief Minister emphasized that it is the government’s responsibility to provide the necessary platform to talented individuals.
Furthermore, Dr Saha urged people to explore and appreciate the rich traditions and cultures of the different tribes residing in the state.
He highlighted the unique and diverse art, culture, and traditions of the 19 tribes in Tripura, expressing his desire for wider recognition and awareness of this cultural heritage.
Sharing a personal anecdote from his own college days, Dr. Saha recounted his participation in a play that earned him the first position. He expressed confidence in the youth of Tripura, saying that they are already making a name for themselves across various domains.
The Chief Minister revealed that short-term certificate courses are currently being implemented, and plans are underway to introduce diploma and degree programs at the institute.
Dr. Saha also outlined his vision of transforming the Tripura Film and Television Institute (TFTI) into a comprehensive and visually appealing institution.
The convocation ceremony was attended by Dr. PK Chakraborty, Secretary of ICA (Information and Cultural Affairs), Bimbisar Bhattacharya, Director of ICA, and Himansu Sekhar Khatua, Director of SRFTI, Kolkata.
The Tripura Film and Television Institute was inaugurated on November 28, 2022 and the Institute will help in nurturing the talents of the state’s youth and providing them with opportunities to excel in the world of film and television.