By Bhupen Goswami (PNI)

Guwahati: Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal today inaugurated the First Guwahati International Children Film Festival which is organised by Jyoti Chitraban in association with Dr Bhupen Hazarika Regional Government Film and Television Institute at Srimanta Sankardev Kalakshetra from 19 th to 21 st January, 2019. The film festival will screen a total of 50 children films from 23 countries and it will also have special screening of Santosh Shivan’s noted film ‘Hello’. Arrangements have also been made for screening of the festival through satellite at Dhubri, Charaideo, Silchar, Sadiya, Bongaigaon and Dhemaji. Saying that the children film festival held for the first time in the state will inspire the young generation to make meaningful contribution to the society by becoming able citizens, Sonowal urged the children to utilise the knowledge acquired from the films in shaping their lives. Calling on the teachers and parents to create awareness among the children about right use of mobile phones and internet, the chief minister also highlighted the need to play sports and engage in physical activity for good health. Referring to the examples of Hima Das bringing laurels to the state in sports arena and Rima Das’s film Village Rockstars getting nominated for Oscars from India, chief minister Sonowal urged the young people of the state to draw inspiration from these success stories to achieve excellence in different fields. Speaking on the occasion Media Adviser to the Chief Minister Hrishikesh Goswami said that these kinds of film festivals would facilitate an enabling environment for the children to realise their potentials. A movie or a song can become the tool for a positive societal change and all must be committed to shape children’s lives with positivity and optimism, he said. Chairman of Jyoti Chitraban Pabitra Margherita gave the welcome address while the Director of the festival Manita Borgohain explained the details of the event. Child artiste Tathastu, who starred in the film ‘Halka’ that opened the festival, also shared his experiences and spoke about his visit to Assam. Chairman of Assam State Film (Finance and Development) Corporation Ltd Jatin Bora, Commissioner and Secretary of Cultural Affairs Department Pritom Saikia, noted filmmaker Santwana Bordoloi, child actor Bhanita Das of Village Rockstars fame were also present on the occasion among others.