The Hindu : U.K. Minister keen to encourage creative talent

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Mar 11, 2003

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U.K. Minister keen to encourage creative talent

By Our Staff Reporter

NEW DELHI MARCH 10. Instead of the Swiss Alps, Indian film-makers have a list of "new'' locations to explore now. In an attempt to create stronger celluloid ties, the British Cabinet Minister for Culture, Media and Sport, Tessa Jowell, said here today that she was keen to develop partnerships that would encourage talent to work together.

Presently in the Capital, the Minister will be meeting leading personalities in the creative fields in Mumbai. "A British delegation from the Films Council will be visiting over the week-end. We will focus on marketing locations -- both studio-based and non-studio based, technical know-how, skills and expertise,'' she said.

The Minister met the Union Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting, Ravi Shankar Prasad, earlier in the day to discuss issues of mutual concern. "Piracy and counterfeit tapes are bane for the industry and result in huge losses for both the film industries. This is a global problem and we need to find solutions,'' she added.

``There is a tremendous market for British films or British-financed films made in India in the U.K. Films like "Monsoon Wedding'' and "Bend it Like Beckham'' did very well. "The Warrior'' won the best foreign film in the recent British Academy Film and Television Awards,'' she added.

Besides concentrating on just the celluloid connection, the Minister also held talks with the Union Minister for Tourism and Culture, Jagmohan.

``We are hoping to make it easier for Indians visiting the U.K and vice versa to travel. May be even have more flights between the two countries. The development of heritage sites is another area where we will extend our full support. These sites can be developed to their full potential so that they are more than just about monuments,'' remarked Ms Jowell.

The Minister promised to extend full support for the Indian Government's ambitious plan to create a first-of-its-kind data-base for Indian manuscripts both in India and abroad.

On discovery of India, the British Museum is planning a big exhibition of the development of Indian culture focussing on the Indus Valley civilisation. In its initial stages of planning, this exhibition is scheduled to open in 2005. ''I talked to the Union Minister for Tourism and Culture who offered his full cooperation for the project. We are looking at options to maybe take some exhibits from India on loan,'' she said.

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