Panaji: The 6th edition of Science Film Festival of India 2021 concluded on Thursday, March 18, 2021. The valedictory function was held at INOX, Panaji and comprised of eminent personalities namely, Dr. Tariq Thomas, IAS, CEO, Entertainment Society of Goa, Dr. B.K.Mishra, Director, IIT Goa, Dr. Arvind Ranade, Scientist F, Vigyan Prasar, Mr. Jayant Sahasrabuddhe, National Organising Secretary, Vijnana Bharati and Mr. Suhas Godse, President, Vidnyan Parishad, Goa.
This year the festival was curated on 17th and 18th March, 2021 and included various programmes such as screening of four Science Feature films, Innovation Exhibition, workshop for teachers as well as a master class on Science Film Making with an aim to propagate the concepts of Science among the student community.
Speaking at the function, Chief Guest, Dr. Tariq Thomas, IAS, CEO, Entertainment Society of Goa, emphasized on the importance of films wherein he stated, “Every generation has movies which inspired them. Films have a power to inspire our imagination and to create an impact. Films have a huge potential and is a tool we will have to leverage. Through the medium of films, an entire generation can be inspired which is a great endeavor.” He also added the correlation that exists between science and films wherein he mentioned, “Science is beautiful and has the potential to inspire. Science has a huge impact on life and is the tool to help you dream. I want to congratulate all of you for making this festival possible and would like to say that you need to keep dreaming, keep thinking and inspire more minds.”
The attendees at the function also witnessed the annual report of SCI-FFI 2021 in an audio-visual format which showed the various activities conducted by the festival committee. Commenting upon this, Dr. B. K. Mishra, Director, IIT Goa said, “I would like to congratulate the organizers since they have put in a lot of efforts for this festival to happen. The students too have taken a keen interest and have displayed their sincerity. Goa is now an academic landscape with the presence of prestigious institutions and next year, I hope that we will have a plethora of more exciting events.”
A report on the Innovation Exhibition was also presented wherein it was mentioned that a total of 30 exhibits from various institutes had participated.
Followed by this, the Vidyarthi Vigyan Manthan awards were given away to state level rankers of 6th to 11th std.
Upon this, Dr. Arvind Ranade, Scientist F, Vigyan Prasar congratulated the winners as well as the participants and stated, “This festival is a unique and one of its own kinds. This festival is very much of an importance and I can see the journey of SCI-FFI towards becoming a flag mark. The festival has a lot of potential and has maintained its uniqueness and I feel very proud to be a part of the same.”
Vidnyan Parishad, Goa is Swadeshi Science Movement that derives inspiration through its parent body Vijnana Bharati and strives on reaching out to the masses. “The aim of the festival is to make people aware about Science. As our Honourable Prime Minister has asked us to become Aatmanirbhar (self-reliance), it is necessary that we need to have Aatma Vishwas (self-confidence). In the field of Science, it is necessary to inculcate self-confidence in the youth to become self-reliant. This can be achieved through introducing the journey of Indian Science to the young generation which will showcase the development of Science in our country. Hence, your participation and contribution is a must to take such programmes to new heights,” says Jayant Sahasrabuddhe, National Organising Secretary, Vijnana Bharati.
The welcoming of the dignitaries was done by Suhas Godse, President, Vidnyan Parishad, Goa wherein he mentioned, “Although we are in looming shadows of COVID-19, the enthusiasm has not come down. SCI-FFI is to inspire Science through films by inculcating concepts of Science in day to day life. Our attempt in Goa is to make this festival for the students to get an interest in the careers related to Science”.
The festival also strived to achieve its aim as to celebrate the collaboration between Science and Cinema and to open up the minds of the participants to the world of Cinema which they have achieved.
