The Impressive TimesNew Delhi : Chanchal Kumar, Secretary of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, on Saturday visited key media and film institutions in Pune, including the Film and Television Institute of India, National Film Development Corporation–National Film Archive of India (NFDC–NFAI), and the Doordarshan Centre. The visit marked his first official tour of these institutions since assuming office on April 1, 2026.
At FTII, the Secretary undertook a comprehensive review of academic and infrastructure facilities. He was received by Vice Chancellor Dhiraj Singh and NFDC Managing Director Prakash Magdum. During his campus tour, he visited the new theatre complex, camera store, library, academic departments, and studios, where faculty members briefed him on the institute’s advanced equipment and training ecosystem.
Highlighting the growing importance of film and digital media education, Kumar emphasised the role of such institutions in showcasing India’s rich cultural heritage across diverse platforms. He noted that the media and entertainment sector is emerging as a key contributor to the national economy and called upon institutes like FTII to foster innovation, creativity, and skill development among students.
He also underlined the need to encourage entrepreneurship in the film and media sector, urging young talent to go beyond content creation and explore opportunities in production, distribution, and digital storytelling.
The visit assumes added significance as FTII has recently transitioned into a university, aiming to expand its academic offerings and align itself with the evolving demands of the media landscape.
Later, the Secretary visited the NFDC–NFAI campuses, where he reviewed facilities including the projection room, theatre, vaults, and library. He also toured the Phase-II facility, where digitisation work is underway under the National Film Heritage Mission.
At the Doordarshan Centre, Pune, Kumar assessed programme production capabilities and interacted with officials on content creation and audience outreach, reaffirming the importance of public broadcasting in the digital age.
The visit reflects the government’s continued focus on strengthening media institutions, preserving cinematic heritage, and equipping the next generation with the skills required to drive India’s creative economy forward.
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