The Hindu : National : IFFI shall continue: Digambar Kamat

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IFFI shall continue: Digambar Kamat

Ziya Us Salam

PANAJI: The International Film Festival of India shall continue. This was announced here on Friday by Goa Chief Minister Digambar Kamat in the wake of the Mumbai hostage crisis and the passing away of the former Prime Minister, V.P. Singh. However, all the festivities, including daily music concerts and dance programmes have been cancelled. The film shows continue as usual along with film introductions.

The Goa Entertainment Society’s governing council held an emergency meeting to take stock of the situation. Condemning the Mumbai attack and offering his sympathies for the victims, Mr. Kamat said, “All the cultural programmes have been cancelled and all peripheral activities to coincide with the IFFI have also been ruled out. This is directly connected with the pride of the nation. Other things are secondary.”

Reception cancelled

Accordingly, the reception to be given by the Governor stands cancelled as is the dinner by the Chief Minister. The State is also observing a seven-day mourning to pay its respects to the late Prime Minister.

Meanwhile, a pall of gloom descended on the festival.

As many foreign and national film personalities kept away and the news of actor Ashish Choudhary losing his sister and brother-in-law in the Mumbai hostage crisis came in, delegates and participants at the IFFI kept a low profile.

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