BOOK ON INDIAN CINEMA RELEASED BY SHRI PRAMOD MAHAJAN

    The Union Minister for Information & Broadcasting Shri Pramod Mahajan said that the Foreign investment in Indian film
sector is welcome. The policy regarding the quantum of foreign investment which should be allowed in this sector is presently
being considered by the Government. Foreign investment will not only bring more money to the film sector but will also help in
upgrading technology and further modernisation, further said Shri Mahajan while releasing a book "Indian Cinema: A Visual
Voyage" here yesterday evening.

    Speaking on the occasion, the Minister said that the book is a pictorial documentation of mile stones that Indian cinema has
covered in the last 100 years. The richness and variety of films in Indian languages and their evolution from black and white to
colour along with changing themes and their treatment are very well depicted in the book which is conceived by National Film
Development Corporation and published by Publications Division.

    Speaking on the occasion, Shri Mahajan said that Hollywood film industry is the second largest foreign exchange earner for
USA. Similarly Indian cinema should not only be a means of entertainment but also an important source of foreign exchange
earnings for the country. For attaining the same it is essential that Indian Film Industry apart from being quality conscious should
also educate itself on the needs of commercialisation.

    Addressing those present, the Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting, Shri Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said that at a
time when religious, national, regional and linguistic differences are unleashing fissiparous foces in our society, Indian films can
cross all these barriers and distinctions and help in forging an emotional unity and cultural integration. Present on the occasion
was also Shri P.G. Mankad, Secretary, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting apart from other senior officials.