MAIDEN INDIAN FILM FESTIVAL OPENS IN ACCRA

The High Commission of India, Accra in partnership with Silverbird Cinemas and Global Media Alliance on Friday inaugurated a five day complimentary screening of Indian films dubbed – ‘The Festival of Indian Films’, which started from the 2nd of October 2009 – 6th of October 2009.

The auspicious ceremony in commemoration of 140th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi was also convened to observe and highlight the internationally celebrated World Non-Violence Day.

The weeklong celebration of Indian culture and colours, through the medium of Bollywood Cinema was graced and inaugurated by chief guest His Excellency the Vice President of Ghana, John Dramani Mahama, who was received by beautiful bouquets of flowers.

The Vice President along with the High Commissioner of India to Ghana, Her Excellency Mrs. Ruchi Ghanshyam and Mr. Edward Boateng, Chairman, Silverbird Africa officially opened the event by lighting a lamp in the Silverbird auditorium. Lighting the lamp is the Indian tradition that symbolizes the eradication of darkness and ignorance through the light of knowledge and goodness. Later, HE Mrs. Ruchi Ghanshyam welcomed the guests, and thanked the wishful sponsors present at the event. Some of the big wigs included Mr. V. Sreedharan, MD, Bank of Baroda Ghana Ltd., Mr. Vivek Saraswat, Country Manager, Tata Africa Holdings Ghana Ltd. Mr. Bhagwan Khubchandani, Chairman, Melcom Group and Mr. Ashok Mohinani, Chairman, Poly Group.

HE John Mahama, later addressed the audience with a keynote saying that the festival is a truly symbolic one because it also marks the centenary anniversary of Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, who also believed in Mahatma Gandhi’s principles and practice of non-violence. He also expressed his joy for the growing number of Indian businesses in Ghana by saying that India and Ghana relationship has always been solid. These warm words were followed by screening the eight (8) Oscar winning autobiographical film, ‘Gandhi’.

Mahatma Gandhi was an Indian Advocate who later fought to win independence from the British Raj through non-violence. He was not the commander of armies, nor the ruler of vast lands. He could not boast any scientific achievement or artistic gift. Yet men, governments, dignitaries from all over the world, have joined hands today to pay homage to “the little brown man in the loin cloth”, who led his country to freedom.

At the plush Silverbird cinemas, the event attracted several dignitaries including Minister for Women & Children Affairs, Akua Sena Dansua, Dy. Minister of Education, Dr. Joseph Annan, Daughter of Dr. Kwame Nkrumah and member of parliament, Samia Nrkumah and Prof. Atokwei Okai, Poet & Writer, President of Pan African Writers association. The gorgeous Ghanaian actress Jackie Appiah came in dressed like an Indian princess on a Horse Carriage. She was received by a great gusto of fans along with a carnival of Indian and African dancers rejoicing to the beats of both countries.

Indian movies have had and continue to enjoy a huge success all over the world for their beautiful productions. The quality that goes into the production work coupled with interesting themes and excellent cast can undoubtedly be matched with, if not rated above Hollywood productions.

The Festival of India Films hopes to highlight the Indian presence in Ghana and to showcase the Indian society and culture to the people of Ghana.

During this week, Silverbird Cinemas will have two complimentary screenings of Indian films; ranging from old films to some of the most popular Bollywood films yet.

Cinema and culture go hand in hand and movies are the core of cinematic productions and success. Indian movies have excelled when it comes to providing good movies for the screens and a lot of cinemas are still in flourishing businesses because of Indian movies which remain the delight of many cinema goers.

Interacting with guests, Mr. Edward Boateng, Executive Chairman of Global Media Alliance and Chairman Silverbird Africa says he is very delighted about the excitement with which the public have welcomed the festival. “I am amazed at the huge success of this evening. The caliber and number of people who thronged in just to witness the opening of the festival is so refreshing and goes to emphasize the fact that Ghanaians love Indian movies”.

Indian movies are not only great when it comes to viewership and following, they have also greatly impacted local movie productions, here in Ghana. It is not uncommon to see a lot of Ghanaian movies modeled after Indian ones.

This festival is to become an annual event where each year the Indian community in Ghana will gather to celebrate and fraternize with each other while also fortifying and building new relationships with Ghanaians.

Thus the opening of the five-day celebration on Friday, October 2, couldn’t have been more appropriate to Indians who used the occasion to honour a great son and Ghanaians who took the opportunity to celebrate the birth centenary of Dr. Kwame Nkrumah and to learn about another great hero, Mahatma Gandhi. This event could probably be yet another great way of welcoming Ghana’s multi-cultural acceptance and unity in diversity.

The event was organized in kind courtesy of: Tata Africa Holdings, Ghana, PHC Motors, Melcom, Bank of Baroda, IPMC, NIIT, Somotex Ghana Ltd., M&G Pharmaceuticals Ltd., Param Farms & Kohinoor Restaurant, Essar Signages, Happy 98.9 FM, Y 107.7 FM, e.tvghana.