'The president not only lauded our efforts in making a sensitive movie on the ragging menace but has also promised to lend her support in taking the cause forward,' said Gupta who was invited to meet Patil.
Filmmaker Manish Gupta, who recently made a Hindi film Hostel based on ragging in educational institutions in the country, has found a staunch supporter in Pratibha Patil.
“The president not only lauded our efforts in making a sensitive movie on the ragging menace but has also promised to lend her support in taking the cause forward,” said Gupta who was invited to meet Patil.
“She suggested that the real-life victims of ragging I interviewed for my movie should be given a platform to discuss their experiences,” Gupta said.
The televised interviews of the victims will be screened on national channels including Doordarshan and Doordarshan Metro as part of public awareness messages from the government.
“The president believes that this endeavour may help in creating awareness and sensitivity towards the issue of ragging, which is usually shown in a light and irreverent manner in popular mainstream cinema,” he said. On her part, Patil said that she wanted to promote the government’s anti-ragging helpline (1800 180 5522),.
“The president promised that she will work towards implementing my suggestions and send circulars to educational institutions recommending the viewing of Hostel,” he claimed.
Meanwhile, Archana Datta, officer on special duty (public relations) at the Rashtrapati Bhavan confirmed in an email that the president’s office was keen on helping Gupta by “trying to espouse the cause of rooting out the menace of ragging under the direction of the honourable president”.
Gupta’s meeting with Patil materialised after he wrote to her a few months back, detailing the contents of his film and the problem in India.
“I feel strongly about the issue. So it’s not just about making the film; I want to take the cause forward,” said Gupta who feels that now his aim in making the film has finally been successful. “Getting support from the president for a cause such as this is very heartening,” he added.
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