Move on Satyajit Ray Institute lauded

Kolkata, July 10 (IANS) Welcoming the central government's decision to accord Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute (SRFTI) here the status of institute of national importance, its director Thursday said the move would open up new vistas in education of aspirants as well as boost international collaborations.

FTII Pune and SRFTI Kolkata, the two premium film institutes in the country, would be accorded the status of institutes of national importance, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said in his budget speech Thursday.

"It is good to know that SRFTI is being considered important on a national scale. It will open up new avenues for education in the cinema and television. We have collaborative projects but this status will provide a boost to further partnerships globally," SRFTI director Sanjaya Pattanayak told IANS.

Veteran actor Soumitra Chatterjee also lauded the decision.

"Extremely happy... it is a matter of pride," Chatterjee told IANS, adding education in filmmaking is important.