The airport witnessed 1,611 cases followed by Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGI) with 1,359 cases, according to a survey by the Zee Research Group. Chennai, Amritsar and Kolkata are next with 624, 190 and 96 cases respectively.

Statistics collected from the home ministry show that the number of fake passport and visa-related forgery cases has increased by 13.8% between 2008 and 2010. The figure was 1,246 in 2008; 1,292 in 2009 and 1,419 in 2010.What has left officials worried is that the Mumbai airport also tops the list in terms of visa and passport-related cheating by foreigners (557). Delhi is second with 285 cases. It is followed by Chennai (120), Kolkata (26) and Amritsar (21).“We see at least five forgery cases of visas and fake passports every week at the international airport. Since Mumbai is the financial capital, people come here on fake visas,” said a senior police officer from the Foreigner Regional Registration Office (FRRO). “A lot of foreigners come to Mumbai on tourist visas and then settle here to earn money.”

Delhi’s IGI tops the list as far as forgery cases done by Indians are concerned. With 1,074 cases in three years, it is just ahead of Mumbai (1,054 cases). Chennai ranks third with 504 cases while Amritsar and Kolkata are next with 169 and 76 cases respectively.FRRO officials attribute the rise in the number of cheating cases to an increase in the number of passengers using the Mumbai airport.“Around 38,000 passengers use the Mumbai international airport every day. The most number of cheating cases are recorded at night as foreign flights arrive then and the traffic is high,” the officer said. “There has been an increase in the number of airlines, too, and that has also contributed to the rising number of passengers.”

Stating that people have become smart, the officer said it becomes difficult to nab offenders.“People travel with chemical copies of visas and passports which look like originals. Our officers are doing a good job, but it gets difficult for new recruits to catch offenders due to the quality of forged documents,” the officer said.

Airport officials said most Indians involved in cheating cases are those returning from Dubai and other Gulf countries.“The maximum number of cheating cases were of Indians whose passports were taken by their employers in Gulf countries. People who want to return to India then create passports with different personal details,” the officer said.

While they go scot-free in Mumbai at times, it is difficult for them to get away in Dubai because of the Iris scan.

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The tourism ministry has also been asked to formulate an approach on paper so that the minister may take up these issues with the Prime Minister and the Union Cabinet.Among others at the meeting, Vishal Bharadwaj, Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra, Dibakar Bannerjee, Zoya Akhtar, Anurag Kashyap, Farah Khan, Raj Kumar Hirani and several international directors represented the film fraternity.”Cinema plays an important role in promoting tourism worldwide. The most recent example is the sudden desire among Indian travelers to travel to Spain after seeing the film ‘Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara’,” said Sahay.”We can replicate this in India by focusing tourism among international film directors to promote India as a preferred choice of destination for filming.”

‘Don’, the Shahrukh Khan starrer was given monetary compensation in Germany while Zoya Akhtar’s ‘Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara’ was compensated by about Rs 2 crore by way of payment for TV spots. Many countries refund the VAT while Canada gives tax credits to film production companies. These and other issues came up during the meeting.

The ministry will also examine in detail issues relating to visas, facilitating site visits, tax reimbursement, etc.

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PANJIM:

The figures given by Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting, Dr S Jagathrakshakan, in a written reply to a question of MP Shantaram Naik, State Government spent approximately Rs 80 crore as against the revenue of Rs 10 crore received by it during the said seven festivals, costing the state dearly.

Giving details, the Minister said that in 2004 revenue earned was Rs 22.27, while expenditure was Rs 541.59 lakh. In 2005, it was Rs 27.25 lakh against Rs 910.82 lakh expenditure. In 2006, the revenue was Rs 252.44 lakh as against Rs 1348.74 expenditure. In 2007, the revenue and expenditure was Rs 95.12 lakh and Rs 932.74 respectively. In 2008, it was Rs 107.97 lakh and Rs 1199.89 respectively, while in 2009, Rs 73.85 lakh was the revenue earned as against Rs 639.65 lakh spent. In 2010, Rs 111.19 lakh and Rs 968.11 lakh were the revenue and expenditure respectively and in 2011, till 24th November 2011, revenue was Rs 3.00 lakh against the expenditure of Rs 287.81 lakh.

Further, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting spent around Rs 14 crore under its Plan Scheme for the seven festivals, according to the figures given by the minister and forwarded by MP Shantaram Naik via email.

TOURISM: Union Minister of State for Tourism, Sultan Ahmed informed Shantaram Naik that during 11th Five Year Plan, Union Ministry of Tourism has sanctioned a total of Rs 77 crore for Goa under various schemes.

Clarifying further Minister said that in 2008-09, for Integrated Development of Infrastructure for Heritage Tourism in Goa as a Mega Project, a sum of Rs 43 crore has been sanctioned.

In 2009-10, for Central Institute of Hotel Management, Goa, Rs 12 crore and in 2010-11 for Tourism Infrastructure Development for Colva Coastal Circuit, South Goa Rs 7.58 crore, were sanctioned, the minister said.

In 2009-10 for Destination Development of Auditorium and Convention Centre in Bal Bhavan Complex, Campal, Panjim Rs 5 crore and in 2010-11 for development of Goa Haat at Panjim, Rs 5 crore were sanctioned.

Minister further stated that in 2011-12 for Baga Beach Tourism Destination Development in Goa, Ministry has sanctioned Rs 4.98, and previously, in 2010-11 for International Trade Mart at Goa Rs 20 lakh and Celebration of Shigmo Festival during 2007-08, Rs 5 lakh were sanctioned.

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PANJIM:

Filho was participating at an Open Forum when he suffered a heart attack. He was immediately rushed to Goa Medical College and Hospital where he breathed his last.Filho, the director of biggest production house “Atlantica Cinematographical” in Brazil, was here with his film – Mario Filho: The Creator of Crowds, as part of soccer package.

A film maker and journalist from Rio de Janeiro, Filho’s other notable films include “Bye Bye Romario”, Pele, “O Papa da Bola”.IFFI organisers have condoled the death of one of the important delegates of the festival.“It is most unfortunate that we lost one of the most important delegates during the film festival. We condole his death,” Goa Chief Minister Digambar Kamat told reporters here.

According to eyewitnesses here, Filho was taking part in the Open Forum in the Panjim venue collapsed in the middle of a discussion with delegates and filmmakers and was rushed to hospital where he passed away.A minute’s silence was observed in the Media Centre and homage paid as a mark of respect to the late Mr Filho.

Only yesterday, Mr Filho had addressed a lively media meet where he’s talked about his film and football. His film was being shown at a special package titled “Soccer and Cinema” at the 42nd IFFI in football crazy Goa.

Panjim police have registered a case of unnatural death.

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PANAJI

The director of IFFI secretariat, Mr Shankar Mohan and the CEO of the ESG, Mr Manoj Srivastava, who introduced around dozen prominent sponsors of the 11-day event to the media said that around ` 2 crore would be raised through barter terms as well as cash from these sponsors, while the Union Ministry of Tourism, which is the principal sponsor of the IFFI 2011 will significantly contribute a cash component of ` 2.7 crore.

Stating that the sponsors, in reality are the partners of the mega film festival, Mr Srivastava said that this partnership is sustainable as well as mutually beneficial, helping both sides to grow together, besides helping in the development of the festival.

Mr Mohan, on the other hand said that sponsorship is a global phenomenon, a model well accepted internationally, and fund does not form the focus of sponsorship, as it is a joint effort to ensure that there is a public private partnership in the event.

The sponsors of the IFFI 2011 include UB Group, Nestle, 92.7 Big FM, Lalit Golf and Spa Resort, Goa, Qatar Airways, Salgaocar Sanchar, Hindustan Petroleum, State Bank of India, HDFC Bank, BSNL and Bank of Maharashtra, besides technical giants like Dolby, Barco and Real Image.

Mr Mohan said that the sponsors, especially the technical people will not only help the IFFI 2011 financially, but also provide technical knowledge, manpower and equipment, which otherwise would have cost a fortune to the organisers of the mega film event, as this film festival is technology oriented with screening of the 3-D films as well as animation movies. He also informed that All India Radio and Doordarshan are the official media partners of IFFI.

A representative of Qatar Airways said that the airline company would be providing air tickets worth Rs 8 lakh to the celebrity invitees at the IFFI 2011, besides maintaining two lounges at the IFFI venue at Panaji, one named after the famed actor-director, Raj Kapoor and another one, an actors’ lounge. “In fact, Qatar Airways has signed a 3-year contract with the ESG,” he added.

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Experts from tourism industry feel that hosting of IFFI, since 2004 has helped the state to brand itself in the global market.

“IFFI has put Goa prominently on the entertainment and glamour map worldwide, thus helping the tourism industry to a great extent,” Ralph de Sousa, spokesperson for Travel and Tourism Association of Goa (TTAG) said.

De Souza said that as a permanent festival venue, it rubbed shoulders with other such venues like Cannes and taking Goa as a ‘brand’ to the next level.

Supporting him, tourism director Swapnil Naik said that the branding helps a lot in attracting tourists in the state.

“The festival attracts a large number of national and international delegates, film makers and creative enthusiasts to Goa,” he said adding that since last seven years IFFI has successfully showcased Goa’s vibrant spirit and the many facets of our beautiful state to the global film industry.

The IFFI 2010, which concluded on December 2, showcased 300 films from 61 countries.

Entertainment Society of Goa’s (ESG), CEO, Manoj Srivastava declared that the number of movies screened during ten day long festival was largest since its inception.

“The festival, India’s Cannes, is not just about remarkable films, it’s over 240 hours of entertainment and fun,” he said

“Goa is about fun and entertainment. Its scenic beaches and quaint surroundings create the ideal atmosphere to host an international film festival like IFFI,” he added.

The festival schedule is packed with world premieres, film bazaars, master class series, workshops, director interactions, buyer interactions, music concerts and more.

“As the managing body for IFFI, ESG seeks to further Goa as India’s international entertainment destination,” the CEO said.

Srivastava said that Goa is arguably the best destination to host a film festival of the stature of IFFI hence the state is been declare as permanent venue to host the festival.

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“Extinction II” is made by Spanish documentary filmmaker Fernando Uson Fornies, who won the Rs.500,000 award.

“Niyamgiri, you are still alive”, a docu-drama showcasing the struggle of Niyamgiri’s tribals versus a mighty mining multinational firm, shared the Vasudha award along with another green documentary “Kaippad” in the SFC’s environment section at a formal function at the IFFI complex.

hairman of the UB group Vijay Mallya seen presenting the the " Golden Lamp Tree Award" to Fernando Uson Fornies during the awards ceremony at the Maqueniz Palace on the ninth day of the ongoing 41st International Film Festival of India in Panaji

Chairman of the UB group Vijay Mallya along with Chief Minister Digambar Kamat, DFF director S.M. Khan seen with the winners of the Vasudha Award and the International competition for Short film during the awards ceremony at the Maqueniz Palace on the ninth day of the ongoing 41st IFFI.

Noted bollywood character actor Nana Patekar seen during the press conference addressed by Mira Nair on her film 'Salaam Bombay' at the media centre on the ninth day of the ongoing 41st IFFI.

Noted Konkani film maker Rajendra Talak seen with the cast of his Konkani film 'O Maria' during the Red Carpet welcome soon after his film 'O Maria' was premiered on the ninth day of the ongoing 41st IFFI in Panaji

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]]> http://www.garlicchop.com/iffi-goa/spanish-documentary-wins-golden-lamp-at-iffi-goa-2010/feed/ 0 http://www.garlicchop.com/iffi-goa/vijay-mallya-to-be-chief-guest-at-iffi-2010/ http://www.garlicchop.com/iffi-goa/vijay-mallya-to-be-chief-guest-at-iffi-2010/#comments Mon, 29 Nov 2010 08:33:30 +0000 Phoenix http://www.garlicchop.com/?p=14379 Panaji, Nov 29  International Film Festival of India (IFFI) 2010 will have United Breweries Group boss Vijay Mallya visiting on November 30, officials said today.

Entertainment Society of Goa (ESG) Chief Executive Officer Manoj Srivastava said that said that Mallya would be the Chief Guest for the award function of Short Film Centre (SFC) on Tuesday.

“SFC concept has clicked very well and it has given a platform for the documentary filmmakers. Presence of a personality like Mallya would give further boost to the concept,” Srivastava told PTI.

UB is a major partner for SFC, showcasing 30 documentaries in its competition sections and lending platform to several other short films during IFFI.

ESG officials said that this is for the first time that Mallya would be visiting IFFI since its shift from Delhi to Goa.

UB’s Kingfisher brand has raked in sponsorship to the tune of Rs 50 lakh for the festival.

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Inspector Sandesh Chodankar told  that they received complaints by two NGOs that few delegates including a lady jury member was found smoking but they are yet to be identified.

“We have received three complaints including a photograph of a lady (jury member) who were found smoking at International Film festival of India (IFFI) venue. But we are yet to locate them,” he said.

National Organisation for Tobacco Eradication (NOTE) General Secretary Shekhar Salkar said that they have asked the police to take immediate action against the offenders.

“The complaints were filed by two NGOs. We have told the police to patrol the venues in plain clothes and catch hold of the offenders,” he said.

“I have also asked the senior police officers to challan the ESG CEO Manoj Srivastava for not taking serious cognizance despite earlier cases,” Salkar added.

Chodankar said that they are maintaining a close watch at all visitors and have identified and challaned few of them found smoking at the IFFI venue. “As regards to the three complaints, we are trying to locate them,” he said.

It may be recalled that Ajay Devgan, Arshad Warsi and few other celebrities who were found smoking in the ESG premise earlier have already been fine Rs 100 for smoking.

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Panaji, Nov 24 (IANS): Realistic film maker Madhur Bhandarkar says he might make a comeback to action films soon.

Bhandarkar, speaking to reporters at the 41st edition of the International Film Festival of India (IFFI), also said his films are made according to his will and the film’s ‘heroes and heroines’ have nothing to do with it.

“My films are made as per my will. If at all I change the script, it’s my own say,” Bhandarkar said.

The “Chandni Bar” director also said he might switch tack soon and make an action-based movie.

“Let me release my film ‘Dil To Bachcha Hai Ji’. It’s just a day’s work on the film in balance. After that I might try my hand with action movies,” said Bhandarkar, whose last action movie was “Aan: Men at Work” way back in 2004, which had a multi-star cast including Akshay Kumar.

IFFI opening film’s producer sore over audience apathy.

Photographers seen in full concentration during the inaugural ceremony of the Short Film Centre on the second day of the ongoing 41st International film festival of India in Panaji on Tuesday.

Bollywood film director Madhur Bhandarkar seen along with the Chief Secretary of the Goa State, Sanjay Shrivastav during the inaugural ceremony of the Short Film Centre on the second day of the ongoing 41st International film festival of India in Panaji on Tuesday.

Delegates seen experiencing the thrill of 3d movies during the film bazaar on the second day of the ongoing 41st International film festival of India in Panaji on Tuesday.

Bollywood actress Tisca Chopra seen at the film bazaar on the second day of the ongoing 41st International film festival of India in Panaji on Tuesday.

Delegates seen waiting to get their delegate passes outside the Old GMC complex on the second day of the ongoing 41st International film festival of India in Panaji on Tuesday.

The MR. INDIA man

Bollywood film director Madhur Bhandarkar seen along Janardhan Bhandari of the Mandovi Entertainment during the inaugural ceremony of the Chota Cinema Centre on the second day of the ongoing 41st International film festival of India in Panaji on Tuesday.

Food stalls at the Inox courtyard.

A special stage has been provided to R.K.FILMS on IFFI corniche.

A huge fish aquarium was covered up with tarpauline sheet as a result of light drizzle during the late moring hours on the second day of the ongoing 41st International film festival of India in Panaji on Tuesday.

CISF jawans on guard infront of the Old GMC building complex.

Noted playback singer Amit Kumar seen addressing a press conference during the ongoing 41st International film festival of India in Panaji on Tuesday.

Noted playback singer Amit Kumar seen addressing a press conference with Bollywood actress Anooradha Patel during the ongoing 41st International film festival of India in Panaji on Tuesday.

The legendery 'Sindhutai Sapkal' on whom the marathi film 'Mee Sindhutai Sapkal' is based, seen during the press conference on the second day of the ongoing 41st International film festival of India in Panaji on Tuesday.

A huge replica of Titanic has been installed on the IFFI corniche.

Food stalls at the IFFI corniche.

Knowledge session at the Film Bazaar on the second day of the ongoing 41st International film festival of India in Panaji on Tuesday.

Knowledge session at the Film Bazaar on the second day of the ongoing 41st International film festival of India in Panaji on Tuesday.

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