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MIB invites entries for ‘75 Creative Minds of Tomorrow’
Mumbai: The ministry of information and broadcasting (MIB) has opened applications for the ’75 Creative Minds of Tomorrow’ competition. The segment is an annual platform at the International Film Festival of India in Goa for identifying, encouraging, and nurturing young creative talents from various aspects of filmmaking.
The initiative is in its second year, having begun in 2021 to commemorate India’s 75th anniversary of independence as part of the ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav’ celebrations.
The number of filmmakers recognised represents the years of Indian independence. It is expected that the number of youths participating in ‘creative minds’ will increase by one in the coming years in order to keep the spirit of the endeavour alive.
An eminent jury will shortlist and select the 75 creative minds under the auspices of the National Film Development Corporation ahead of the 53rd edition of the International Film Festival of India.
This programme identifies young budding film makers and provides them a platform to interact and learn from national as well as international film makers during the period of IFFI Goa.
This is a one-of-a-kind platform, with the largest gathering of young creative minds chosen through a competition at any premier film festival around the world. It was conceived in 2021 by union minister for information and broadcasting, youth affairs, and sports Anurag Singh Thakur to provide a platform and connect young talent with industry masters from the media and entertainment sectors.
The selected ’75 Creative Minds of Tomorrow’ will also attend workshops and sessions specially curated by the masters of cinema during the festival event in Goa. Furthermore, each team will take part in a group competition to make a short film in 53 hours. The themes of the short film will be inspired by the spirit of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, in which the teams will present their vision of India@100.
The selected creative minds will be divided into seven teams in collaboration with Shorts TV, the initiative’s programming partner. The films created by the seven teams will be screened theatrically at IFFI on 24 November followed by an award ceremony to recognise the winning film. Everyone who takes part in the competition challenge will be recognised.
The initiative is also another step toward making India a global content and post-production hub by identifying, nurturing, and up-skilling young talent and preparing them for industry connections and readiness. The initiative is nurturing and developing an ecosystem of young filmmakers, allowing them to network and collaborate from the start.
The ministry intends to implement productive interventions so that participants can take advantage of this opportunity for gainful employment in the media and entertainment sectors.
The entries will be accepted from 5 September 2022 till 23 September at: https://www.iffigoa.org/creativeminds.
NEW DELHI: Hamdard Laboratories gathered a cross-section of India’s achievers in New Delhi on Friday, handing out the Hakeem Abdul Hameed Excellence Awards to figures who have left their mark across healthcare, education, sport, public service and the arts.
The ceremony, attended by minister of state for defence Sanjay Seth and senior officials from the ministry of Ayush, celebrated individuals whose work blends professional success with a sense of public purpose. It was as much a roll call of achievement as it was a reminder that influence is not measured only in profits or podiums, but in people reached and lives improved.
Among the headline awardees was Alakh Pandey, founder and chief executive of PhysicsWallah, recognised for turning affordable digital learning into a mass movement. On the sporting front, Arjuna Awardee and kabaddi player Sakshi Puniya was honoured for her contribution to the game and for pushing women’s participation onto bigger stages.
The cultural spotlight fell on veteran lyricist and poet Santosh Anand, whose songs have echoed across generations of Hindi cinema. At 97, Anand accepted the honour with characteristic humility, reflecting on a life shaped by perseverance and hope.
Healthcare honours spanned both modern and traditional systems. Manoj N. Nesari was recognised for strengthening Ayurveda’s place in national and global health frameworks. Padma shri Mohammed Abdul Waheed was honoured for his research-backed work in Unani medicine, while padma shri Mohsin Wali received recognition for his long-standing contribution to patient-centred care.
Education and social development also featured prominently. Padma shri Zahir Ishaq Kazi was honoured for decades of work in education, while former Meghalaya superintendent of Police T. C. Chacko was recognised for public service. Goonj founder Anshu Gupta received an award for his dignity-centred rural development initiatives, and the Hunar Shakti Foundation was honoured for empowering women and young girls through skill development.
The Lifetime Achievement Award went to former IAS officer Shailaja Chandra for her long career in public healthcare and governance, particularly in the traditional systems under Ayush.
Speaking at the event, Hamdard chairman Abdul Majeed said the awards were a tribute to those who combine excellence with empathy. “These awardees reflect Hakeem Sahib’s belief that healthcare, education and public service must ultimately serve humanity,” he said.
Minister Seth struck a forward-looking note, saying India’s young population gives the country a unique opportunity to become a global destination for learning, health and wellness by 2047.
The ceremony also featured the trailer launch of Unani Ki Kahaani, an upcoming documentary starring actor Jim Sarbh, set to premiere on Discovery on 11 February.
Instituted in memory of Unani scholar and educationist Hakeem Abdul Hameed, the awards have grown into a national platform that celebrates those building a more inclusive and resilient India. For one evening at least, the spotlight was not just on success, but on service with substance.
