Act East Policy: Government to set up IIMC, FTII campuses in North East

In line with India’s Act East Policy, the Information and Broadcasting (I&B) ministry has proposed to set up a Film & Television Institute of India (FTII) campus in Arunachal Pradesh, and a permanent campus of the Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC) in Aizawl, Mizoram. 

The move aimed at encouraging local talent in the media and entertainment sector in the north east will cost the government Rs 225 crore including Rs 200 for the 50 acre FTII campus in Arunachal and Rs 25 crore for the IIMC campus, which would be developed as a media training hub for the north east as well as other south East Asian countries.

Currently, FTII has a campus in Pune, while the IIMC which has its headquarters in Delhi, has campuses in Jammu, Amravati, Kottayam, Dhenkanal and Aizawl too.

“The proposed Film & Television Institute of India in Arunachal Pradesh and the setting up of permanent campus of IIMC at Aizawl would provide quality training to the young population, catering to their needs and aspirations and thereby acting as talent creators and talent hubs in the region,” a statement from the I&B ministry read, quoting M Venkaiah Naidu, I&B minister.

In the review meeting of programmes and policies in the North East in Guwahati on Tuesday, the minister also said it is imperative to develop programmes in local languages and dialects to reach out to all sections of the society. 

He emphasised that public service broadcaster All India Radio is working towards the purpose by broadcasting in 28 dialects of the north east region.