The Ministry of External Affairs, New Delhi will soon be launching a major initiative aimed at encouraging individuals and countries around the world to think of India in interesting, pervasive and positive ways. This is being done through a global video contest on the theme "India is………" The challenge is open to anyone anywhere in the world and envisages short, three minute video about India. To provide the contestants a sense of focus, the following three themes have been identified during the current year:(i) India is ………Colourful(ii) India is ………Creative(iii) India is……….Wherever You AreThe themes, particularly "India is …… Wherever You Are" are open to anyone in any country to make a short video (under three minutes) on India.The contest will run from October 1 to December 31, 2011 and a reputed jury will select the best entries. The grand prizes range from ` (INR) 50,000 to ` (INR) 175,000. An event is expected to be arranged in March, 2012, where the winning entries will be recognized. The Ministry is also in touch with a couple of Indian and international channels to see if the prize winning videos can be screened by them. Dr. Shashi Tharoor, Member of Parliament and film maker Mr. Shekhar Kapoor have agreed to act as honorary ambassadors for the programme.The winning films will be sent, on behalf of the Government of India, to renowned International Film Festivals.The tentative formal media launch of the programme will be on September 30, 2011. The contest website www.indiais.org (currently under construction) will be open for receiving entries from October 1, 2011.
