Govt ties up with Nat Geo for films on India's scientific gains

New Delhi, Mar 9 (UNI) The Ministry of Science and Technology, in collaboration with the National Geographic Channel, has embarked on an ambitious project to produce films on India's achievements in science and techology, the first of which will be aired by the end of May.

The films produced under the Rs 1,14,15,570 project will be telecast by the Doordarshan and all its regional stations.

''The basic purpose of the year-long campaign is to educate the general public about the good work done by national research and development institutes and laboratories by showcasing the most innovative and path-breaking trends in the field of science and technology,'' Minister for Science and Technology Kapil Sibal told the Rajya Sabha today.

The 31 films to be produced vary in length between 30 seconds to 45 minutes and will be given a total of over 1100 airings. The expenditure towards airing and promotion of films would be Rs 1,02,01,550, the Minister said.

The copyright of the films will remain with the Ministry of Science and Technology but the films will also carry National Geographic's logo, he said.

Besides their telecast on Doordarshan, CDs and DVDs of the film will be produced and distributed to schools, said Mr Sibal.

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