Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik Advocates for Public Involvement in Road Safety

Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik stressed the significance of public engagement in road safety efforts at the culmination of the National Road Safety Short Film Festival- 2023 in Bhubaneswar. The festival, organized by the commerce and transport departments, aims to raise awareness about road safety through short films.

Bhubaneswar, December 12: Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik emphasized the importance of transforming road safety initiatives into a people's movement during his attendance at the grand finale of the National Road Safety Short Film Festival- 2023 in Bhubaneswar. He highlighted road safety as a top priority for the state government.

Second Edition of Short Film Festival

This year marks the second edition of the short film festival, organized by the commerce and transport departments. The festival was initially launched in 2022 with the aim of raising public awareness through short films.

Overwhelming Response from Participants

The film festival witnessed an impressive response, receiving 247 entries in seven different languages from eight states across India. Chief Minister Patnaik acknowledged the power of movies in evoking emotions and their ability to foster empathy among viewers.

Short Films as a Medium for Social Engagement

Patnaik emphasized the significance of short films as an effective medium to engage society in addressing pressing issues like road safety. He expressed gratitude to the commerce and transport departments for organizing the festival.

Enthusiastic Public Participation

Prior to the grand finale, at least 42 films were screened in various cities, including Berhampur, Sambalpur, and Angul, garnering an enthusiastic response from approximately 5,000 citizens.

Promoting Local Languages for Greater Impact

The Chief Minister expressed delight over the inclusion of entries in local languages such as Santali and Sambalpuri, in addition to Odia. He recognized the potential of local languages to establish stronger connections with the audience and create a more profound impact on road safety awareness.

Participation from Diverse Regions and International Students

Notably, the festival received entries not only from Odisha but also from states like Punjab, Maharashtra, Kerala, Assam, Delhi, Madhya Pradesh, and West Bengal. Additionally, international students from neighboring countries such as Nepal, Bangladesh, and Kenya, who are pursuing their studies in Bhubaneswar, also contributed films to the festival.

Celebrating the Winners

Patnaik congratulated all the winners for their efforts in spreading road safety awareness through their films. The Odia short film "Biswasth Sathi" (Trusted Friend) secured the first prize, while a film from Kerala bagged the second prize.