AAFT's Meenakshi Sundarani to represent India at Seoul UPF world meet

A senior level delegation of the Universal Peace Federation of India, comprising Ms Ursula McLackland, Secretary General (Asia Pacific), Dr Robert S Kittel, Secretary General(South Asia), visited AAFT & ASMS recently. The duo were closetted with the Academy Director Prof Sandeep Marwah and Dean : Business Programs, Prof T S Bedi for long, exchanging notes of mutual interest of UPF and AAFT/ASMS.Both Ms Ursula and Dr Kittel expressed happiness over the invigorating participation of the students and faculty of the academy in the affairs of UPF and announced the selection of Ms Meenakshi as the first Student Ambassador of Peace at the ensuing UPF international meet in Seoul next week and as only the second such candidate from India. The selection, added Prof Marwah offers " A free one week board and lodge for Meenakshi in Seoul besides her to and fro travel expenses and marks the beginning of a long and successful relationship with UPF".

VP(International Business Wales) graces AAFT's 55th Convocation

As usual, the 55th valedictory function of the AAFT was a high profile event. Besides, Prof Sandeep Marwah, director of the academy flying back from a hurricane visit to UK, the convocation proceedings were graced by a top level delegation from International Business Wales, UK including Andrews Davis, Executive Vice President : Asia Pacific as its Chief Guest and Mike Morris : Head of Finance and Performance(IBW), Larry Wilson and Robert Lock, Regional and Senior Manager : IBW - Asia Pacific, respectively as the other distinguished guests of honour.Speaking on the occasion, Chief Guest, Andrews Davis wished the outgoing students a grand success in their chosen fields of specialization. Mike wished the students " a shining and successful future". Larry and Robert too echoed similar sentiments amidst mixed feelings of departure and beginning of a new professional life for the charged and young aspiring media professionals. Aslesha Khandeparkar and Anusheel Vasudev, representing IBW : India were amongst the other distinguished personalities present on the occasion.The honourable guests were inducted as life members of Marwah Studios' prestigious International Film & Television Club by Prof Marwah. Earlier, Dean Business Programs at ASMS/AAFT, Prof T S Bedi gave an exciting account of the success story of AAFT during the year gone by. A formal vote of thanks by Associate Dean, AAFT Prof Kalyan Sarkar concluded the function.

Lowell Williams visits AAFT

Principal of South Leicestershire College (rated amongst UK's top ten institutes), Prof Lowell Williams visited AAFT, ASMS campuses and the Marwah Film & TV Studios recently spending a good three hours at all the facilities. Lowell was highly impressed with the infrastructure available at the institute and expressed an instant desire to execute an MOU with your academy for a series of collaborative media education programs besides exchange of students and faculty for mutual development. Describing his colllege as having been rated as a Center of Excellence in Training of Teachers in UK, Lowell offered to train the faculty of AAFT & ASMS under the proposed MOU. Prof Marwah conducted Prof Lowell around personally and inducted him as a life time member of his prestigious International Film & TV Club on this occasion.

AAFT Brings Twilight Players Back Home

In keeping with its tradition of bringing international universities, education, delegates and artistes from all parts of the world to India, the Asian Academy of Film and Television situated in the Film City in Noida recently brought the world renowned group of dancers, better known as The Twilight Players to its campus. For the trio of Sinbad, who leads the troupe, Jimmy and Ammo, the visit was a sweet come back to their homeland once again.The twilight players, it may be noted here are known for having taken their unique blend of boogaloo, locking and Fifties Street Jazz all over the world and have performed with legendary artistes like Madona, George Michael, Michael Jackson, Wyclef Jean, Kylie Minogue, Gabreille and Sophie Ellis Bextor. An electrifying live wire performance by the troupe at the end of their special week long workshop for the students of cinema and television at the AAFT campus literally mesmerized each and every person present in the hall. Sinbad appreciated the dedication and keenness of the students of the academy, who he said were always yearning for more despite very strenuous rhythmic exercises they had to go through as part of a rigorous training schedule. Thanking the troupe for their excellent inputs for developing the dancing skills of the students, AAFT Director Prof Sandeep Marwah expressed hope that the latter would be able to imbibe the advanced skills imparted by the world renowned dance masters.Prof Marwah also thanked Geeta Handa of cAtomic Media ventures of Mumbai and Sudarshan Pandey, the chief coordinator for the University of Winchester in India, for facilitating the visit of the troupe to Noida.

Prof Marwah represents India at Seoul World Peace Meet

Universal peace federation representing peace ambassadors of nearly 200 countries in the world recently organized a World Peace Summit 2007 at Seoul, Korea from Feb 20 till Feb 24. The summit was attended by 350 top level delegates representing 192 countries of the world including 15 present or former premiers, first citizens/presidents of some nations.From India, Prof Sandeep Marwah, Chairman & Managing Director and President, AAFT, ASMS and Marwah Films and Video Studios represented at the apex summit as an ambassador of peace.The underlying theme and objective of the meet, Prof Marwah said on return from there, was towards forming new alliances at a time of global crisis by resolving any differences of opinions emerging anywhere on the globe and helping the United Nations in its pursuit of establishing peace in the world as a whole.Speaking on the occasion, Prof Marwah announced hosting a Global Film Festival on Spirituality and Family Values at AAFT, Noida in collaboration with UPF-India, UpTV and Voices of Peace sometime during August 2007, amidst thunderous applause from participating delegates.Plenary address at the mega event was given by UPF Chairman Rev Dr Chung Hwan Kwak in august presence of H.E. Yawovi Madji Agboyibo, Prime Minister, Togo, H.E.Chantal Compaore Terrason, First Lady, Burkina Faso, Hin Guillermo Francisco Reyes, Vice Minister of Justice and Interior, Colombia, Sir James R Mancham, Founding President, Seychelles, H.E. Victor Ciorbea, Former Prime Minister, Romania, Hon Dr Nicholas Frederick, Attorney General & Minister of Justice, St Lucia, Hon Unasa Mesi Galo, Minister of Justice, Samoa, Sir Lloyd Erskine Sandiford, Former Prime Minister, BArbadose, H E Hamilton Green, Former Prime Minister, Guyana, Hon Momudo Koroma, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Sierra Leone, Hon Shizuo Sato, Former Minister, Japan, H.E. Prof Stanislav S Shushkevich, Former Chairman(Supreme Council) , Belarus, Hon Jean Jacques Nyenimigabo, Minister of Government, Burundi, Mrs Debbie Remengesau, First Lady of Palau, Hon Hee Moon, Representative, National Assembly, Republic of Korea, Mrs Graciela Rompani de Pacheco Areco, Former First Lady, Uruguay, H.E. Rahim Alievich Huseynov, Former Prime Minister, Azerbaijan, Hon Ped Shanel Agouaka, Minister of Commerce, Industry and Employment, Solomon Islands, Hon Y B Dato Rhina Bhar, Senator, Malaysia amongst others.

Wales chief of trade leaves a trail of memories

A high powered delegation of the Wales government; Welsch Assembly lead by its Chief of Trade and Head of Creative Business, Rob Thomas recently visited the Marwah Film & Video Studios, Asian School of Media Studies and the Asian Academy of Film & Television situated in Film City in Noida.Rob Thomas was accmpanied by his deputy Ms Allison Dowzell, Development Manager and Aslesha Khandeparkar, Vice President (India) and Anusheel Basudev, Partner( North India : IBW) during the three day entourage. The visit was the outcome of Prof Sandeep Marwah's continuing efforts to promote media education as well as the film, TV and media industry in general between the two countries.Rob held elaborate discussions with the faculty of ASMS & AAFT on various issues, including exchange programs for faculty and students of ASMS & AAFT and similar leading Media Management Universities/Institutes like the world renowned Cardiff in Wales. Sandeep Marwah also took an opportunity to have his latest state of art sound recording studio inaugurated by the distinguished chief guest from Wales on this occasion. As the Chairman of the Media and Entertainment Committee of the 102 year old PHD chamber of commerce and industry(PHDCCI), Sandeep also organized a special interactive exchange session of the Wales Chief of Trade and his team with the Chamber Secretary General, Krishan Kant Kalra at the PHDCCI premises.For the students of cinema at AAFT, the visit proved to be a great inspiration with Rob Thomas himself so kindly agreeing to launch shooting of 24 short digital films under the direction of renowned Bollywood director Ashok Tyagi. Mahurat shots for all these films were given by Allison Dowzell. Others felicitating the distinguished guests on behalf of ASMS & AAFT included Prof Harsh Wardhan, Prof Satish Garg, Prof Suresh Jangida, Prof T S Bedi and Chief Proctor, Gyanendra Tiwari. The Chief Guest was also honoured with a life time membership of the prestigious International Film & TV Research Center, by its Chairman Sandeep Marwah on this occasion.

International Exposure at AAFT broadening Horizons of Indian Film Makers : Sanjay Kapoor

In keeping with its tradition of promoting international relations through the business of films and television, Asian Academy of Film & Television recently hosted a highly interactive culture exchange program with renowned film makers and musicians from Austria at its campus, on a special invitation from Prof Sandeep Marwah.Well known cine star Sanjay Kapoor flew in to Noida to represent Bollywood for this program specially and had day long interactive schedule with the students of media education. Speaking on the occasion, Sanjay said the amount of international exposure being given to the students through continuing visits of global film makers, artistes and large number of international students enrolling here had largely helped the present day film makers of India to now start thinking of venturing into global film productions and marketing, as much as its students; for an un matched film education.Sharing their impressions with the large gathering of students of media, film makers from Austria expressed great satisfaction over the state of art education inputs provided at this premier film school of the country and were all praise for the increasing global popularity of the Indian film industry.The Austrian cultural team was represented by Austria 's well renowned Alpine Music Quartet band including Ulrich Gabriel, Philipp Lingg, Evelyn Fink Mennel and Hans Rinner, who also gave an electrifying live performance besides leading film makers Wolfgang Morth, Robert Polak, Luica Mennel, Kamalkanta Mohanty and Markus Brandle. All the guests from Austria were inducted as life members of AAFT's prestigious International Film and Television Club, with joint presentations by Prof Sandeep Marwah and Sanjay Kapoor. A formal vote of thanks for the distinguished guests was presented by Prof T S Bedi, representing ASMS on the occasion.

Bhutan Takes AAFT By Storm

Although in a very short span of just 14 years since inception, AAFT has emerged as the only premier institute in the world for having successfully attracted students from as many as 63 countries of the globe, the recent induction of a batch of 25 students sponsored by the Bhutan chamber of commerce & industry, close on the heels of an earlier full compliment of 31 students from Pakistan; just a few weeks ago for a full three months rigorous advanced training in film and television studies has added another milestone in the history of this academy.The batch to run parallelly to AAFT's 54th stream already on the go was formally launched by the AAFT director Sandeep Marwah besides Chhimi Dorjee, Chief de Mission representing the Bhutan chamber of commerce & industry, renowned Bollywood cinematographer Adeep Tandon, T S Bedi, professor of masscom and management at Asian school of media studies and Prof Suresh Jangida, Dean(AAFT).Welcoming the honoured guests, Sandeep Marwah emphasised upon the immense growth potential of the media industry. He also honoured the distinguished guests by inducting them as life members of his prestigious, international film and television club. Chief Guest, Chimmi Dorji said that the media industry was the fastest growing industry in Bhutan and that training at AAFT was sure to provide his students the much needed professional skills film makers generally lack in Bhutan.Answering a volley of questions from the audience, Adeep Tandon dwelt on a number of issues from how Bollywood film makers overcome various problems.to realize their passions in this highly dedicated profession. Prof T S Bedi spoke about the achievements and laurels attained by AAFT in the last fourteen years. The event concluded with a formal vote of thanks from Prof Suresh Jangida.

ASMS Organizes Seminar On Role & applications of IT in governance and management

In its continuing efforts to build up highly interactive interface with top most technocrats and corporate leaders from the industry, Asian School of Media Studies recently organized a one day seminar on the Role and Applications of Information Technology in Management and Governance. Seminar proceedings were steered by Mr T S Bedi, Professor of Management and Mass Communication at ASMS and AAFT and attended by students of MBA and MSc(Multi Media), being run by ASMS in affiliation with Punjab Technical University, Jullundur.Senior Director and the senior most technocrat head of the Information Technology Department of the Ministry of IT & Telecom in the Government of India, Mr S P Singh was the chief guest at the seminar. Other speakers for the seminar included Prof T S Bedi, Mr G S Maheshwari, both former founder IT and Plant Personnel Heads at Maruti Udyog besides Mr K D Batra, another first generation IT engineer from IBM( in late sixties) and BHEL. Opening session by Mr Batra addressed various facets of the Enterprise Management System.Mr G S Maheshwari spoke on the applications of Information Technology for achieving Excellence in Business with the Chief Guest and expert speaker on the subject Mr S P Singh elaborating on how the National e Governance Plan, scripted by him for an IT revolution in the country, since approved by the Planning Commission and the Government of India was evolved and was being implemented all across the States under leadership and guidance of the Department of IT, GOI. The plan he added envisages an investment of nearly 5bn US $ besides what is going to be invested for its success by each of the States separately.Mr Singh said that he hopes the plan would be nearing completion in another 4 to 5 years in India against nearly twenty years taken by some of the most advanced countries in the world and change the face of our nation completely. During this period, Mr Singh added the IT department would be covering most of the six lacs villages of the country. Both Prof Bedi and Mr Maheshwari cited the models of business excellence evolved for success of Maruti Udyog ltd, with Mr Maheshwari elaborating on how application of IT had contributed to its success as early as in early eightees. The seminar proceedings were anchored and conducted by Prof Bedi. ASMS Course Director Prof Harsh Vardhan presented a vote of thanks to guest speakers before a high tea session hosted by the ASMS/AAFT President and Director, Prof Sandeep Marwah for the delegates.

Hollywood personality Zack Newmark visits AAFT

Renowned Producer Director of short digital films, film consultant from Hollywood, Zack Newmark was recently at AAFT for an interactive session with students of film and television training. Zack said he was really impressed with the quest for learning exhibited by the students here and complimented institute Director Prof Marwah on the state of art infrastructure and facilities at the institute and its integrated Marwah Studios. These he said compare with the best any where on the globe from his own experiences of having worked in this industry in USA, Neitherlands and other advanced countries. Thanking Zack for the time found by him for the interactive session with students of AAFT, Academy Director, Prof Sandeep Marwah presented the former with a life time membership of his prestigious international film and television club during the visit.

Hollywood film maker Jodi Kaplan honoured by Prof Marwah

Chairman of Indo US Chambers of Commerce and Director(AAFT/ASMS), Sandeep Marwah recently honoured well known producer director of short films from Hollywood, Jodi Kaplan, who visited Noida to conduct a special two day workshop for students of media streams at AAFT and ASMS, from New York.Jodi was immensely impressed with the productions of the students of AAFT and also announced screening of a few short films of its students at her ensuing film festival at the India Habitat Centre. Both, Jodi and Arshiya assured AAFT and ASMS of their continuing support in future as well before being inducted as life long members of the International Film and Television Club headed by Prof Sandeep Marwah. Jodi's visit to ASMS/AAFT was the result of a special effort of Arshiya Sethi, herself a former dance critic with the prestigious Times of India and " a unique amalgamation of a cultural visionary, scholar, a professionally trained classical dancer and administrator of Kri Foundation, as corroborated by Prof T S Bedi. The event concluded with a special vote of thanks from Suresh Jangida, the dean of AAFT.

Prof Sandeep Marwah honoured at Welsh Assembly

Founder President of the Asian Academy of Film and Television, Asian School of Media Studies and Director Marwah Studios Complex in Noida, Prof Sandeep Marwah was honoured by the Welsh Assembly government in UK recently. Nominated as a representative of the Indian Film and TV Industry, Prof Marwah was the first State Guest to be bestowed with this rare honour. Chasing a hectic, minute to minute cut out schedule of his visit, Prof Marwah seized every possible opportunity to meet Heads of all the Creative Departments and of all the Universities, predominantly including the Screen Academy, Morgan University, International Business Wales and the BBC. Prof Marwah also had a special session with Mr Andrew Davis, the Minister For Enterprise, Innovation and Networks.A special Academy Award in recognition of Prof Marwah's outstanding contribution to the Creative Arts was also presented to him during this visit by Mr Rob Thomas, Chief of Trade, Welsh government. Amongst the distinguished guests from the UK Universities, academic institutions and government present on the occasion included Mr Ken Russel, Co Director, Cardiff University and Ian Williams.

AAFT Supports Film Festival

World renowned Asian Academy of Film and Television(AAFT) and Asian School of Media Studies(ASMS) situated in film city in Noida recently partnered with WE CARE, a film festival focusing issues concerning the mentally challenged; organized by two Delhi based NGOs – Tamana Welfare Society and Brotherhood at the India International Center in the capital. The judges panel included renowned Ms Shruti Shukla, a well known Well known media educator and researcher, Prof. Sandeep Marwah, who was a special guest of honour on the occasion complimented the organizers of this film festival in supporting the cause of the mentally and physically handicapped persons by hosting films on disability issues, often neglected in society. Prof. Sandeep Marwah also reassured making available; all the facilities at Marwah Studios to the film professionals willing to support this cause in future as well.Other prominent dignitaries present on the occasion included Govind Nihalani, Dr Mohan Aghashe and Smt Meira Kumar, Union Minister for Social Welfare gracing the event as its chief guest.

US NRI's CD released at Marwah Studios

Traditions I, an audio album dedicated to devotional songs by Madhu Mathur Anand, a US NRI was released by Prof. Sandeep Marwah, founder director of the Marwah Films and Video Productions in film city in Noida, recently.The world -wide release marked the completion of third musical venture in the journey of this versatile singer, who has earlier released Roshan, Roshan, a compilation of geets and ghazals and some romantic ballads in 1990 and Waves of Liberty, with emphasis on global unity within diversity in 2001, both in US. In 1992, she had also recorded an English pop single titled "Jump Start America" to help promote the national campaign of the same name. Asian Academy of Film and Television and Asian School of Media Studies, which are affiliated with the Marwah Films and Video Productions in Noida also hosted a special evening of live performance by Madhu, as a prelude to the launch ceremony. Earlier, the world renowned bhajan and ghazal legend, Anup Jalota, with whom she has extensively performed on stage in various concerts in North America, specially flew in to record his introduction for her album as a gesture of his appreciation for her over two decades of musical bonding with the wizard of bhajans.

ASMS and AAFT students shine at institute dance competition T S Bedi

Students of various media management, mass communication, cinema, acting & presentation, production & direction and sound and video acting at Asian School of Media Studies and Asian Academy of Film & Television of film city, Noida recently organized a dance competition in the college premises.Auditions for the grand event were conducted by the institute chief proctor, Gyanendra Tiwari and went on for three weeks. The grand finale saw 26 finalists from as many as 26 different course streams. The judges panel included renowned Ms Shruti Shukla, a well known dancer, Puneet Sharma, noted media personality and Aftaab Sandhu, a guinea's book record holder for having anchored the maximum number of stage shows around the world.Addressing the participants, Chief Guest of the event, institute director Prof Sandeep Marwah applauded the efforts of the budding artistes, after handing over the prizes to the top three performers in each of the solo, dual and group dance performances. Mr T S Bedi, Professor of Masscom and Management, and Associate Dean(Business School), who was also present at the event enthralled the audiences with a popular Punjabi folk number on popular demand from the students after a wonderful performance from Mahendar Pal for some Sufi numbers.

AAFT's 53rd batch passes out

53rd batch students of various specialized short term training courses stepped into the world of glamour and media after a glittering function marking their convocation at the world renowned Asian Academy of Film & TV, recently. Senior bureaucrat, former CCEO, NOIDA authority and Commissioner (Merrut Division), Deo Datta was the honourable chief guest of the function, who awarded the certificates and the diplomas to the successful students. Speaking on the occasion, Deo Datta complimented Prof Sandeep Marwah, the director of the institute for his sincere efforts, honesty and dedication towards bringing his academy in the world's top ten best institutes of its kind in a very short span of time.Referring to a continuing special training program for 31 delegates from the Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto Institute of Media Sciences in Pakistan currently on at AAFT, Deo Datta described this initiative as both historic and as another milestone in the growth of Indo Pak relations, all because of the dedicated efforts of Prof Marwah and his academy. He also noted with great satisfaction how Prof Marwah had been instrumental in establishing an entire film city in Noida through his passionate zeal and literally a single handed relentless effort on his part.Qazi Asif Rashid, the other guest of honour representing Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto Institute of Media Sciences in Pakistan applauded the hospitality of the team members at AAFT & ASMS and hoped the Indo Pak relations will strengthen further in the future.

AAFT & ASMS support a noble cause : The Mother Teresa Hospital

A gathering of more than ten thousand people turned up at the special charity show christened, Music with Meaning at St Columbus School on Dec 16 organized by the All People's Development & Welfare Society( APDWS) in Delhi. The charity show was organized with a view to raise donations for APDWS's proposed Mother Teresa Institute of Health Sciences(MTIHS), committed to offering free medicare to the gas victims and the poor people in Bhopal. The proposed facility will include a full fledged Hospital with a Research Center, Referral Health Service Network, Community Medicine, Ayurveda and other Alternative Systems of Medicine besides also imparting medical education to people desirous of becoming medical practitioners. The event amongst others was attended by P R Kyundiah, the Union Minister for Tribal Affairs, Dr Senastian Paul, MP(Lok Sabha), S K Roongta, CMD(SAIL), Jigi Thompson, Principal Secretary(NORKA:GOI), Prof Sandeep Marwah,Director( Asian Academy of Film and Television and Asian School of Media Studies), Mathew Samuel, Chairman(Genesis Media Combines), Dr Fr Babu Joseph, Spokesperson(CBCI & Chairman APDWS) and the general convener and Advocate(Supreme Court), Deepak Prakash.The highlight of the event was a glittering performance from the winners'troupe of he famous Sa Re Ga Ma Pa, TV serial that included Debojit, Himani, Vishwas Rai, Sanchali Chatterji, dancer groups from scorpion, Mumbai and St Columbus, Delhi all winning a thunderous applause from the large audience.

Prof Marwah appointed Chairman(M&E Committee) Indo American Chamber of Commerce

Director of the world renowned Asian Academy of Film and Television and its affiliate Asian School of Media Studies, Prof Sandeep Marwah has been appointed as the Chairman of the Media and Entertainment Committee of the Indo American Chamber of Commerce. It may be noted here that Prof Marwah is already working as the Chairman of the Media and Entertainment Committee of the century old PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PHDCCI) for the last two years. Both the Regional President, Mr Vinod Madhok and Regional Director, Mr Atul Vyas of the Indo American Chamber of Commerce have hailed the appointment of Prof Sandeep Marwah, who brings with him a rich versatile exposure of over two decades in the field of entertainment, art, culture and media education.

Oxford Business College tie up with Asian School Of Media Studies gains further impetus

Continuing their respective search for synergy between centers of excellence for spread of education the world over, the tie up between the Oxford business college and the Asian School of Media Studies, (the fastest growing venture of the world renowned, Asian Academy of Film and Television) into the exciting field of media management, from Film City, Noida has gained further momentum.During a recent interactive session conducted specially for the aspirants of Media Management studies, Prof Anthony Considine representing the Oxford Business College(UK) was inducted as a Life Time member of the prestigious International Film & TV Research Center of AAFT/ASMS.The life membership was offered to Prof Anthony by ASMS Course Director Prof Harsh Vardhan and Prof T S Bedi jointly, on behalf of its President, Prof Sandeep Marwah in UAE on a Special Invitation from the Media City.If Oxford as a name invokes awe in the minds of aspiring students the world over, ASMS and AAFT have outgrown any other contemporary institute in the field of film, TV and media studies the world over in an unbelievably shortest span of time. No wonder, the two in tandem should soon be offering a dream platform for higher and most advanced education, for many international students in the very near future.Amongst its stream of various courses, the Oxford business college has agreed to offer 12/15/18 months MBA customized to strengths and potential of qualifying applicants(University of Sunderland MBA, a 2-year BA in Business Management (University of Sunderland) besides its 3-6 month pre-MBA programmes that are ideal for those wishing to combine intensive English, whilst developing their business skills and knowledge. While history is in the process of being re written beyond doubt, by the combined might of Oxford and ASMS, the discerning and the highly selective can look forward to a wonderful journey in the field of higher education in Media Management, especially from the Asian sub continent, where AAFT and ASMS in India have already established the strongest launch pad for global development for all media and general managers of the future.

ASMS organizes National Seminar on broadcasting

Asian School of Media Management affiliated to the world renowned Asian Academy of Film and Television situated in Film City in Noida recently organized a two day Seminar in collaboration with the century old PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry at the latter's premises in the capital on various issues and concerns confronting the Indian broadcasters and cable networ operators across the nation.Nearly a hundred delegates representing each of the zones of the country besides all the students of First and Second year streams of MBA at ASMS attended the proceedings. The seminar was the brain child of Prof Sandeep Marwah, Chairman of the Media and Entertainment Committee of the PHDCCI, who has been trying his best to synthesise solutions on most of the burning issues confronting the Film, Television and the Media industry in general in India of late. The Indian broadcasting world, a key sponsor to the event was represented by Dr A K Rastogi.

Expert speakers in the seminar included Dr A K Rastogi, who also conducted the proceedings besides eminent professionals from the field like Prof V C Khare, Mr Subash Grover, acknowledged as Technical Experts and Industry observers respectively and renowned management speaker Prof T S Bedi and former Engineer in chief Doordarshan and Course Director(ASMS) Prof Harshwardhan. The chief Guest of the function was Prof Mosharraf Hussain from Bangla Desh, who is a renowned HR Consultant, CEO of a number of Consulting Organizations and a Professor with a number of management institutes there. While Prof Bedi called for corporatization of the broadcasting and cable network association, Prof Khare and Subash Grover allayed fears on a variety of issues raised by participants from various States.The concluding session was addressed by Prof Sandeep Marwah amidst universal support to him on various issues evolved by consensus and supported by a signature campaign involving all the delegates for presentation to the Government of India through the PHDCCI.

PHDCCI & AAFT organizes Cycle Race for 8000 people

With a view to create awareness amongst the masses for the ensuing Commonwealth Games being hosted in Delhi in 2010, the PHDCCI, one of the oldest and leading chambers of commerce and industry in India, recently organized an Open Cycle Race in the capital. The cynosure of attraction at the open cycle race remained three times national award winner and renowned cine star Anil Kapoor, Prof Sandeep Marwah, Director of the Asian Academy of Films & Television and President Asian School of Media Studies besides the savvy Delhi chief minister Smt Sheela Dixit, who flagged off the event from the National Stadium as its chief guest.Speaking on the occasion Smt Dixit said that besides creating awareness for the coming commonwealth games the race is also a first step forward towards India's commitment for hosting the International Olympics in 2016. Prof Sandeep Marwah, who is also the chairman of the National Entertainment Committee of the PHDCCI thanked the PHDCCI President Smt Sushma Berlia for her relentless support to the great cause. The first three winners in each category of male and female participants later walked off with their cool prizes of Rs One lac, Rs Forty Thousand and Rs Twenty Thousand each.

AAFT Student's film in Toronto International Film Festival

AAFT Alumni Haobam Paban Kumar was born in Imphal, Manipur, India. He studied filmmaking at Asian Academy of Film and Television. He has directed several television programmes and the documentary AFSPA, 1958 (06). A Cry in the Dark (06), his most recent film, won a FIPRESCI prize at this year's Mumbai International Film Festival. Film Title: A Cry in the Dark Producer: Haobam Paban Kumar Screenplay: Haobam Paban Kumar Cinematographer: Saikhom Ratan Editor: Sankha

It was a standoff that barely made the world news. Two summers ago, in India's eastern state of Manipur, a young woman was arrested, then reportedly raped and killed in police custody. She was a village girl of no particular prominence – but the popular movement that rose up in the wake of Thangiam Manorama's death shook the foundations of a government. Filmmaker Haobam Paban Kumar was in Manipur at the time and found himself in the thick of the conflict. A Cry in the Dark captures showdown after showdown between unarmed protesters – often led by women's groups – and the officers of the Assam Rifles. In plain view, police beat protesters with staffs. They fire tear-gas canisters into crowds and bullets mere inches from protesters' heads. In one especially humiliating clash, they force young men to beat each other, then make them roll somersaults down a muddy road. Through it all, Kumar's camera keeps rolling. The film captures an extraordinary succession of abuses of authority and culminates in a horrifying, desperate act – but it is clearly powerless to stop what it sees. In one scene a journalist is brazenly beaten by police, his press badge splattered with his own blood. (So much for media scrutiny.) Kumar brings a quiet, resolute force to putting his argument forward; he lets no viewer off the hook, offering an object lesson in documentary ethics. But this film's most resonant image might be the protesters on yet another march after yet another police attack. Their banner reads simply, "Arrest Us. Beat Us More."

Yamini Sharma Auditions at AAFT

Yamini Sharma, whose front page close up by the Times of India's Chandigarh edition while protesting against ban of use of mobiles in colleges had recently got her immediate attention of Bollywood czar Satish Kaushik and who had accepted the producer director's offer of a lead role in one of his forthcoming movies recently visited the Marwah Film & Televisio Studios in the film city in Noida. Yamini, who said that she had decided to jump into film dom after a long and a careful thought and that she had no objections to doing any bold scenes, if the script so demands had come for a special audition and screen test at the Marwah Studios and AAFT; its integrated world class institute in film and television training. The buzz going around Marwah studios after the tests was that Yamini's audition and shots had gone great guns with none other than Satish Kaushik and Sandeep Marwah being present personally for the same for most of the time. A highly satisfied Satish Kaushik later was quick to observe that his first impressions of having found a face of both Karrena Kapoor and a Divya Mittal together appeared to be coming true. Yamini appreciated and thanked Prof Marwah for the great platform his institute and studios provide for auditions for upcoming and aspiring artistes like her.

FILMS CAN MAKE MASSES AWARE ABOUT DISABILITY ISSUES – SANDEEP MARWAH

Endorsing the WE CARE film festival being organized in the coming December by two Delhi based NGO's – Tamana Welfare Society and Brotherhood – the well known media educator and researcher Prof. Sandeep Marwah said that film and television are indeed powerful mediums of mass communication. It is thoughtful on the part of the organizers of this film festival to support the cause of the mentally and physically handicapped persons through films on disability issues, he added Prof. Sandeep Marwah offered to make available the facilities at Marwah Studios to the film professionals willing to support this cause through their work.

The president of Tamana Welfare Society Dr. Shyama Chona suggested that well made films on the subject may be screened at the schools and colleges to sensitize the youth about this issue. The director of WE CARE film festival Satish Kapoor said that the masses must be made aware about their duty to lend all possible support to the handicapped persons. The proposed film festival is a modest effort in this direction, he added. Prof. MM Alex, renowned film-actor Atul Kumar and Babli Singh of Shemaroo group were also present at the curtain raiser for the film festival being organized.

Indian Film professionals are welcome to Hollywood – Colin Handley

The well known Hollywood action choreographer Colin Handley said that in order to succeed the performers have to be simply passionate about acting. He was delivering the inaugural to the entrants of Asian Academy of Film & Television. A member of the creative team of the feature films Rocky and Commando and popular TV serials Baywatch and Santa Barbara, Colin Handley stated that the producer are continuously searching for ideas that can be turned into a successful film and Indian talent are always welcome to Hollywood. He finds music and choreography in Indian as captivating. Stating that successful functioning of the academy for fourteen years is a testimony to the vision of Prof. Sandeep Marwah, the British Business Women of international fame Cynthia McLaughlin told gathering that filmmakers from the USA and UK are now heading towards India to work with English speaking local talent.Speaking with emotion, the renowned entrepreneur Mahim Mittal declared that he has instituted scholarships to support the education a few needy students of Asian Academy of Film & Television.

SELF CONFIDENCE IS NECESSARY FOR TAKING ON LIFE – SYED SHAHNAWAZ HUSSAIN

In his thought provoking and inspiring address the former union minister Syed Shahnawaz Hussain said that self confidence and self esteem are necessary ingredients for success in life. He was delivering convocation address at Asian Academy of Film & Television. Admiring the courage of conviction of Prof. Sandeep Marwah the former union minister conceded that formal education and training in performing arts including filmmaking and television presentation, is necessary. He advised the students community to be respectful toward their teachers and trainers and remain grateful to them for all that they do to prepare the youngsters to face up to what lies ahead in life. The youthful Syed Shahnawaz Hussain has the rare distinction of becoming a union minister at the age of 30. He had steered the affairs of more than one department of the central govt. including civil aviation. The well known painter Neeta Dogra, television performer Vipin Handa, social worker Anoop Khana and Satish Kapoor also shared their thoughts with the students on this occasion.

GOOD MUSIC SOOTHES TENSE NERVES – PANKAJ JESWANI

Formally releasing the latest music album of the music composer and signer Pankaj Jeswani in a glittering function held recently at Marwah Studios in Noida Film City, the director of Asian School of Media Studies Prof. Sandeep Marwah described the talented artist as a god's gift to the mankind. Music has universal appeal and it transcends geographical boundaries and linguistics barriers,Prof. Sandeep Marwah added.

Pankaj Jeswani had received training in classical vocal music from the famous Mondgal brothers at New Delhi. He had rendered songs in his voice for a number of feature films and television serials. He had regularly been performing in India and the overseas. Most of his numerous music albums had been well received by the music lovers. A number of awards have been bestowed on him for his outstanding contribution to music. After his the brief address, the talented artist mesmerised the audience with a number of songs sung in his melodious voice. Pankaj Jeswani accepted the life membership of International Film & Television Club on this occasion.

SATISH KAUSHIK IN DELHI TO SELECT LEAD ACTORS FOR HIS NEXT FILM

The renowned film director Satish Kaushik will be holding a screen-test at the famous Marwah Studios in Noida Film City on coming Saturday the 2nd September, to select actors for playing the lead roles in a feature film which he will be directing. Marwah Studios is known for lending support to the filmmakers by providing indoor and outdoor shooting facilities as well trained professionals including actors. The matinee – idol R. Madhavan began his film career with the sequence of a feature film shot in Marwah Studios. Artistes like Kanika Maheshwari of BR Chopra's film Virasat, Hena and Swati who played lead roles in the feature film Pyaar Ki Dhun, renowned TV director Kaushik Ghatak of Saas Bhee Kabhi Bahu Thee, Sanskriti and Sanjeevani fame had been trained at the world famous Asian Academy of Film & Television – an offshoot of Marwah Studios. Satish Kaushik who had directed super hit films like Mujhe Kuch Kahna Hai and Hamaara Dil Apke Paas Hai in the past hopes that this well planned feature film will greatly entertain the local and the diasporic Indians alike.

ACTING IS AN IMMENSELY SATISFYING PROFESSION - SANJAY KAPOOR The well known cine actor Sanjay Kapoor said that in addition to inculcating the ability to portray believable characters on the screen or stage, training for acting is greatly helpful in developing the necessary confidence to face an audience. He was addressing the students of the world renowned Asian School of Media Studies and Asian Academy of Film & Television. Answering questions suave and handsome Sanjay Kapoor said he had been greatly influenced by the work of legendary Raj Kapoor. Conceding that a contact in the entertainment industry is helpful to a degree, the talented actor remarked that it only one's professional competence which stands an individual in a good stead. He cited Shahrukh Khan to emphasise his views in the matter. Sanjay Kapoor further stated that like cutting and polishing a raw diamond, even the naturally born performing artistes require initial training. Regular physical exercise, a proper diet and adequate sleep are necessary to keep an actor in good shape, he remarked.. Complementing Prof. Sandeep Marwah on making Asian School of Media Studies as one of the best Study Centres of Punjab Technical University in India, Sanjay Kapoor promised his full support to the students of this media school in Mumbai based entertainment industry. AAFT'S 52nd Batch Inaugurated Renowned film producer of popular films like Love In Nepal, Bharat Bhagya Vidhata, Return Of Jewel Thief, T P Aggarwal was the chief guest at AAFT's inaugural function for start of its 52nd batch here recently. Congratulating the students on launch of their 52nd batch, he referred to the needs of the indian film industry mentioning that the entertainment industry that stood at Rs 35000 crores was poised to grow beyond Rs 85000 crores by 2010. Paramjit Singh of Golden Melodies, a well known organization engaged in promotion of new artistes and which has promoted artistes like Daler Mehndi and Mikka emphazized on the need of Training in Film and Television trade. Sonia mehta, a well known lawyer and an educationist representing Dien Ccarneige School of Motivation inspired the students with her invigorating address. Social worker Tirlok Sharma and renowned Painter Kishore Roy were also present on the occasion.   AAFT Marches Ahead of Convocation of its 51st Batch Senior cinematographer and president of WICA, Adeep Tandon was the chief guest at the Convocation Ceremonies for the 51st batch of AAFT at film city in Noida recently. While announcing an open invitation to all the camera students of AAFT to become members WICA, Adeep Tandon, who has been associated with successful films like Saraansh, Thikaana,......, said that AAFT could be compared with any of the best available institutes of Film and Television Training in the world today and that he was immensely impressed with its standards of excellence in all walks of education and training. Addressing the audience assembled, Adeep shared a number of his valuable experiences from the film industry especially for the benefit of the passing batch. Renowned singer Altaaf Hussain from Afghanistan, present on the occasion said that he was indeed highly moved by the Guru Shishiya prampara so evident at the two institutes. Well known journalist and a TV personality today; Santosh Bharti, former Engineer in Chief (Doordarshan) R K Gupta, Dr Loveleen Thadani, a former student of AAFTand now a well known producer director of films also addressed the students on this occasion.   Israel cultural ambassadors visit ASMS/AAFT Gil Alon, renowned zen master, singer, actor and theatre director from Israeil and Tammy Benhaim, Academic and Cultural affairs Head of the embassy of Israel in India were recently the distinguished guests of honour at ASMS/AAFTA. The duo graced the institutes at a seminar and an interactive program organized by AAFT & ASMS jointly on Culture Exchange in all facets of film, television and theatre productions between the two nations. A large faculty representing both the institutes participated in the seminar. Gil Alon handled each and every question fielded to the distinguished guests with great aplomb. On behalf of ASMS and AAFT, Prof Kalyan Sarkar, Prof A K Guha, Prof Satish Garg and Prof Suresh Jangida briefed Mr Gil Alon with the fast changing trends in the field of film and television production in India. Tammy Benhaim invited Prof Sandeep Marwah to Israeil on the occasion of the forthcoming Israeli Film Festival and also threw open her offer of collaborations with the Israeli film schools for both the ASMS and AAFT. Both the guests were also presented with the prestigious life memberships of AAFT's International Film and Television Club by Prof Sandeep Marwah before a formal vote of thanks Sri Devi dazzles at ASMS/AAFT Heartthrob of the cine world, SriDevi Kapoor recently visited the world renowned Asian Academy of Films and Television and the Asian School of Media Studies, India's first premier institute for nuturing Management professionals with a full time three years Bachelor's and two years post graduate, Master's courses in Media Management at the film city in Noida. Heartthrob of the cine world, SriDevi Kapoor recently visited the world renowned Asian Academy of Films and Television and the Asian School of Media Studies, India's first premier institute for nuturing Management professionals with a full time three years Bachelor's and two years post graduate, Master's courses in Media Management at the film city in Noida. The occasion was the launch of the institues' new prospectus by Sri Devi alongwith AAFT's director Prof Sandeep Marwah. The glittering ceremony was attended by a packed house of a number of other celebrities and intellectuals from the NCR. Sri Devi congratulated Prof Marwah for having raised AAFT to the first ten best film institutes in the world as recently rated by the last cine premier magazine published from Hollywood. AAFT & ASMS are together offering a bouquet of nearly 25 highly specialized and advance media courses with its alumini having stormed into every conceivable channel in the country today. The new courses which were launched at this function include full time post graduate level degree/diploma offerings in advertising, mass communication and multi media. Fresh with the roaring success of her latest TV serial,Hamari Bahu Malini Iyer, Sri Devi got a standing ovation from the jam packed house as Prof Marwah announced that she was the only living legend on this planet who had acted in as many as 400 plus movies already.   Neetu Chandra Visits AAFT The noted and upcoming film actress Neetu Chandra stated that a film professional has to be enthusiastic as well as hard working. She was addressing the students of Asian School of Media Studies and Asian Academy of Film & Television. The actress who had a box office hit Garam Masala  - Complemented president of the two institutions Sandeep Marwah, she said media schools indeed prepare actors and filmmakers to face the challenges of the industry with confidence. There was a huge pomp and show and the National Press was also a part of the event. For her future projects Madhur Bhandarkar has singed her for his forthcoming film Signal. She is also doing a movie with Shahrukh Khan. She accepted the life membership of International Film & TV Research Center.

Oxford Business College Honors first ever Indian Media Personality In a rare and unprecedented gesture Oxford Business College of the UK honored Sandeep Marwah by the award of their prestigious Masters of Business Administration degree. A special convocation was held last week in the world renowned city of learning Oxford –to honor him in person. Conferring the degree Stanley Hunter of the Oxford Business College complimented Sandeep Marwah for taking large step in atisfying a central human interest of empowerment to profess a vocation in life. Asian School of Media Studies and Asian Academy of film and television set up by Sandeep Marwah have indeed become favored destinations for the aspirants of a career in the media industries, he added. Speaking on this occasion Sandeep Marwah remarked than an entirely new and sound Indo-British relationship based on mutual respect is fast emerging .A cultural show was also staged by the students to mark this occasion.

Laura Bush Visits Film City After attending a ceremonial reception with cavalry soldiers, a gunsalute and a military honor guard for President Bush at New Delhi'spresidential palace, Mrs. Bush was to break away from the presidentialentourage. It is her first visit to India. Her first stop is Film City, an enclave of television studios in New Delhi's eastern suburb of Noida,where Mrs. Bush took part in a shootof "Galli Galli Sim Sim," an Indian take on the hugely popular puppetshow. The episode is expected to reach an estimated 40 millionhouseholds when it airs in the coming months. Briefing the press Sandeep Marwah Spokesperson of Noida Film City saidthat the show is centered on Chamki, a girl who lives by herself on anarrow street with her friends, and is partly funded by the U.S. government and It is aimed at India's 157 million children under age 6.

Atul Sabharwal Student of Production /Direction & TV Journalism Writer - filmography My Wife's Murder (2005) (written by) Phir Milenge (2004) (screenplay and dialogue) Darna Mana Hai (2003) (written by) Supari (2003) (additional dialogue) For More Information Please Visit http://us.imdb.com/name/nm1387177/