ITANAGAR : Union Minister of State (MoS) for Petroleum and Natural Gas and Tourism Suraj Gopi held an interactive meeting with Arunachal Pradesh Trade and Commerce, Industries and Skill Development Minister Nyato Dukam and senior officials during his visit to the state to review the functioning of the Film and Television Institute (FTI), Itanagar.
During the meeting, Gopi emphasised the need for coordinated efforts by all stakeholders to develop the Film and Television Institute into a centre of excellence and a major national asset in the region.
Highlighting the importance of supporting infrastructure around the institute, Gopi stressed the need for establishing a Community Health Centre in the area, considering the presence of institutions such as the FTI, National Institute of Technology (NIT) and Law College, as well as the distance from major hospitals.
The MoS also underscored the necessity of setting up a police outpost to maintain law and order, stating that any untoward incident at such a nationally important institution could have wider implications. The minister further called for expediting road connectivity and water supply arrangements for the institute.
Referring to the tourism potential of the region, Gopi said the sector remained largely untapped and required focused development initiatives.
The Union Minister also stressed the importance of skill development programmes for rural communities to promote self-reliance and sustainable livelihoods. During his visit to the Civil Secretariat park in Itanagar, he gave a practical demonstration highlighting the productive uses of banana peels.
Meanwhile, Dukam assured all possible support for the growth and development of the Film and Television Institute and related infrastructure.
Among those present at the meeting were Education Commissioner Amjad Tak, Home and Intellectual Property Rights Commissioner Nyali Ete, Industries, Textiles and Skill Development Commissioner Mimum Tayeng, Tourism Secretary R Ngowa, Inspector General of Police Chukhu Apa, besides directors, faculty members and officials of the Film and Television Institute.
