Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw Visits SRFTI Kolkata

​The Minister, who also serves as the Chancellor of SRFTI, interacted with students, reviewed academic facilities, and inaugurated a World Environment Day exhibition.
Kolkata, June 6, 2026:
​Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw, Union Minister for Railways, Electronics & Information Technology, and Information & Broadcasting, visited the Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute (SRFTI) in Kolkata today. SRFTI is a premier institution for film education and practice in Eastern India.
​Shri Vaishnaw also serves as the Chancellor of SRFTI, which was granted the status of an "Institution Deemed to be a University" under the 'Distinct Category' by the Ministry of Education in April 2025. This marks his maiden visit to the campus since the institute received its deemed university status.
​Honoring a Legend and Promoting Green Initiatives
​The Union Minister commenced his visit by paying floral tributes to the statue of legendary filmmaker Satyajit Ray, after whom the institute is named. Underscoring the government's commitment to environmental conservation, he also planted a Chhatim (Devil's tree) sapling on the campus premises.
​To mark the occasion, the Minister inaugurated a week-long exhibition organized as part of the World Environment Day celebrations. The exhibition showcases photographs and paintings created by students, faculty members, and staff, highlighting crucial environmental themes and the rich biodiversity of the SRFTI campus.
​Reviewing Campus Facilities and Student Interactions
​During his tour, Shri Vaishnaw inspected various academic and technical facilities, observing firsthand the practical work, technical projects, and creative activities being undertaken by students across different departments.
​A key highlight of the visit was the Chancellor’s direct interaction with student representatives. Shri Vaishnaw listened intently to the issues and campus-related concerns raised by the students. He directed the concerned authorities to resolve these grievances in a time-bound manner and personally spoke with officials on the spot to expedite solutions for several pressing matters.
​Celebrating Cinematic Excellence
​The Minister also watched a curated selection of student-made films, highly praising the creativity, storytelling abilities, technical proficiency, and artistic excellence on display.
​Following this, he held a meeting with faculty members, officials, and staff to discuss various aspects of film, television, and media education, alongside research and skill development.
​Significance of the Visit:
This visit provided a valuable platform for constructive dialogue between the Chancellor and the student community. It reaffirms the Government of India's commitment to promoting excellence in higher education and film, television, and media studies.
​As one of the country's leading institutions in cinematic and media education, SRFTI continues to play a pivotal role in nurturing creative talent and contributing significantly to India's rapidly growing media and entertainment landscape.