Film festival felicitates social workers, environmentalists

KOLHAPUR: The fifth Kirloskar-Vasundhara International Film Festival witnessed a rousing response on day two of the event on Friday at the Shahu Smarak Bhavan. The day marked the screening of nine films and felicitation of the city's environmentalists and social workers at the packed auditorium. Kolhapur Municipal Corporation (KMC) commissioner Vijayalakshmi Bidari was the chief guest at the programme.
Environmentalists Milind Yadav, and Gajanan Joshi, along with the non-governmental organization (NGO) Devrai Sanstha, were felicitated with the Vasundhara Mitra award, while Ranita Chaugule, Aba Kamble, Ujjwal Nageshkar, Bharat Patil and Bhagyashri Patil were felicitated with the Vasundhara Gaurav award.
Vijayalakshmi Bidari emphasized that citizen participation in keeping the environment safe is quite necessary. "The environment awareness in the city is quite high. The increased number of idol donations during the Ganesh festival
are proof of this," Bidari said.
Dilip Bapat, secretary, Kalamaharshi Baburao Painter Film Society, Kolhapur, said, "Over 800 people have registered for the festival. Other than films, we have organized a students' parliament on Saturday at the D Y Patil College. City environmentalists will be delivering lectures on e-waste and a demonstration on the preparation of natural colours is on the cards."
As many as 35 films will be screened at the festival this year, ranging from 60 seconds to 60 minutes in length. There is no entry fee for the festival; registrations are required to be a part of the fest, said organizers.