City to soon have its own int’l fest, gets state’s nod

Mumbai: The state cabinet on Wednesday cleared the proposal to set up the Mumbai International Festival Foundation which will organise the Mumbai International Festival. The festival will span across nine days from the third Saturday to the fourth Sunday of January every year. Officials said Industrialist Anand Mahindra will be the Chairperson of this foundation, besides Sachin Tendulkar, Harsh Jain, Amitabh Chaudhry, entrepreneur and film producer Ronnie Screwvala, Parth Sinha and Neerja Birla will be part of the foundation. Chief Secretary Manoj Saunik will be co-chairman. “Other senior officers will also be in this committee. The festival will be planned in such a way as to promote the development of different tourist spots in Mumbai and the state and to attract the maximum number of tourists,” an official said. Officials said the foundation is being set up to continue this festival with public participation.