Kolkata, Nov 01: The Mother Teresa International Film Festival, 2003, was inaugurated at a star-studded function here today, marking the beginning of a nine-day celebration to observe the beatification of the Nobel laureate nun. The mood for the occasion was set with the screening of a documentary on mother inside the packed new empire cinema after which, actress-filmmaker Aparna Sen inaugurated the festival by lighting a lamp in presence of actress Moon Moon Sen, singer Usha Uthup, Kolkata archbishop Lucas Sirkar and bishop Stephen of Shillong. In a moving pre-inauguration ceremony, Sumona, an inmate of one of the missionaries of charity homes for destitute children, lit a candle and lighted lamps held by archbishop Sirkar, bishop Stephen, Aparna Sen, Moon Moon Sen, Usha Uthup and former film censor board member Jatin Sarkar, as Sr Prerna of MC read out a prayer of St Francis of Assisi. Breaking down into tears after the inauguration, Aparna Sen, who shook the conscience of the country with her film, 'Mr and Mrs Iyer,' said, "to me she is already a saint.
"Of course, it will be an honour to her if she is given sainthood, but the important thing about someone who is good is that she should be emulated. Why put her on a pedestal in a manner that it sends a message to the world that no one can emulate her?" she said.
Bureau Report