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t h r e e
T
he Second leg of Information Technology
(
IT) and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pramod Mahajan’s Australian tour was action-
packed, with plenty to write home about. The minister began his day with a visit
to a hi-tech computer animation studio called Animal Logic. The rather uniquely
named animation house owes its appellation to its two promoters—one a techie
computer nerd who prefers to address himself as Logic, and the other, a specialist
in sound who goes by the nickname Animal!
Animal Logic then proved to be a mesmerizing experience for the minister.
Mr. Mahajan, an IT enthusiast, went into details of understanding how computer
animation is done and how visual effects are created using techno tools. As the
minister has been heading the Information & Broadcasting (I&B) Ministry earlier,
he was able to comprehend the synergy between the film and IT industries. Quick
on the uptake, Mr. Mahajan pointed out to Animal Logic the immense advantages
of collaborating with animation majors in India and the Indian movie industry.
As it is, over the last few months, many Indian movie makers are shooting
their films in Australia and New Zealand. The riveting natural beauty of
Australia in particular, coupled with the attractions that a depreciating Australian
dollar holds, are making the country a logical first choice for filmmakers.
The message of the minister is likely to go a long way in convincing the movie
industries of both countries to collaborate, pool in their resources and shoot more
films in Kangaroo land.
Following his trip down animation lane, the minister undertook a speedy
tour of the Parliament of New South Wales, where he met up with the local
IT Minister. During the interaction, the minister came up with a great idea
(
which was readily accepted), that centered around IT tie-ups between New South
Wales and the State of Maharashtra. Mr. Mahajan even went to the extent of
suggesting a “sister city” concept between Sydney and Mumbai. Yesterday, too,
in true bipartisan style (as both Maharashtra and Karnataka have Congress
Governments in the saddle), the minister had stated that Victoria should build
links with the IT-friendly state of Karnataka.
On Pramod Mahajan’s Trail Down Under!
Forging the India-Australia Connection
The Financial Express April 12, 2001
