Itanagar, May 15: The classes for the first batch of a short-term course at the Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute (SRFTI), Itanagar, began on its temporary campus here today.

The permanent campus of the institute is scheduled to come up at Jote in Papum Pare district soon.

The director of SRFTI, Calcutta, Debamitra Mitra, told the students that they would be remembered as pioneers in the fields of film and television in the state.

She urged the students to take the classes seriously adding that they might become the most sought-after directors in the future.

Throwing light on the objectives of opening the institute, Mitra said, the film industry offers ample opportunities and scope for the aspiring filmmakers and the basic nuances and intricacies of filmmaking would be taught by the professionally trained teachers.

Mitra thanked the state's information and broadcasting minister and the department of information and public relation (IPR) for initiating the ambitious venture.

She said all important ventures have a humble beginning and hoped that the small but significant beginning would grow in strength and attract more students to the institute.

The function was attended, among others, by IPR director Obang Tayeng, his deputy Denhang Bosai and a host of other guests.

RBI office plea

Arunachal Pradesh has sought an RBI office at Itanagar.

In a letter written to Reserve Bank of India governor Urjit R. Patel, chief minister Pema Khandu said an RBI office at Itanagar will strengthen the financial institutions and streamline other financial transactions in the state.

Khandu said, "Arunachal Pradesh is a strategically important state and its geographical remoteness is aggravated by the fact that in several parts of the state, there is poor road and telecom connectivity. The rural habitations with sparse population make banking extremely difficult. I would like to underscore that there are only 182 branches of various banks and a mere 223 ATMs in the entire state, mostly concentrated in the district headquarters."

"Unfortunately most of the banks are reluctant to move beyond urban settlements and there is very limited response to common service centres, given the low volumes of transaction," Khandu said.