Remarks at Inauguration Ceremony of Indian Film Festival 2026
Hotel Hyatt Regency, Tashkent; March 12, 2026
1. Welcome to the 2nd edition of the Sashakt Nari – an Indian Film Festival dedicated to women, their resilience, grit and aspirations. Let me first thank Mr. Shukratulla Rizayev, Director of the Cinematography Agency of Uzbekistan and Palace of National Cinematic Art for their incredible support. Mr. Umesh Mehra, the renowned Indian Film Maker is amongst us and needs no introduction in Uzbekistan. His film Ali Baba va Qirq Qaroqchi, a co-production between India and Uzbekistan could be actually referred to as a shared heritage. My heartfelt gratitude to all my women friends, Hon’ble Members of Parliament, friends from MOFA, representatives from the Ministry of Sports and Wrestling Federation of Uzbekistan, friends from the diplomatic community, representatives from the Committee of Women and Family Affairs, Business Association, film makers, artists and friends from the media for their presence and wonderful support.
2. India and Uzbekistan friendship is time tested. We have had continual exchanges of ideas, art and culture over centuries. Today, cinema has become one of the most powerful bridges connecting our people transcending language barriers and bringing together emotions and shared human experiences. As we talk on core issues relating to women, I recall the words of Erkin Vohidov who said, “Ayolga ta’zim Ayol dunyoning ko‘zgusi, Ayol qalbning eng nozik nidosi” – Woman is the mirror of the world, Woman is the finest voice of the heart. Zulfiya, one of the prominent female voices in Uzbek literature said, “Bahor keldi seni so‘roqlab, Salom aytib o‘tdi shamollar” – Spring has come, inquiring about you, greeting you, the winds have passed by.
3. Friends, last year we showcased movies challenging gender sensitivity and stereotypes, issues relating to single mother and her challenges, struggle of a para-athlete and her fight for recognition. This year we bring an equally diverse mix of movies on women fighting gender biases to become successful wrestlers, Dangal movie is based on real life. Dear Zindagi is about mental health and emotions that we often hesitate to talk about. Tanvi the Great is a story of a young women’s resilience, Tanu Weds Manu is a hilarious and entertaining story of a woman who does not fit in, does not confirm to stereotypical norms. I hope these movies will make us reflect, generate and encourage honest conversations on women, their rights, their needs and their sense of being. I do strongly feel that issues relating to women deserve our collective energies and joint efforts. In India, a country of 1.4 billion people where women constitute about half of our population, tremendous efforts are underway. Things have changed on the ground towards fostering a more inclusive and equitable environment. We still have more work to do. In Uzbekistan, as we celebrate the spirit of Women’s Day, I recall the words of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev who has referred to women as creators of Yangi Uzbekistan and has repeatedly emphasized their role in country’s development. I am happy that we will be having a panel discussion in which the experts would speak on how women can transform social narratives and perspectives through cinema. I also want to mention that India and Uzbekistan are exploring new avenues of cooperation between women entrepreneurs, women players including hockey, wrestling and football. Also wanted to inform that we have amongst us women representatives from the Ministry of Finance who will be visiting India for the Women Leadership Programme. Under our capacity building exchanges, over the last few years, 2700 Uzbek nationals have visited India and more than 40% of them have been women. Our efforts will continue.
Last but not the least. Belated wishes to all of you my dear friends on International Women’s Day.
Yana bir muhim narsa. Aziz do‘stlarim, barchangizni o‘tib ketgan bo‘lsa-da, Xalqaro xotin-qizlar kuni bilan tabriklayman.
Hindiston va O’zbekistaon do’stona aloqalari abadiy bo’lsin!
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