Need to strengthen FTII, a strong board can help, says Infosys co-founder Narayan Murthy

MUMBAI: As the student's strike at the FTII sees no end in sight, Infosys co-founder Narayan Murthy today said there is a need to strengthen the institute and a strong board is one of the ways to achieve that.

Murthy, who took Infosys to great heights in his over three-decade long association with the company, said institutes like the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) need to be strengthened to match with the best internationally.

"One of the ways of doing it is having a board comprising experienced members," Murthy told reporters on the sidelines of an event of the filmmaker Subhash Ghai-promoted film school-- Whistling Woods.

"Other ways through which the quality of the reputed institutes can be bettered include focusing more on technology," he added.

Lamenting that there are very few film schools in the country, Murthy stressed on the need to have more such institutes.

However, Murthy declined to comment on the ongoing controversy at the institute in Pune over the appointment of Gajendra Chauhan as its chairman.

Ghai, who is an FTII alumni, said being a government-run institute it is natural for the state to make the appointments.

FTII students have been striking for over a month demanding a rollback on Chauhan's appointment. Academic activity on the sprawling campus has come to a standstill following the protest by the students, who allege that Chauhan, a BJP member, lacks credibility, stature and vision to head the premiere institute.

They've also objected to nominations of some members on the FTII Society, which elects its governing council.

An ultimatum was served on the agitating students on Wednesday asking them to call off the strike or face rustication.

The FTII Students Association yesterday asserted that they will continue the strike notwithstanding the warning till the government responds positively to their demands that include reconstitution of the FTII Society and keeping in suspended animation the current body.

A large number of Bollywood personalities, including Rishi Kapoor and Salman Khan have come out in support of the students demand for removal of Chauhan from the post.