Norwagian Technology, PIQL, to preserve Gandhiji’s Films for more than 1000 Years

Gandhi Film Foundation (GFF) & Piql Norway proudly announces their association to preserve the Gandhi Films Foundation Films for more than 1000 Years with Piql Technology.

An Announcement about this association was jointly made on 2nd October last year. On the Birth Anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi by Mr. Nitin Potdar, Chairman of Gandhi Films Foundation from Mumbai, India & Mr. Rune Bjerkestrand Managing Director, Piql, AS from Drammen, Norway.

We are happy to announce that this project has been completed now & the following two films selected for the project are handed over by Piql Representative from India Mr. Ramesh Bajaj to Mr.Nitin Potdar, Chairman, Gandhi Films Foundation on 3rd October 2022,154th Birth Anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi. One more copy of the prints will be stored at sub-zero temperature at Piql’s Arctic World Archive (AWA) in Norway. The rights of these Films will always remain with Gandhi Films Foundation.

This is the first such attempt from India to preserve the digital audio-visual data of scanned 35mm films by Piql’s unique technology for long term preservation. Mr. Ujwal Nirgudkar, Trustee, Gandhi Films Foundation has taken the initiative for this project. Mr. Subhash Jaykar, Trustee from Gandhi Films Foundation selected these two films for this project. Mr. Ravish Mehra C.E.O. Piql India, co-ordinated with Piql, Norway for this project.

1)Documentary on Round Table Conference in London (1930-1932). This documentary also consists of Gandhiji’s visit to Switzerland & Italy. Majority of the Audio content is in English.

Duration- 14Mins.

2)Documentary on Salt March (Dandi March),(12 March 1930) Noukhali, Gujarat, India Audio in Hindi & English

Duration 11 Mins.

Piql’s technology and process is a new patented solution of writing digital data on black & white film, which has a life of more than 1000 Years. This life can be extended further if the recorded film is stored at sub-zero temperature at Piql’s Arctic World Archive (AWA) in Norway.

Mr. Nitin Potdar, Chairman Gandhi Films Foundation, Mumbai quoted “The Films of Gandhiji contain his valuable teachings which needs to be preserved for our future generations and if we don’t do it, I guess we would be failing in our duty towards our Country.”

Mr Rune Bjerkestrand, Managing Director, Piql, Norway said “We are delighted to be supporting this project and preserving this prestigious audio-visual documentation of Mahatma Gandhi for the cultural heritage for the future”.

Keerti Kadam.