"The government is to allow public screening of an Indian movie for the first time in decades, but a general ban on Bollywood films remains intact," officials said on Monday.Cinemas will be permitted to show Sohni Mahiwal, a 1984 love story, Film Censor Board Chairman Ziauddin said. The distributor of the film said he had received a special exemption to screen it after appealing to President Pervez Musharraf. "The government has allowed the exhibition of only one Indian movie, Sohni Mahiwal, on the basis of a court decision," said Mr Ziauddin.

He said media reports that the government had removed ban on Bollywood films were "incorrect" and that they would remain illegal in Pakistan. He said the normal guidelines for Indian films were relaxed in this case because the film was a co-production between India and the then Soviet Union. Distributor Ali Zafar said he imported the film in 1989.

I reland is all set to lure Indian travellers to its shores. Tourism Ireland, the organisation engaged in "marketing the island of Ireland overseas," is gearing up to introduce the Indian market to the beauty, culture and rich heritage of Ireland.

During the official visit of Irish Prime Minister Bertie Ahern T.D. at the Maurya Sheraton in the capital recently, Mr John O. Donghue T.D., minister for arts, sports and tourism, Ireland, said, "India has always been visible in Ireland in the form of Indian hotels and restaurants. Besides, we are also great fans of the Bollywood films. Due to globalisation, things are changing and geographical boundaries have ceased to matter. The travel opportunities have also increased manifold." Mr Paul O’Toole, chief executive, Tourism Ireland said, "The year 2006 would see many drives to familiarise the Indian holiday makers with Irish potential as a tourist hotspot. We have already brought many travel agents and tour operators on familiarisation trips. Beginning from this year, about 20 agents will be including Ireland in their programmes."

The Irish government is also trying to step up the cultural exchanges that invariably increase the tourist inflow and outflow. "The greater exchange at the social level would lead to greater understanding. We are targeting at a 10 per cent growth in the tourism sector over the years," John added.