''''1957: Key Events''' * The first Communist ministry is formed in Kerala, led by E. M. S. Namboodiripad. * Food prices increase by 50% since 1955, forcing the government to import wheat commercially from Australia and to accept aid under the controversial PL 480 agreement with the USA. * The Indian Navy purchases the British aircraft carrier Hercules. * All-India Radio starts its ‘light entertainment’ Vividh Bharati channel, later becoming its commercial channel, emphasising film-based entertainment. * [[Jagte Raho]] wins first prize in Karlovy Vary and [[Aparajito]] in Venice; [[Kabuliwala]] receives a special mention for music in Berlin. * [[Mother India]] is released. * [[Pardesi]] is the first Indo-Soviet co-production. * Raw stock is declared an essential commodity and its import is centrally controlled. Dealers are forced to declare their stocks. * The Cinematograph Bill, intended to start a national film board, production bureau and film institute, is withdrawn. * [[Chidananda Das Gupta]], [[Satyajit Ray]], [[Mrinal Sen]] and others start the Indian Film Quarterly.