‘With creativity comes responsibility’: PM tells global content creators at mega entertainment summit
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday invited domestic and global creators to see India as their content playground even as he reminded them of their responsibilities as creators. Addressing the first World Audio Visual Entertainment Summit (WAVES) in Mumbai, the PM said, “With creativity comes responsibility.”
Detailing the phenomenal ten-fold rise in OTT space in a decade, Modi said extra efforts were needed to nurture and sustain human sensitivities in this age driven by technology. “Creative world alone can do that. We don’t have to turn humans into robots. We have to make humans sensitive and prosperous. This prosperity won’t come from mountains of information or technology. For this, we will have to stress the development of music and art which have for thousands of years preserved human emotions," PM said, while addressing top global creators, Indian actors, composers, singers and industrialists.
Modi especially warned against the negative impact of technology on young minds and said, “We have to protect our young generation from anti-human approaches and narratives. If we fail here, it would be lethal for us."
Inviting the world leaders to create in India, the PM delivered four messages at the summit. “To content creators I will say make Bharat your content playground. To the creators of the world, dream big and tell your stories. To investors, invest not just in platforms but in people. To the youth of India, tell one billion untold stories," said the PM.
The PM said India’s journey towards Viksit Bharat has just begun. “India is moving towards becoming the third largest economy in the world. India ranks number one in fintech adoption rate. India is the second largest mobile manufacturer. India has the third largest startup ecosystem in the world. Our journey of Viksit Bharat has just begun! This is the right time to create in India," he said.
Earlier, the summit began with a stirring invocation by Academy Award winner MM Keeravani and a performance by a 30-member orchestra highlighting India’s cinematic and storytelling traditions.
The summit aims at positioning India as a global hub for media, entertainment and digital innovation by bringing together creators, startups, industry leaders and policymakers from across the world.
Film star Shah Rukh Khan welcomed the guests including PM Modi, Maharashtra Governor CP Radhakrishnan, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Union Ministers Ashwini Vaishnaw, S Jaishankar and L Murugan, and Deputy Chief Ministers Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar. Meanwhile, many Bollywood celebrities were seen in attendance.
The 30-member orchestra, ‘Sutradhar Reinvented’, showcased a sensory-rich journey into India’s cinematic and storytelling DNA narrated by Sharad Kelkar.
WAVES will integrate films, OTT, gaming, comics, digital media, AI, AVGC-XR, broadcasting and emerging tech, and seek to present itself as a comprehensive showcase of India’s media and entertainment prowess.
WAVES aims to unlock a USD 50 billion market by 2029, expanding India’s footprint in the global entertainment economy.
WAVES Cultural & Concerts, held alongside the summit, celebrates India’s spirit through a vibrant blend of music, dance and storytelling, showcasing classical dances like kathak, folk vitality and martial forms like kalaripayattu.
Under the theme “Connecting Creators, Connecting Countries," the Summit seeks to unite artistes in Mumbai with collaborations such as KING and Alan Walker, and Dharavi Dream Project with Beatpella House.
Performances such as Sri Lanka’s majestic Ves Dance, Egypt’s mesmerising Al-Tanoura, Malaysia’s rhythmic Zapin, Mexico’s soulful melodies, and Indonesia’s intricate Balinese dances will showcase a world of cultural richness during the four-day summit.
(With inputs from PTI)
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