Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the first-ever World Audio Visual and Entertainment Summit (WAVES) 2025 in Mumbai on May 1, 2025, marking a significant step in positioning India as a global hub for media, entertainment, and digital innovation. This four-day summit, hosted at the Jio World Centre in Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC), is themed “Connecting Creators, Connecting Countries” and is expected to boost India’s creative economy. For aspirants preparing for competitive exams like UPSC, SSC, and Banking, understanding this event is crucial for current affairs.
Key Highlights of WAVES 2025
- Objective: The summit aims to integrate traditional and emerging media sectors, including films, OTT platforms, gaming, comics, digital media, AI, animation, visual effects, and extended reality (AVGC-XR), to foster innovation and global collaboration.
- Participants: Over 10,000 delegates from 90+ countries, including 1,000 creators, 350+ startups, and 300+ companies. Notable attendees include top actors like Amitabh Bachchan, Rajinikanth, Mohanlal, Hema Malini, and Chiranjeevi, along with ministerial-level officials from 33 countries.
- Events: The summit will feature 42 plenary sessions, 39 breakout sessions, and 32 masterclasses, covering topics like broadcasting, digital innovation, and the future of theatrical releases.
- Bharat Pavilion: PM Modi will unveil the Bharat Pavilion, themed “Kala to Code,” showcasing India’s storytelling legacy through four immersive zones.
- Create in India: The PM will interact with young creators participating in 31 “Create in India” challenges at the Creatosphere and present awards to winners.
- Economic Impact: WAVES aims to unlock a $50 billion market by 2029, strengthening India’s position in the global entertainment economy.
Did You Know? The summit opens with a performance by Oscar-winning composer M M Keeravaani and a 30-member orchestra, followed by “Sutradhar Reinvented,” a sensory-rich journey into India’s cinematic heritage narrated by Sharad Kelkar.
Significance for India
WAVES 2025 aligns with PM Modi’s vision of leveraging creativity, technology, and talent to drive economic growth. Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw will also address the inaugural session, emphasizing Mumbai’s role as the hub of India’s entertainment industry. The summit will host the Global Media Dialogue (GMD) for the first time, with participation from 25 countries, highlighting India’s growing influence in global media.
Why It Matters for Competitive Exams
Questions related to major summits, India’s cultural and economic initiatives, and government-led projects are common in competitive exams. WAVES 2025 is a landmark event that showcases India’s soft power and economic ambitions, making it a potential topic for current affairs sections in exams like UPSC, SSC, Banking, and State PCS. Key points to remember include the summit’s theme, objectives, notable participants, and its projected economic impact.
Exam Tip: Focus on the summit’s role in promoting India’s media and entertainment sector globally, its alignment with “Viksit Bharat” (Developed India), and its potential to create jobs and drive innovation.
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