Ministry of Information and Broadcasting today marked a significant milestone in the lead-up to the World Audio Visual & Entertainment Summit (WAVES) with the launch of major initiatives at the National Media Centre, New Delhi by Ashwini Vaishnaw, Union Minister of Information & Broadcasting, Railways and Electronics & Information Technology and Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Union Minister of Culture & Tourism.
Sanjay Jaju, Secretary, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Shri Arunish Chawla, Secretary, Ministry of Culture. Indian Filmmaker Shekhar Kapur and Gaurav Dwivedi, CEO Prasar Bharati were also present at the launch.
Transforming India Into A Global Capital Of The Creator Economy
Echoing the Prime Minister’s vision, of establishing the World Audio Visual & Entertainment Summit (WAVES) as a summit of global repute, akin to the Davos Economic Forum, the Union Minister of Information and Broadcasting, mentioned that this effort is part of a broader strategy to highlight India’s creative economy, which is rich with tradition, storytelling, and cultural significance—elements of what is globally recognized as the ‘Orange Economy.’
“Our rich culture, which once resonated in the halls of the Chicago World’s Fair through Swami Vivekananda, is today being carried forward by our Prime Minister on the global stage, through initiatives like yoga, culture, creativity, and Ayurveda,” stated Sh. Ashwini Vaishnaw. “WAVES is an extension of this effort, aiming to make India the global capital of the creator economy.”, he added.
The Union Ministers launched WAVES Bazaar, 3 Create in India Challenges, WAVES Awards and also announced one more Challenge.
WAVES Bazaar: Harnessing the potential of creative economy
The event witnessed the unveiling of the WAVES Bazaar – Global e-Marketplace, a groundbreaking platform designed to connect India’s vast creative talent pool with international markets. The platform enables users to showcase their content, pitch projects, and build meaningful connections that transcend geographical boundaries. It simplifies global business interactions by offering tailored tools and resources, ensuring creators and businesses can expand their reach while discovering new opportunities for growth and success.
On this occasion, Secretary I&B mentioned that WAVES Bazaar is a transformative platform that will unite creators, buyers, and collaborators from across various entertainment sectors such as film, TV, music, esports, animation, visual effects, gaming, and comics. It will bridge geographical gaps, allowing creators to display their work and engage in meaningful B2B interactions.
WAVES Bazaar will also support brand collaborations, funding, and distribution, helping creators secure the backing they need to realise their ideas. This comprehensive e-marketplace will be an important tool to harness the potential of the budding creative economy in India. This platform will enable content creators to market their products, ideas and skills.
WAVES Awards
WAVES Awards are set to commence with nominations opening on February 15, 2025. Celebrating excellence across various creative disciplines, the WAVES Awards feature categories such as Game of the Year, Film of the Year, and Advertising Campaign of the Year. The awards also include Special Selection Awards, honouring lifetime achievements and significant impacts in fields like technology and social influence.
