Prime Minister Narendra Modi addresses the WAVES Summit, in Mumbai
Credit: PTI Photo
Mumbai: As India sets for a quantum leap in Orange Economy, Prime Minister Narendra Modi called for a strong focus on “creative responsibility” as technology will increasingly influence human lives in the days to come.
"This is the time of dawn of Orange Economy in India…content, creativity and culture are the three pillars of Orange Economy,” Modi said at the inauguration of the inaugural edition of World Audio Visual & Entertainment Summit (WAVES), which is designed to designed to propel India's Media & Entertainment (M&E) industry being held at the Jio Convention Centre in Mumbai.
At the event which has a tagline of “Connecting Creators, Connecting Countries", Modi stressed on the importance of art, music, dance, and storytelling, noting that these forms have kept human sensibilities alive for thousands of years.
“As technology increasingly influences human lives, extra efforts are needed to preserve emotional sensitivity and cultural richness,” said Modi.
“WAVES is not merely an acronym but a wave representing culture, creativity, and universal connectivity”, he remarked, further underlining that the summit showcases the expansive world of films, music, gaming, animation, and storytelling, offering a global platform for artists and creators to connect and collaborate.
“WAVES will serve as a major platform where Creativity meets Coding, Software blends with Storytelling, and Art merges with Augmented Reality,” he said.
Reflecting on the deep-rooted connection between creativity and human experience, stating that a child's journey begins with the lullaby of a mother, their first introduction to sound and music, Modi remarked that just as a mother weaves dreams for her child, creative professionals shape the dreams of an era. “The essence of WAVES lies in bringing together such visionary individuals who inspire and influence generations through their art,” he said.
The Prime Minister reiterated India’s vision of Create in India, Create for the World, asserting that the country’s storytelling tradition offers an invaluable treasure spanning thousands of years.
“India's stories are timeless, thought-provoking, and truly global, encompassing not just cultural themes but also science, sports, courage, and bravery,” he said and remarked that India’s storytelling landscape blends science with fiction, and heroism with innovation, forming a vast and diverse creative ecosystem.
He called upon the WAVES platform to take on the responsibility of sharing India’s extraordinary stories with the world, bringing them to future generations through new and engaging formats.
The PM said India's strength lies in respecting and celebrating global artistic achievements, reinforcing the country's commitment to creative collaboration.
Modi extended an invitation to the global creative community, assuring them that engaging with India’s stories would reveal narratives deeply resonant with their own cultures.
“India’s rich storytelling tradition carries themes and emotions that transcend borders, creating a natural and meaningful connection,” he said and remarked that international artists and creators who explore India’s stories will experience an organic bond with the nation’s heritage.
Emphasizing the immense potential of India’s creative economy, stating that in the coming years, its contribution to the country’s GDP is set to increase significantly, the Prime Minister remarked, “India is emerging as a global hub for film production, digital content, gaming, fashion, and music”.
Modi noted the promising growth opportunities in the live concert industry and the vast potential in the global animation market, which currently stands at over $430 billion and is projected to double in the next decade.
Calling upon India's young creators to drive the nation's Orange Economy forward, acknowledging that their passion and hard work are shaping a new wave of creativity, Modi emphasized that whether they are musicians from Guwahati, podcasters from Kochi, game designers in Bengaluru, or filmmakers in Punjab, their contributions are fueling India's growing creative sector.