Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday inaugurated the first World Audio Visual and Entertainment Summit (WAVES) 2025 in Mumbai, marking the beginning of a four-day event to bring together the entire spectrum of the media and entertainment industry. While addressing the WAVES, PM Modi said that it is the "right time for 'Create in India, create for the world'."
PM Modi called WAVES a transformative platform that unites creators, storytellers, innovators, and policymakers from around the world.
"I always say, 'Yehi Samay Hai, Sahi Samay Hai'. It is the right time for create in India, create for the world. Today, when the world is searching for new ways of storytelling, India has a treasure of stories of thousands of years, and this treasure is timeless, thought-provoking and truly global," he said.
WAVES 2025 is being jointly organised by the central and state governments at the Jio World Convention Centre, Bandra Kurla Complex.
"Today, artists, innovators, investors, and policy makers from more than 100 nations have gathered under one roof. We are laying the foundation for a global ecosystem of talent and creativity. WAVES is such a global platform that belongs to every artist and creator," PM Modi said in a keynote address.
The summit, themed "Connecting Creators, Connecting Countries," is aimed at establishing India as a central hub in the global creative economy.
"In the coming years, the creative economy can increase its contribution to India's GDP...Today, India is emerging as a global hub for film production, digital content, gaming, fashion, music and live concerts...This is the dawn of the Orange Economy in India," PM Modi added.
The prime minister has set aside nearly 10 hours for WAVES where he is scheduled to chair a meeting with CEOs and industry leaders from the media and entertainment sector. He will also interact with young creators from across the world who have participated in 31 different 'Create in India' challenges at the Creatosphere, and also give away awards to the winners.