New Delhi: In a significant move to bolster India’s burgeoning creators’ economy, Union Minister of Information and Broadcasting, Ashwini Vaishnaw, launched 25 challenges as part of the “Create in India Challenge – Season 1” for the upcoming World Audio Visual and Entertainment Summit (WAVES). The initiative, unveiled during a high-profile event, underscores the government’s commitment to fostering talent and innovation in the media and entertainment sectors.
A Reflection of a Growing Economy
Speaking at the launch event, Vaishnaw emphasized that the launch is a testament to India’s evolving economic landscape. “Today’s launch is a reflection of our growing and evolving economy,” he remarked, highlighting the emergence of a new creators’ economy, which has garnered recognition at the highest levels of government. This is evidenced by the introduction of the National Creators Award, first presented by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in March 2024.
Showcasing India’s Cultural Heritage
Vaishnaw underscored the immense potential within the creators’ economy to showcase India’s rich cultural heritage, diverse way of life, traditional medicine systems, and vibrant culinary traditions. “The creators’ economy has become a wonderful tool to showcase our rich cultural heritage, way of life, yoga, traditional medicine system, and diversity in our cuisines,” he said.
ALSO READ: Kerala Police Cracks Down on Online Gambling Scams
To further develop this sector, the government is focused on creating world-class talent development programs and infrastructure. Plans are underway to establish top-tier universities and facilities dedicated to enhancing the capabilities of creators in media and entertainment.
A Boost to Employment
The Union Minister also highlighted the potential for job creation within the media and entertainment sector, driven by new technologies and tools. “Filmmaking is one of the country’s strengths, and in today’s era, there is a great scope for using new technology and tools in this sector, ensuring a good scope for employment generation,” Vaishnaw stated. The initiative is expected to generate 2-3 lakh jobs, providing a significant boost to the economy.
A Collective Responsibility
While the potential of the creators’ economy is vast, Vaishnaw also stressed the importance of ensuring that society is not harmed in the process. “We have to ensure that our society is not harmed in this journey, and the responsibility lies not just with the government but also with society, industry, and all of us,” he said.
WAVES: A Global Platform for Creativity
WAVES is set to become a major event in the global media and entertainment landscape. The summit aims to serve as a platform where the brightest minds, most talented creators, and visionary leaders from around the world will converge to share knowledge, exchange ideas, and push the boundaries of creativity.
A Milestone for India’s Creative Ecosystem
Secretary of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Sanjay Jaju, described the initiative as a significant milestone in India’s mission to nurture and elevate its creative ecosystem. “It aligns seamlessly with our Prime Minister’s visionary call of ‘Design in India, Design for the World’ as articulated during his 78th Independence Day address,” Jaju said.
List of Challenges for ‘Create in India’ Season 1
The challenges, hosted by various industry associations and organizations, span a wide range of disciplines, including animation, filmmaking, gaming, music, and visual arts. Some of the key challenges include:
- Anime Challenge by Media and Entertainment Association of India
- Animation Filmmakers Competition by Dancing Atoms
- Game Jam by India Game Developer Conference
- Esports Tournament by Esports Federation of India
- City Quest: Shades of Bharat by E-gaming Federation
- Handheld Educational Video Game Development by Indian Digital Gaming Society
- Comics Creator Championship by Indian Comics Association
- Young Filmmakers Challenge by FICCI and Whistling Woods International
- XR Creator Hackathon by Wavelaps and XDG
- AI Film Making Competition by InVideo
This comprehensive list reflects the diversity of India’s creative talent and the government’s commitment to fostering innovation in this sector.
Looking Ahead
As registration for these challenges opens soon, all eyes are on WAVES and its potential to position India as a global hub for creative excellence. For further details and registration information, visit the official website: wavesindia.org.
