Lok Sabha Question No. 2801 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-08-06
Subject: WAVES 2025
Ministry: INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING
Asked by: Shri Bunty Vivek Sahu, Shri Dileshwar Kamait

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF INFORMATION & BROADCASTING

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2801 TO BE ANSWERED ON 06.08.2025

## WAVES 2025

## 2801: Shri Dileshwar Kamait:

Shri Bunty Vivek Sahu:

Will the Minister of INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING be pleased to state:

- a) the  main  objectives  of  organising  the  World  Audio-Visual  and  Entertainment Summit, 2025;
- b) the expected impact of the summit on Media and entertainment sector of the country and the manner in which Ministry is observing it;
- c) the  initiatives  taken  by  the  Government  to  promote  business  opportunities  and  to exhibit creative capabilities and cultural diversity of the country on the international platform;
- d) whether the Government proposes to introduce any regional level scheme to connect the youth and creative enterprises of Madhya Pradesh including Chhindwara with the media and entertainment sector; and
- e) if so, whether the Government proposes to launch or proposed to be launched any programme  related  to  filmmaking,  skill  development  or  media  education  in Chhindwara district and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER  OF  STATE  FOR  INFORMATION  &  BROADCASTING  AND PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS (DR. L. MURUGAN)

## (a)  to (e):

The World Audio Visual & Entertainment Summit (WAVES) 2025 was organized in line with the Prime Minister's vision of making India a global hub of content creation. It brought together creators, policymakers, industry leaders, media platforms and technology pioneers on a single platform.

WAVES provided a platform for Indian creators to connect with new technologies, investors, producers and buyers. It saw participation of more than 1 lakh people from over 100 countries.

The event featured more than 140 sessions including 50 plenaries, 35 masterclasses and 55 breakout sessions with participation from global industry leaders.

## Salient features of WAVES 2025:

- Global Media Dialogue: Key stakeholders, including government and private sector representatives,  discussed  the  evolving  role  of  media  &  entertainment.  WAVES Declaration was adopted to promote media for peace and digital inclusion.
- WaveX: Platform for startup-led innovation in the M&E sector. It included a two-day live pitching event where startups presented ideas to investors.
- WAVES  Bazaar: Enabled  over  3  thousand  B2B  meetings  by  functioning  as  a marketplace for scripts, music, comics and AV rights, creating new revenue streams.
- Economic and Strategic Outcomes: MoUs worth Rs 8 thousand crore were signed for investments in film cities, creative tech education and live entertainment infrastructure.
- Create in India Challenge (CIC): A nationwide next-generation creative talent hunt across 34 creative categories like animation, gaming, AR/VR and music. It attracted over 1 lakh registrations from creators from around the world.
- Creatosphere: Masterclasses,  competitions  and  live  showcases  were  hosted  to highlight India's next-gen creative talent.
- Bharat Pavilion: It offered an immersive experience into India's storytelling legacy by projecting India's soft power and cultural leadership globally.
- 8th  National  Community  Radio  Conference: 12  stations  received  the  National Community Radio Awards for innovation and inclusivity in community broadcasting.

The  Government  continues  to  strengthen  talent  and  infrastructure  across  the  country through  national-level  initiatives  like  Create  in  India  Challenge,  WAVEX  and  Waves Bazaar which are open to participants from all regions.

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