Mumbai, May 1 — Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the inaugural World Audio-Visual and Entertainment Summit (WAVES) on Thursday, declaring that the time is right for India to embrace the philosophy of “Create in India, Create for the World.” As per agency report, the Prime Minister emphasized the nation's growing role as a global hub for storytelling, digital content, fashion, gaming, and live performances.
Speaking at the event, Modi highlighted WAVES as a platform that will lay the foundation for a global ecosystem of talent and creativity. He noted that in a world actively seeking new formats of storytelling, India is uniquely positioned to make significant contributions, thanks to its rich cultural heritage and creative potential.
The Prime Minister underscored the importance of creative responsibility in the age of rapid technological change. While technology plays a pivotal role in modern life, he urged content creators to ensure that human emotions remain central, warning against a future where “humans become robots.” He called for efforts to shield younger generations from dehumanizing ideologies and preserve their emotional intelligence.
Modi’s comments come amid ongoing national debates over the influence of controversial online content, with the Supreme Court recently seeking the government's response on the matter.
Describing WAVES as more than just an acronym, the Prime Minister said it represents a wave of culture, creativity, cinema, music, gaming, and storytelling. He stated that even though the size of screens is shrinking, the impact and scope of Indian storytelling is expanding globally. Drawing a parallel with the worldwide popularity of Indian cuisine, Modi said he believes Indian music and stories will also capture global attention.
He emphasized that India is not only a nation of over a billion people but also a nation of over a billion stories. The WAVES summit, he said, aims to unite global creators, startups, industry professionals, and policymakers with the goal of transforming India into a global centre for media, entertainment, and digital innovation.
