Mumbai: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday heralded the dawn of the “Orange Economy” in India, emphasising the transformative power of content, creativity, and culture as its three pillars that will bring an economical boom in the country.
Inaugurating the WAVES 2025, India’s first-of-its-kind World Audio Visual and Entertainment Summit at the Jio World Centre here, the Prime Minister said that Indian content creators can showcase the country’s capabilities in various economic and technological sectors and celebrities from the Indian film industry can play a pivotal role in this sphere.
Highlighting a significant cultural shift, Modi pointed to the growing international trend of viewers watching Indian films with subtitles — a signal, he said, which signifies deeper engagement with Indian narratives.
Modi also highlighted the explosive growth of India’s OTT industry, which he said has grown tenfold in recent years. “While screen sizes may be shrinking, but the scope of content is infinite, with micro screens delivering mega messages,” he said, underlining the digital revolution’s impact on storytelling.
Stating that as Indian cuisine was becoming a global favourite, the Prime Minister expressed confidence that “Indian music will soon gain similar worldwide recognition”.
Emphasising the immense potential of India’s creative economy, Modi said, “In the coming years, its contribution to the country’s GDP is set to increase significantly. India is emerging as a global hub for film production, digital content, gaming, fashion, and music”.
He noted the promising growth opportunities in the live concert industry and the vast potential in the global animation market, which currently stands at over USD 430 billion and is projected to double in the next decade. Adding that, this presents a significant opportunity for India’s animation and graphics industry, he urged stakeholders to leverage this expansion for greater international reach.
Calling upon India’s young creators to drive the nation’s Orange Economy forward, Modi acknowledged their passion and hard work that were shaping a new wave of creativity. He said that whether they were musicians from Guwahati, podcasters from Kochi, game designers in Bengaluru, or filmmakers in Punjab, their contributions are fueling India’s growing creative sector.
The Prime Minister said that WAVES is not just an acronym, it is a wave of culture, creativity and universal connectivity.
“India with a billion plus population is also a land of billion plus stories and over a billion story tellers, every street, every river, every mountain in India carries a tale. Across more than six lakh villages, each one holds a new story, a fresh perspective truly India has much more to offer,” the Prime Minister said.
Highlighting the vastness of India’s cultural wealth, Modi said, “In India, even music is a form of spiritual practice. Every note tells a story, every rhythm has a soul. Be it a devotional Bhajan or a modern composition, the sound of India carries a touch of the divine”.
He assured that the government stands firmly behind creative professionals, supporting them through initiatives like Skill India, Startup Support, policies for the AVGC Industry, and global platforms like WAVES.
He asserted that every effort is being made to build an environment where innovation and imagination are valued, fostering new dreams and empowering individuals to bring those dreams to life.
Modi expressed his unwavering confidence in India’s content creators, highlighting that their free-flowing creativity is redefining the global creative landscape. He emphasised that the youthful spirit of India’s creators knows no barriers, boundaries, or hesitation, allowing innovation to thrive.
He remarked that through his personal interactions with young creators, gamers, and digital artists, he has witnessed firsthand the energy and talent emerging from India’s creative ecosystem. He acknowledged that India’s massive young population is driving new creative dimensions, from reels, podcasts, and games to animation, stand-up, and AR-VR formats.
The Prime Minister asserted that WAVES is a platform designed specifically for this generation—one that enables young minds to reimagine and redefine the creative revolution with their energy and efficiency.
Modi emphasised that WAVES will serve as a major platform where “creativity meets coding, software blends with storytelling, and art merges with augmented reality”. He also urged young creators to make the most of this opportunity, dream big, and dedicate their efforts to realising their visions.
Modi praised the resounding success of the first edition of the WAVES Summit, stating that from its very first moment, the event has captured global attention and is “roaring with purpose.”
The Prime Minister also extended greetings on the occasion of Maharashtra Day and Gujarat Statehood day.
Participants from 90 countries with more than 10,000 delegates, 1000 creators and over 300 companies are participating in this summit.
UNI
