 "‘Viksit Bharat's journey has only started’: What PM Modi said at WAVES 2025, top quotes")
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the World Audio Visual and Entertainment Summit (WAVES) in Mumbai on May 1, 2025. The event drew a large audience that included celebrities from India’s film industries and various content creators.
During his speech, PM Modi emphasised the value of content produced in India and highlighted the potential of content creators to drive economic growth in the country. He also announced plans for future initiatives, such as the WAVES Awards.
According to the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), WAVES 2025 is a pioneering summit in India. The event features 42 plenary sessions, 39 breakout sessions, and 32 masterclasses, covering a wide range of sectors including broadcasting, infotainment, AVGC-XR, films, and digital media.
Here are the top seven quotes by Prime Minister Narendra Modi from the event:
Viksit Bharat’s journey has only started: “India will soon become the world’s third-largest economy. India is already number one in global fintech adoption rate. It’s the world’s second-largest mobile manufacturer. India is the world’s third-largest startup ecosystem. Viksit Bharat’s journey has only started. The country has a lot to offer. Along with a billion-plus population, it is also a land of billion-plus stories,” PM Modi said.
India’s treasure of stories: “India is a land of a billion-plus stories. When the world is looking for new ways of storytelling, India has a history of stories which is timeless and thought-provoking. And it is not just about culture, it is about science, sports and more. This treasure should be taken to the world and it is the responsibility of the WAVE platform,” he said. Addressing Indian youth, PM Modi said, “Tell your 1 billion untold stories to the world.”
Impact Shorts
More ShortsOrange economy: “It is the beginning of the orange economy in India. Indian films’ reach is across the world,” PM Modi said. “India’s food is getting popular across the world. And I know, India’s music too will gain popularity around the world,” he added.
Free flowing creativity: “Youth don’t have any baggage in their creativity. It is free flowing. I have met gamers and other creators. I follow the work of creators on social media. Reels, podcast, animation - our young minds are doing good work in these formats. WAVES is for the young generation. WAVES will help the youth redefine the entertainment industry,” PM Modi said.
People’s Padma Awards: PM Modi said his government has made the Padma awards ‘People’s Padma Awards’. “WAVES will give a platform to the talent from across India in music, gaming and animation,” he said.
Wave of culture, creativity and universal connect: “Artists, innovators, investors, policy makers from over 100 countries have gathered here. WAVES is not just an acronym. It actually is a wave. It is a wave of culture, creativity and universal connect. On this wave are riding films, animation, gaming, the whole universe of creativity. Every creator can join the creative world with a new idea,” PM Modi said.
OTT’s screen size is small but scope is huge: PM Modi said OTT space has grown significantly over the years. “OTT has grown 10X in India in the recent years. Screen size is small but scope is huge. Screen is micro but growth is significant,” he added.
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