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Tag: Anurag Singh Thakur

  • TV9 Network hosts News9 Global Summit 2025 Germany edition in Stuttgart

    TV9 Network hosts News9 Global Summit 2025 Germany edition in Stuttgart

    MUMBAI: TV9 Network is set to host the second News9 Global Summit – Germany Edition in Stuttgart on 9–10 October 2025, celebrating 25 years of India-Germany strategic partnership.

    The Summit, themed “Democracy | Demography | Development: The India-Germany Connect,” brings together policymakers, corporate leaders, and thought innovators from both nations to explore trade, technology, and collaborative opportunities.

    Presented by the Government of Maharashtra and MIDC, co-hosted by Vfb Stuttgart and supported by the State of Baden-Württemberg, the event promises high-level dialogue and actionable insights. Gold partners Fintiba and Barmer, Silver partners MHP – A Porsche Company and Tata Ace Pro, alongside other institutional and strategic partners, anchor the discussions.

    The Germany edition began in Berlin on 6 October at the Axica Convention Centre, adjacent to the Brandenburg Gate. Over 200 innovators, startups, and investors attended, with keynotes from India’s Ambassador to Germany HE Ajit Gupte, and spotlight sessions featuring Vijay Chauthaiwale, Anandi Iyer, Stefan Halusa, and Jörg Müller. The journey continues through Munich and Karlsruhe, culminating in Stuttgart for the main Summit dialogue.

    TV9 Network, MD & CEO Barun Das said, “The Summit is about more than dialogue; it’s about building trust in a multipolar world. Stuttgart, a hub of engineering, innovation, and diplomacy, is the perfect stage for India’s narrative as the world’s fastest-growing major economy.”

    Vfb Stuttgart chief marketing & sales officer Rouven Kasper added, “Sport and dialogue share a common language, teamwork, resilience, and innovation. Co-hosting the Summit reflects these shared values and celebrates the India-Germany connect beyond trade and technology.”

    The Summit’s lineup is a blend of policy, industry, and culture: From Germany and Europe Johann David Wadephul, Nina Warken, Maroš Šefčovič, and state leaders including Winfried Kretschmann and Frank Nopper; Industry voices Andreas Lapp, Joachim Erdle, Bernd-Otto Hörmann, alongside innovators like Honza Ngo and Jan-Frederik Dammenhain; Strategic experts Karl-Heinz Grossmann (Airbus Defence & Space), captain Michael Giss (Bundeswehr), cultural innovators Alexander Heinrich and Thomas Diehl.

    From India, the Summit includes Piyush Goyal and Devendra Fadnavis (virtual), with in-person participation from Anurag Singh Thakur, Uday Samant, and HE Ajit Gupte, supported by policy and economic thought leaders like Arvind Virmani and Sachin Kumar Sharma, as well as industry leaders including Vivek Lall, Pankaj Vyas, Anandi Iyer, and Ujjwal Jyoti.

    Cultural and creative perspectives feature chef Kunal Kapur, captain Zoya Agarwal, and new-generation innovators Siddharth Bhasin and Markus Besch.

    The News9 Global Summit 2025 – Germany Edition continues TV9 Network’s mission of placing India at the heart of global dialogue while redefining bilateral cooperation, innovation, and strategic partnerships for the next 25 years.

  • India’s top MSMEs & startups shine at ET NOW Leaders of Tomorrow Awards

    India’s top MSMEs & startups shine at ET NOW Leaders of Tomorrow Awards

    MUMBAI: Great ideas deserve great recognition, and ET NOW made sure of that. The IDFC First bank presents ET NOW Leaders of Tomorrow Awards Season 12 took centre stage in New Delhi, celebrating India’s most promising MSMEs and startups. With the theme ‘Powering Entrepreneurs for the Global Stage,’ the event highlighted the visionaries scaling their businesses within India while making waves in the international market.

    Former union minister & chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on coal, mines & steel Anurag Singh Thakur stated, “Over the past decade, India has risen from the ‘Fragile Five’ to one of the world’s top five economies, and in the next three years, we are set to become the third-largest economy globally. The government has actively supported MSMEs through financial reforms, ease of doing business initiatives, and credit access programs like Mudra Loans and Emergency Credit Line Guarantee Scheme. Today, India is home to over 1.6 lakh start-ups and 117 unicorns, proving that our youth are building enterprises that compete on the global stage. Our vision for Viksit Bharat 2047 is powered by MSMEs that are integrating into global supply chains, focusing on quality and innovation.”

    NSE MD & CEO Ashishkumar Chauhan stated, “India’s thriving capital market is an anomaly, as traditionally, only wealthy nations develop strong investment ecosystems. However, with 11 crore registered investors and 21 crore accounts, India is now uniquely positioned to fund entrepreneurial dreams. MSMEs must leverage capital markets to boost credibility, secure funding, and scale their businesses.”

    His speech didn’t shy away from geopolitical shifts shaping India’s future, adding, “The world is moving from a unipolar system (dominated by the U.S.) to a multipolar system, where India is emerging as a key player alongside major economies. The decline of global regulatory frameworks, such as the WTO (World Trade Organization), suggests that large economies are now prioritizing bilateral agreements over multilateral trade rules.”

    The awards night honoured outstanding enterprises across 14 categories, including 3 IDFC First Bank Rising Star Awards and 4 Editorial Awards. Winners were meticulously selected through a rigorous pan-India screening and expert jury evaluation, ensuring only the best took home the accolades.

    Beyond the awards, the event saw engaging panel discussions featuring industry heavyweights who shared their expertise and foresight on the future of entrepreneurship. Speakers included Chinmay Dhoble (IDFC FIRST Bank), Akis Evangelidis (Nothing), Aman Gupta (boAt Lifestyle), Dr. A Velumani (Thyrocare), Anand Mane (Joul), Bert Mueller (California Burrito), Spencer Schneier (Commenda), Radha Kirthivasan (BSE), Vivek Gambhir (Lightspeed India), Padmaja Ruparel (IAN Group), and Anisha Singh (She Capital).

    With India’s MSMEs and startups gaining unprecedented momentum, the ET NOW Leaders of Tomorrow Awards proved that the future of business isn’t just bright—it’s unstoppable.

     

  • Disney Star to add Indian sign language and audio descriptive feeds for ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024

    Disney Star to add Indian sign language and audio descriptive feeds for ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024

    Mumbai: On the occasion of Global Accessibility Awareness Day, Disney Star in association with India Signing Hands (ISH), announces the availability of an Indian Sign Language (ISL) feed for the upcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, starting 2 June. This will be applicable for 10 matches including the India matches, semi-finals and finals. The company will also support an audio descriptive feed, along with the ISL feed on Disney+ Hotstar and Star Sports Network. This is the first time that the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup will be broadcast with sign language and descriptive commentary making cricket more immersive for its deaf, hard-of-hearing and visually impaired users. With this, Disney+ Hotstar also becomes the first OTT platform to make ISL available for LIVE cricket.

    Commenting on Disney Star’s initiative, government of India minister of Information & Broadcasting and Youth Affairs & Sports Anurag Singh Thakur said, “I commend Star Sports and Disney+ Hotstar for introducing Indian Sign Language and Audio Descriptive commentary during the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024. The Government of India is committed to creating an inclusive society and I strongly believe that this initiative will enhance the viewing experience for millions of differently abled sports enthusiasts.”

    Disney+ Hotstar India head Sajith Sivanandan said, “We are thrilled to embrace accessibility features making the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup available to more fans of the sport. This underscores our commitment to promote inclusivity and serve all users. With these enhancements, we aim to ensure that the excitement of cricket knows no bounds.”

    Disney Star head – Sports Sanjog Gupta said, “The descriptive and Indian sign language feeds on Star Sports during Tata IPL 2024 were met with an overwhelming response. Disney Star is extending this endeavour to make cricket fandom and experiences more inclusive by introducing, for the first time ever, these feeds on the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. Our mission of serving sports fans is powered by such pioneering initiatives which seek to remove barriers of access and engagement for fans from all walks of life. The initiative also serves to present a more inclusive picture of India’s favourite sport and is of immense pride for the sporting fraternity.”

    India Signing Hands (ISH News) founder and CEO Alok Kejriwal said, “This feed has fostered the love of cricket into so many differently-abled individuals during IPL. With Disney Star continuing this initiative for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 at a larger scale with both Star Sports Network and Disney+ Hotstar supporting this feed, I am confident that it will open doors to the exciting world of cricket to many more people from the Deaf and Visually Impaired communities. This collaboration is really close to my heart since it makes the sport truly accessible and inclusive.”

    The ISL feed will provide a comprehensive ball-by-ball update through the presence of a translator on the live stream. The audio descriptive feed will be complemented by voice-over technology for specific pages, which can render text and images into a speech output, enabling our visually impaired users to easily navigate through the Disney+ Hotstar app.

    According to the World Health Organization, with an estimated 63 million community of deaf and 40 million community of visually impaired individuals in India, the need for inclusive entertainment is undeniable. After successfully introducing these features for the 2024 season of the Indian Premier League (IPL) on Star Sports Network, Disney Star will make it available for all the India matches along with the semi-finals and finals of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup on both Disney+ Hotstar and Star Sports Network, giving its users the freedom to watch on either of the platforms, at the comfort of their homes or on-the-go.

    Starting 2 June, tune in to Disney+ Hotstar to watch the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 LIVE and free on mobile. The tournament will also be broadcast LIVE on Star Sports Network.

  • Anurag Singh Thakur launches the first season of ‘Swaraj’ on OTT platform Amazon Prime

    Anurag Singh Thakur launches the first season of ‘Swaraj’ on OTT platform Amazon Prime

    Mumbai: Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting, Shri Anurag Singh Thakur launched the first season of “Swaraj” on OTT platform Amazon Prime, in Mumbai on Tuesday.

    Speaking on the occasion, Shri Thakur said, “Today is a moment of pride for us and a true tribute to all those unsung great heroes of our independence who sacrificed everything for the country”. He informed that this serial was commissioned by taking inspiration from the “Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav” national campaign of the Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi. He said that this serial which was launched in the month of August, 2022, are those stories of bravery in India’s freedom struggle about which very few people know. “These are the wars which got lost somewhere in the pages of history”, said the Union I & B Minister. “Swaraj” is the story of these countless unsung heroes and their indomitable courage, he added.

    Elaborating on the series, Shri Thakur said, this serial of 75 episodes covers unsung heroes of freedom struggle of from all corners of our country. It helps us understand the meaning, origins and consequences of colonialism, said the Minister. He further said, In the past, the history of India was written by foreign invaders and rulers according to their political, ideological and economic interests. In this landmark serial, historical events are presented in a broader context to illustrate the concept of ‘Swaraj’, he stated. He added that this will help the national and international audience to understand the spirit of the country and our 500-year long relentless struggle to gain independence from colonial rulers.

    Speaking further on the importance of being proud of one’s own rich history, Shri Thakur said, those who do not take pride in their rich historical legacy can never create a great future. If we want to create a great future for the country, then we will have to instil pride in the young generation about our great history, he added. The Union I & B Minister reiterated that over the next 25 years of Amrit Kaal, under the able leadership of PM Narendra Modi, we will move forward at a greater pace in the direction of ‘Viksit Bharat’.

    Reflecting on the role of Prasar Bharati in making this series, the Minister appreciated the role being played by Doordarshan and Akashvani in mobilizing and channelizing the emotions and spirit of the citizens in the right direction from time to time through various memorable programs.

    The Minister informed the gathering about a new 52 episode serial “Sardar: The Game Changer” which has been launched by Doordarshan on 10th March, 2024, to commemorate the 150th birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.

    Union I & B Minister stated that the Government is focussed on being an enabler to help the Media & Entertainment sector thrive and achieve greater heights on an international scale. He highlighted initiatives like Ease of Doing Business for film industry, schemes like “Single window clearance” for film-shooting In India and various other incentives. He urged all to create good content in Indian languages and stated that language is not a barrier for a global audience in today’s hyperconnected world. He added that regional Indian cinema has transcended geographies and reached out to a global audience based on good content. He urged the M&E sector stakeholders to make India the ‘Content Hub of the World’.

    Also addressing the audience on the occasion, Shri Sushant Sreeram, Country Director, Prime Video, India stated, “This endeavor echoes the essence of our commitment to showcasing and celebrating India’s unique culture and history, and strengthening India’s creative ecosystem, as envisioned in the Letter of Engagement signed between Amazon India and Ministry of Information and Broadcasting last year”.

    The Producer of “Swaraj”, Abhimanyu Singh stated that the serial shows the journey of India from the arrival of Vasco Da Gama in 1498 to the attainment of independence in 1947. “When Vasco Da Gama entered in India, our country was the richest country at that time. India’s contribution in world GDP was around 24%. But, after beginning of the rule of East India Company, India’s struggle started. However, the sacrifice of our freedom fighters brought us independence”, he said.

    A colourful programme organized on the occasion showcased India’s rich art and culture and varied dance forms. A scintillating performance on a musical narrative depicted the indomitable spirit of millions of ordinary Indians who fought for the freedom of the motherland over the last five centuries.

    The telecast of the serial ‘Swaraj’ began on 14th August 2022 in Hindi on DD National and subsequently in nine regional languages (Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam, Marathi, Gujarati, Bengali, Odia, and Assamese) on the regional networks of Doordarshan. “Swaraj” program was entrusted to Contiloe Pictures production house, famous for professionally researched and high quality content, which is also suitable for OTT platforms. The program “Swaraj” is now available on Amazon Prime Video. The first season will consist of 10 episodes and will also be available in 7 regional languages – Marathi, Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Kannada, Bengali and Gujarati. Subtitles have also been made available in Hindi and English language for the convenience of the viewers.
     

  • Prime Video highlights VFX’s application in modern filmmaking at Film Bazaar, 54th International Film Festival of India

    Prime Video highlights VFX’s application in modern filmmaking at Film Bazaar, 54th International Film Festival of India

    Mumbai: Prime Video, India’s most loved entertainment destination, today conducted an engaging session on how VFX technology is an emerging and rapidly evolving avenue of artistic expression at Film Bazaar at the ongoing 54th International Film Festival of India (IFFI), Goa. Using the popular Original series Mumbai Diaries Season 2 as an example, the session elucidated how VFX helps in moving the narratives forward by creating worlds and storylines that defy traditional boundaries. The session was spearheaded by Nikhil Madhok, head of Hindi Originals, Prime Video, Monisha Advani, Producer, Emmay Entertainment, Madhu Bhojwani, Producer, Emmay Entertainment, Malay Prakash, Director of Photography, and Vishwas Savanur, VFX Head. To give the attendees an experience of the VFX behind the much-loved series, Prime Video has also set up a zone at the Tech Pavilion at Film Bazaar that was visited by Anurag Singh Thakur, Union Minister of Information and Broadcasting and Youth Affairs & Sports.

    “If storytellers are the ones who inspire us and open our minds by taking us into new worlds, then it is VFX that acts as the wind beneath their wings,” said Prime Video, India head of Hindi Originals Nikhil Madhok, highlighting that VFX is helping creativity transcend the boundaries of imagination and changing the game in the global entertainment landscape. He further explained that VFX goes beyond just creating visually stunning spectacles, and gives storytellers the power to envision worlds and narratives without being bound by practical constraints. He further added, “Earlier, storytellers faced constraints at the very inception of a project, often holding back ambitious visions at the script stage due to uncertainties about execution. If someone wanted to narrate a story that involved significant world-building, they often first had to question their own belief and answer questions on execution even before they had finished writing their story. However, today, thanks to the advancements in VFX technology, storytellers can dare to dream big. They now place the narrative at the forefront of their creative process, and are able to focus on creating immersive worlds on paper, fully knowing that VFX will help them bring their vision to life.”

    By bringing in elements of realism, scalability, cost-effectiveness, and safety, VFX is helping creativity transcend the boundaries of imagination and changing the game in the global entertainment landscape. However, Nikhil also cautioned the industry to avoid looking at VFX as just a way to reduce costs. “While the cost advantages are great and we must make the most of it, but focusing on the cost would be like missing the wood for the trees. We must think of VFX as this powerful tool that helps unleash the imagination of our storytellers!” he explained.

    The session commenced with an insightful address by Nikhil Madhok, head of Hindi Originals, Prime Video, India. This was followed by an interesting talk on Mumbai Dairies Season 2 and the role of VFX in it by  producer Monisha Advani and producer Madhu Bhojwani. Next on the agenda was an engaging presentation by Malay Prakash, cinematographer, and Vishwas Savanu, VFX producer on the VFX technology and its potential to be a game changer in filmmaking. The session concluded with an incisive panel discussion among these presenters on the contribution of VFX technology in moving the story narratives forward.

    “VFX has transformed filmmaking across genres, elevating production quality and opening new avenues for employment. The flood sequence in Mumbai Diaries Season 2, brought to life by VFX, showcases the technology’s prowess in tackling scenes once deemed too complex or risky to film – offering creators a newfound freedom to explore narratives and visual elements that elevate the overall cinematic experience for audiences,” said Prime Video, India head of Hindi Originals Nikhil Madhok.

    Prime Video has used the technology in a number of their Originals, as well as co-productions. From recreating Afghanistan in Film City to creating an immersive underwater marvel in the co-production Ram Setu, spine-chilling effects in the supernatural Original Adhura, the period Original Jubilee’s recreation of a bygone era with incredible detailing, creating a world beyond the realm of reality in the first Tamil Original horror series The Village that just premiered at IFFI, to recreating one of the worst disasters the city of Mumbai had to face in Mumbai Diaries Season 2 – Prime Video has used VFX to redefine storytelling, and create cinematic experiences through immersive world-building.

    Emmay Entertainment producers Monisha Advani and Madhu Bhojwani spoke about how VFX technology gives creators an opportunity to realize their vision on screen and tell stories that immerse audiences into magical and fantastical worlds.

    Malay Prakash, director of photography of Mumbai Diaries Season 2 and Vishwas Savanur, VFX producer, spoke about the need for filmmakers to be aware of what can be achieved with VFX technology and how it can make a scene more believable by keeping the shots relevant, moving and organic.

    Prime Video’s participation at IFFI is a testament of the pivotal role video streaming sector is playing in enabling the growth of India’s creative economy, and acting as a robust platform to showcase Indian stories, talent, and creators in the global arena.

  • Anurag Singh Thakur unveils the trailer of Bharat Hain Hum

    Anurag Singh Thakur unveils the trailer of Bharat Hain Hum

    Mumbai: Hon’ble Information and Broadcasting minister and Minister of Sports Shri Anurag Singh Thakur has unveiled the trailer of an enthralling animated series ‘Bharat Hain Hum’ in New Delhi today. The series is being launched on Prime Video, Netflix and Doordarshan, as a part of the Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav celebrations, dedicated to shedding light on the unsung heroes of India’s freedom struggle. While the names of great freedom fighters of our nation, like Mahatma Gandhi, Veer Savarkar, and Subhash Chandra Bose, are etched into the social consciousness, this series aims to also introduce the nation to lesser-known but equally significant freedom fighters whose contributions were instrumental in India’s path to independence on August 15, 1947. Countless heroic figures, such as Rani Abbakka, Tilka Manjhi, Tirot Singh, Peer Ali, Tatya Tope, Kotwal Dhan Singh, Kunwar Singh (an 80-year-old freedom fighter), Rani Chennamma, Tikendra Jeet Singh, and more, will finally take their rightful place in history through this animated masterpiece.

    Crafted by the talented minds of Munjal Shroff and Tilak Shetty, the series will encompass 26 captivating episodes in Season 1, each featuring a 11-minute animated narrative. The series is slated to be premiered on 15 October on Doordarshan, Prime Video and Netflix in 12 Indian and 7 international languages.

    Every episode will have popular characters Krish, Trish, and Baltiboy — previously renowned from the acclaimed KTB Movie series, embarking on dialogues that delve into the tales of these unsung heroes. The series produced by the Central Bureau of Communication and Graphiti Studio, is also a tapestry of faiths and unity that transcends religious barriers, unifying the country’s faiths and beliefs. Embracing the diversity of India’s struggle for freedom, the series will journey through different regions, featuring freedom fighters hailing from all across the country.

    Speaking about the series, Thakur said, “Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav is the vision of Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji. Under his vision, it is our humble endeavour to reignite the nation’s memory and ignite gratitude towards these unsung heroes, who deserve our unwavering admiration and respect. We have a very few heroes that the country has celebrated but there are so many unsung heroes who were not given their due credit in our history. Thirty percent of these heroes are women and these stories will inspire generations to come.”

    “We will do a lot more to ensure students and people of our country get to know about these heroes. We will also screen the series in the parliament so that the members can spread the word in their territories,” he added.

    Munjal Shroff and Tilak Shetty, co-creators of the series, passionately asserted, “We wanted to revive these tales of patriotism and relentless pursuit of freedom, paying tribute to their remarkable sacrifices, and inspire the children and the youth of India to take pride in our heritage. Animation is the perfect medium to bring alive these glorious tales and make them accessible to the children of our country. Our history often remains confined to the pages of school textbooks, and a knowledge gap exists beyond secondary education. This entertaining and informative series is aimed at every Indian irrespective of age.”

    “We are delighted to launch Krish, Trish and Baltiboy – Bharat Hain Hum on Prime Video starting 15th of October. A unique initiative, the series will introduce our next generation to the numerous heroes who played an important role in India’s freedom struggle, and give young viewers in India and across the world, a chance to explore our rich history,” said Prime Video India country director Sushant Sreeram. “We would like to congratulate the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB), Central Bureau of Communication, and Graphiti Studios for producing this wonderful series. We are excited to be launching the show globally – customers from the U.S., the U.K., Australia, Canada and more than 100 countries will be able to watch Krish, Trish and Baltiboy – Bharat Hai Hum, on Prime Video. Showcasing local stories that celebrate Indian culture and history, was one of the key tenets outlined in the Letter of Engagement between Amazon and MIB, announced earlier this year, and we are glad to take that commitment further with this animated series.”

    Also present at the event were Prime Video country head and I & B secretary Sushant Sreeram, Netflix India senior director, general counsel, legal, Sushant Sreeram, Prasar Bharti CEO Kiran Desai, CBC director general Gaurav Diwedi and Dhirendra Ojha.

    By encapsulating the forgotten narratives of courage, resilience, and love for the motherland, this series aspires to become a symbol of remembrance and a source of inspiration for future generations. As India celebrates its independence, it is an opportunity for every citizen to pay homage to the untold sacrifices that shaped the destiny of our great nation.

  • IOA unveils uniquely designed ceremonial dress and player kit for 19th Asian Games

    IOA unveils uniquely designed ceremonial dress and player kit for 19th Asian Games

    Mumbai: The Indian Olympic Association (IOA), on Tuesday, unveiled the much-anticipated official ceremonial dress and playing kit for the Indian contingent that will compete at the forthcoming 2022 Asian Games scheduled to be held in Hangzhou, China from 23 September 23 to 8 October.

    IOA also conducted a glittering send-off ceremony which was graced by the union minister for information & broadcasting and youth affairs & sports Anurag Singh Thakur, IOA president and legendary sprinter PT Usha along with other senior officials.

    The Indian contingent was represented by Indian hockey goalkeepers PR Sreejesh (men), Savita Punia (women), shooting sensation Manu Bhaker and 2018 Asian Games shot put gold medallist Tajinderpal Singh Toor among sportspersons from many other disciplines.

    Conceived and uniquely designed by the National Institute of Fashion Technology, the ceremonial dress includes a khaki textured saree for women and khaki kurta for the male players.

    The bandhgala jacket of male athletes and the high neck blouse for the women seamlessly blends Indian motifs and prints with quintessential Indian silhouettes that represents the rich cultural tapestry of India on the global stage. The attire embraces nature with recycled fabrics that promotes sustainability.

    Speaking on the occasion Anurag Singh Thakur commented, “It’s not just a uniform; it’s a symbol of pride and identity for our athletes. The uniform proudly represents India’s self-reliance and showcases the country’s diverse heritage and design leadership. I am confident that as much as the team will represent the young and new India; we will ensure historic performances and return with the best medal count. I urge the country to stand behind our athletes and cheer for them.”

    The playing kit, crafted by JSW Inspire, official sport apparel partner of the contingent, is designed by the talented Kashmiri designer Aaquib Wani who has also designed the Indian cricket team jersey. It is inspired by the country’s varied art forms that serves as a visual ode to the incredible diversity and unity that defines India, ensuring that every athlete carries a piece of their home state with them onto the field.

    IOA President Dr. PT Usha said she expects every member of the contingent to make the best effort to make India proud. “We have waited long for the 2022 Asian Games and are delighted that India is sending its largest contingent of 634 athletes. We believe that this squad has the potential to get India its best medal haul as well,” she said.

    “In the IOA, we have made every effort to place the athlete in the centre of our universe and ensure that they are well looked after.”

    With 33 members, rowing has the largest unit after athletics going to Hangzhou to stake claim at the medal. Meanwhile, a 15-member Esports team will also be at the Asian Games as the event makes its official debut.  

    The Indian contingent clinched 70 medals, including 16 gold, in the last edition of the Asian Games held in 2018.

    JSW Inspire, Reliance Foundation, Adani Sportsline and Samsonite are the principal sponsors to Team India for the 2022 Asian Games while Borosil, Skechers, Amul, SFA, Inox Group and The Leela palace hotels and resorts have joined hands as the associate sponsors and partners.

  • MIB invites entries for ‘75 Creative Minds of Tomorrow’

    MIB invites entries for ‘75 Creative Minds of Tomorrow’

    Mumbai: The ministry of information and broadcasting (MIB) has opened applications for the ’75 Creative Minds of Tomorrow’ competition. The segment is an annual platform at the International Film Festival of India in Goa for identifying, encouraging, and nurturing young creative talents from various aspects of filmmaking.

    The initiative is in its second year, having begun in 2021 to commemorate India’s 75th anniversary of independence as part of the ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav’ celebrations.

    The number of filmmakers recognised represents the years of Indian independence. It is expected that the number of youths participating in ‘creative minds’ will increase by one in the coming years in order to keep the spirit of the endeavour alive.

    An eminent jury will shortlist and select the 75 creative minds under the auspices of the National Film Development Corporation ahead of the 53rd edition of the International Film Festival of India.

    This programme identifies young budding film makers and provides them a platform to interact and learn from national as well as international film makers during the period of IFFI Goa.

    This is a one-of-a-kind platform, with the largest gathering of young creative minds chosen through a competition at any premier film festival around the world. It was conceived in 2021 by union minister for information and broadcasting, youth affairs, and sports Anurag Singh Thakur to provide a platform and connect young talent with industry masters from the media and entertainment sectors.

    The selected ’75 Creative Minds of Tomorrow’ will also attend workshops and sessions specially curated by the masters of cinema during the festival event in Goa. Furthermore, each team will take part in a group competition to make a short film in 53 hours. The themes of the short film will be inspired by the spirit of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, in which the teams will present their vision of India@100.

    The selected creative minds will be divided into seven teams in collaboration with Shorts TV, the initiative’s programming partner. The films created by the seven teams will be screened theatrically at IFFI on 24 November followed by an award ceremony to recognise the winning film. Everyone who takes part in the competition challenge will be recognised.

    The initiative is also another step toward making India a global content and post-production hub by identifying, nurturing, and up-skilling young talent and preparing them for industry connections and readiness. The initiative is nurturing and developing an ecosystem of young filmmakers, allowing them to network and collaborate from the start.

    The ministry intends to implement productive interventions so that participants can take advantage of this opportunity for gainful employment in the media and entertainment sectors.

    The entries will be accepted from 5 September 2022 till 23 September at: https://www.iffigoa.org/creativeminds.

  • Youth leader Anurag Singh Thakur launches national campaign to honour women

    Youth leader Anurag Singh Thakur launches national campaign to honour women

    NEW DELHI: National President of the Bharatiya Janta Yuva Morcha (BJYM), the youth wing of the BJP and Member of Parliament in the Lok Sabha Anurag Singh Thakur launched a nation-wide campaign, Honour Our Women (H.O.W.) Foundation that transcends all political barriers to unite on one platform the laudable individual efforts of various civil society groups, NGOs, student bodies, government representatives, politicians, media, corporates and individuals, and to work collectively and constructively towards charting out a concrete set of steps and future course of action for promising and securing empowerment, safety respect and honour for our women.

    The campaign will work on the streets and in schools and colleges in every state capital across India, to bring a change ground-up by sensitising men on respecting women.

    Thakur said, “The HOW initiative is a befitting tribute to one woman who lost her life, but awakened a million others. A year back, when thousands of men and women took to the streets in protest, they weren’t just demanding justice for Nirbhaya – they also wanted a guarantee that there will not be any more Nirbhaya cases ever again. But despite new laws and all the policing, cases of rape and crime against women only seem to be on the rise. In wake of the growing public pressure, the measures taken under the current system have put a heavy skew only on legislative and judicial interventions without looking at the social fabric of the society. This legislative approach needs to be complemented with a direct grassroots approach to get men to speak up and convince other men to join hands in Honouring Our Women through concrete action.”

    Eminent people from various walks of life including politics, journalism, government and cinema were witnessed at the launch of the initiative to pledge their commitment and to discuss effective measures of bringing this change in male mind set to honour women and on ways to spread the message across our personal and professional lives.

    Anurag Thakur, Arun Jaitley and Baijayant Panda at launch of Honour Our Women initiative (16 Dec)

    The speakers included Rajya Sabha leader of the opposition, Arun Jaitley; M P (Lok Sabha) from Biju Janata Dal Baijayant ‘Jay’ Panda; Times Now editor in chief Arnab Goswami; IBN7 Managing Editor Ashutosh; Headlines Today editor-at-large Rahul Kanwal; actor Vivek Oberoi; author Chetan Bhagat; and stand-up comic Kapil Sharma.