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Tag: Narendra Modi

  • Explurger steps up to PM Modi’s call for homegrown tech

    Explurger steps up to PM Modi’s call for homegrown tech

    MUMBAI: Time to log off and step out! Responding to prime minister Narendra Modi’s call for indigenous innovation, Explurger, a proudly made-in-India social media app, is reimagining how we connect online, and offline.

    Launched with the mantra “Get out – get social,” Explurger encourages users to explore the world, meet people in real life, and share authentic travel and lifestyle experiences. Every journey, check-in, or post automatically creates a digital travelogue, making social media as much about living life as sharing it.

    “The prime minister’s call underscores India’s growing confidence in building its own tech frameworks,” said Explurger founder and CEO Jitin Bhatia. “Our app is entirely developed in India, powered by Indian talent, and designed to resonate globally. Explurger shows that Indian technology can inspire, innovate, and compete on the world stage.”

    Rooted in the Make in India and Digital India missions, Explurger reflects the spirit of self-reliance. With over 17 million users, it signals a new era of homegrown digital innovation, one where technology doesn’t just connect, it empowers and enriches real-world experiences.
     

  • NDTV World Summit 2025 to host four PMs together

    NDTV World Summit 2025 to host four PMs together

    MUMBAI: Four prime ministers, one stage, endless possibilities. The NDTV World Summit 2025, set for 17–18 October in New Delhi, will see an unprecedented convergence of global leadership: India’s PM Narendra Modi, Sri Lankan PM Harini Amarasuriya, former UK PM Rishi Sunak, and former Australian PM Tony Abbott. Two serving and two former heads of government sharing the stage underscores the Summit’s stature as a premier forum for ideas shaping the world.

    Under the theme ‘Edge of the unknown: Risk. Resolve. Renewal.’, the Summit aims to tackle uncertainty with imagination, view resolve as deliberate action, and embrace renewal as the creation of uncharted futures. Topics will range from geopolitics and technology to ecology, culture, and economic innovation, offering a rare space where inherited realities meet unwritten possibilities.

    NDTV CEO & editor-in-chief Rahul Kanwal said, “This is a crucible of influence where ideas, imagination, and intention converge. The participation of four prime ministers alongside innovators, business leaders, and cultural icons reflects India’s central role in global dialogue and its growing impact on shaping a collective future.”

    The Summit promises to be more than discussion, it will be a stage for vision, creativity, and global collaboration, positioning India at the heart of the world’s conversation and highlighting NDTV’s renewed commitment to curating conversations that matter.

  • Sarc Global teams up with Nodwin Gaming

    Sarc Global teams up with Nodwin Gaming

    MUMBAI: Level up and play big! India’s esports industry just got a power boost. Sarc Global, a strategic advisory and consulting firm, has joined forces with Nodwin Gaming, south Asia’s leading esports company, to turbocharge the country’s competitive gaming scene. The alliance is designed to push esports into the mainstream, with plans ranging from promoting tournaments and unlocking sponsorships to driving esports-friendly policies with government support.

    The move dovetails with prime minister Narendra Modi’s Viksit Bharat vision, giving esports a policy tailwind as states like Maharashtra, Bihar and Rajasthan draft pro-gaming frameworks. “This partnership is an important step towards unlocking the true potential of esports in India,” said Nodwin Gaming CEO Gautam Singh Virk. “We’re bridging the world of competitive gaming with the business and policy frameworks that will allow it to thrive.”

    Sarc Global will bring its expertise in investment facilitation and cross-border partnerships, while Nodwin leverages its deep roots in esports, youth culture and intellectual properties. Together, the duo aims to create a future-ready ecosystem that blends entertainment, regulation and opportunity.

    The timing couldn’t be sharper. The Online gaming act, 2025, now offers regulatory clarity, incentives for infrastructure and clear safeguards for young audiences. A recent FICCI-EY report notes that brand participation in esports will rise from 68 in 2024 to 75 in 2025, fuelled by bigger tournaments and growing youth engagement.

    As sponsorships, prize pools and large-scale youth campaigns gather momentum, the Sarc Global–Nodwin partnership is set to redefine India’s role in global esports. From boardrooms to battle arenas, the game has only just begun.

  • TVU links Modi summit across 25 sites

    TVU links Modi summit across 25 sites

    MUMBAI: When the world tuned in to hear what India thinks, the cloud did the talking. TVU Networks’ cloud-powered broadcast solutions stitched together 25 venues across the globe for the “What India thinks today” summit in New Delhi, headlined by prime minister Narendra Modi.

    The two-day event at Bharat Mandapam brought together leaders and influencers to debate India’s role in the new world order. Behind the scenes, TV9 Network leaned on TVU’s tech stack: Partyline, Anywhere and One, to keep conversations seamless and audiences connected in real time.

    The numbers tell the story. Sub-300 millisecond latency ensured smooth exchanges that felt as if participants were in the same room. The entire system was up and running in less than a day, slashing timelines that usually stretch to a week. And uninterrupted HD transmission held steady across international and domestic venues, even when networks were under strain.

    The payoff was more than technical. The cloud-driven approach cut deployment costs and complexity while giving TV9 the freedom to focus on content rather than configuration.

    “Delivering a truly global, interactive summit required agility and reliability,” said TV9 Network CTO Badari Prasad S. “TVU’s cloud ecosystem delivered both, setting a new benchmark for live connectivity.”

    TVU Networks GM south Asia Subodh Aggarwal added, “This shows how our cloud solutions can eliminate borders while reducing costs and complexity.”

    By powering a multi-venue, interactive broadcast of this scale, TVU Networks has underlined how cloud technology is reshaping live production worldwide. For global broadcasters chasing speed, scale and simplicity, the message is clear: the future is in the cloud.

  • PM hails Sharma’s re-election as NBDA chief with newsworthy praise

    PM hails Sharma’s re-election as NBDA chief with newsworthy praise

    MUMBAI: The news just broke and fittingly, it’s about the man who’s been breaking news for decades. Prime minister Narendra Modi has congratulated India TV chairman and editor-in-chief Rajat Sharma on being re-elected as president of the News Broadcasters and Digital Association (NBDA), calling his leadership “newsworthy” at a time when the media and digital landscape is undergoing seismic shifts.

    In a personal letter, the prime minister lauded Sharma’s decades-long contribution to journalism, describing his credibility and deep subject knowledge as invaluable to the industry. “The Association will benefit from your decades-long experience in journalism, your deep understanding of various subjects, and your credibility. Your guidance will be particularly effective in the media and digital world, undergoing modern transformation,” Modi wrote.

    The prime minister further expressed confidence that under Sharma’s stewardship, the NBDA would raise the standards of journalism to “new heights” while continuing to play a meaningful role in the interests of society and the nation. “Once again, I wish you all the best for this new term and your future endeavours,” he added.

    Sharma’s re-election as president for the 2025–26 term was confirmed at the NBDA’s Board meeting on September 19, 2025. He continues to head India’s largest body of private news broadcasters and digital media players at a time when the lines between legacy and digital journalism are blurring more rapidly than ever.

    Alongside Sharma’s re-election, the new NBDA leadership team was also announced. MV Shreyams Kumar, managing director of Mathrubhumi Printing & Publishing, has been appointed vice-president, while Anuradha Prasad Shukla, chairperson & managing director of News24 Broadcast India, has been named Honorary Treasurer.

    The reappointment cements Sharma’s place as one of the most influential figures in Indian news media. Having steered India TV to become one of the country’s most-watched news channels and leading NBDA through earlier terms, Sharma’s presidency comes at a crucial moment as the sector grapples with challenges of regulation, digital disruption, and audience trust.

    For Sharma, who has spent decades building his reputation as one of India’s most recognisable news anchors and media leaders, the latest endorsement from both peers and the Prime Minister underscores not just his personal clout but also the pivotal role NBDA plays in shaping the future of journalism in India.

    And as Modi’s words suggest, the coming year may see Sharma not just reporting the news, but redefining how India consumes it.
     

  • Cable TV lobby urges tax cut to 5 per cent as sector reels under strain

    Cable TV lobby urges tax cut to 5 per cent as sector reels under strain

    NEW DELHI:The All India Digital Cable Federation (AIDCF), the apex body of cable operators, has petitioned information and broadcasting minister Ashwini Vaishnaw and finance minister Ashwini Vaishnaw  to slash goods and services tax on cable television from 18 per cent to 5 per cent.

    The appeal rides on prime minister Narendra Modi’s push for “next-generation GST reforms” and a two-rate structure. The federation argues that cable remains the cheapest mass medium, reaching 64 million households and sustaining 10–12 lakh jobs, yet is under siege from rising costs and unregulated OTT rivals.

    Powered by 852 multi-system operators and 1.6 lakh local cable operators—mostly small entrepreneurs—the sector was even recognised as an “essential service” during the pandemic. But the economics are dire. Broadcaster fees have surged nearly 600 per cent, pushing up subscription costs by 35–40 per cent. With consumers balking at higher tariffs, margins are collapsing.

    “Market dynamics have become unfair for MSMEs in cable TV, as they are bound by tariff regulations while OTTs operate without comparable oversight,” AIDCF wrote.

    The lobby claims a GST cut would restore affordability for households, ease working capital pressures, enable fresh broadband investment under Digital India, and protect lakhs of jobs.

    AIDCF secretary general Manoj P Chhangani urged the government to table the matter at the next GST Council meet: “A reduction will safeguard the viability of MSOs and LCOs and preserve cable’s role in inclusive connectivity.”

    Industry watchers caution that while OTT is growing fast, cable still dominates in small towns and villages. A tax reprieve, they say, could decide whether it remains India’s broadcast backbone—or fades into obsolescence.

  • Comscore report: Influencers now spark 36 per cent of global social media engagement — and India’s creator economy is on fire

    Comscore report: Influencers now spark 36 per cent of global social media engagement — and India’s creator economy is on fire

    MUMBAI: Move over, legacy media. In today’s scroll-happy world, social influencers are the new empire builders — and India is leading the charge. According to The Social Influencers  Report: India Edition 2025 by Comscore, content creators are now responsible for a staggering 36 per cent of all user engagement across Facebook, Instagram, X, and TikTok worldwide.

    And in a market where 1.4 billion people live online-first lives, the stakes — and returns — are massive. Whether it’s a viral reel from a beauty guru, a fiery political post, or a behind-the-scenes cricketer vlog, influencers are driving India’s digital heartbeat — and shaping brand strategy, platform growth, and content monetisation at scale.

    India’s top influencers? They are politicians and cricketers — with engagement numbers that rival primetime TV.  The data reveals some headline-stealing names. Prime minister Narendra Modi continues to dominate social media, generating 5.4 million monthly actions on Facebook and a further 10.8 million on X — more than many entertainment networks combined.

    Meanwhile, stars like KL Rahul, Rashmika Mandanna, and Hardik Pandya are keeping fans hooked across Instagram and YouTube. Beauty creator Parul Garg smashed viewership charts with 441.2 million views, proving that makeup and relatability are a power combo.

    Forget followers — engagement is the only currency that counts.  The report makes one thing clear: follower counts are yesterday’s news.

    “That influencer with 500K followers might be getting ghosted by their own audience,” says Comscore. “It’s engagement — likes, comments, shares — that reflects real influence.”

    The advice to brands? Dump the vanity metrics. Invest in creators who spark emotional responses, drive interactions, and know how to move the needle.

    Timing is everything: the best posting windows for Indian influencers to help you to ride the engagement wave. Know when your audience is listening. The report maps out the sweet spots across platforms:

    * Instagram: Mon–Wed mornings (10–11 am) and daily evenings (4–7 pm)
    * Facebook: Late mornings and afternoons, especially early in the week
    * X (formerly Twitter): 8–9 am daily and post-9 pm Mon–Tues
    Fridays and Saturdays? Surprisingly flat. Sunday evenings, on the other hand, are primed for attention.

    Virtual influencers are here — and they’re outperforming humans. The AI influencers are no longer gimmicks — they’re headline acts. Digital avatars like Lil Miquela, Aitana López, and Brazil’s Lu do Magalu are rewriting the rules of influence. These virtual personalities:don’t age, cancel, or misbehave; post consistently across markets and  adapt voice, tone, and look for hyper-local relevance.

    They’ve fronted campaigns with brands from Calvin Klein to LiquidIV, clocking millions of views without ever stepping into a makeup chair or selfie booth.

    Bonus: no diva demands, PR disasters, or DM leaks.

    The biggest takeaway? If you’re still treating influencer marketing like a side hustle, you’ve already lost.

    “Creators aren’t just content providers,” says the report. “They’re media buyers, storytellers, and brand equity multipliers rolled into one.”

    Brands must integrate influencer strategy across all touchpoints — from digital to social to streaming — or risk being drowned out by competitors who do.

    Final word: in the creator economy, fast movers win — the rest scroll behind. The competition is brutal. The smartest brands are already locking in creators with proven audience trust, emotional resonance, and multichannel command. And if you’re still running single-platform strategies in 2025? “You’re flying blind,” warns Comscore. “Your audience is watching TikToks, scrolling Insta, and doomscrolling X — often in the same hour. Get the full footprint or get forgotten.”

  • Information and broadcasting minister Ashwini Vaishnaw highlights growth of creator economy

    Information and broadcasting minister Ashwini Vaishnaw highlights growth of creator economy

    MUMBAI: Union minister of information & broadcasting Ashwini Vaishnaw stated that the media landscape is undergoing a significant shift due to the exponential growth of the creator economy. Speaking to representatives from approximately 20 national and regional media outlets on Saturday, he emphasised the fundamental changes occurring in content creation and its associated economy.

    “The world of creators and their economy is going through a fundamental change. With the advent of technology, the old model is giving way to the new model, creating opportunities as well as challenges,” said Vaishnaw.

    He highlighted how technology has enabled broader participation in content creation, noting, “Gone are the days when a large studio was necessary for producing content. Today, a creator from a remote village in Jharkhand or Kerala can produce high-quality content and garner millions of views.”

    Vaishnaw mentioned the World Audio Visual & Entertainment Summit (Waves), scheduled to take place in Mumbai from 1-4 May, which has already received over 100,000 registrations. He explained that Waves aims to establish itself as a global platform for media and entertainment, similar to the role of Davos for economic policies. The summit will also recognize top innovators with awards for their contributions to the evolving global media and entertainment sector.

    Leaders from various media organisations expressed their appreciation for the government’s initiative in conceptualizing Waves as a platform to connect policymakers, creators, industry leaders, technology companies, and start-ups.

    Information and broadcasting secretary Sanjay Jaju welcomed the participants and emphasised the importance of collaborative dialogue in shaping the future of the media landscape. He underscored the ministry’s commitment to engaging with stakeholders across different platforms and acknowledged the active participation of media organizations in the lead-up to Waves 2025.

    Vaishnaw reiterated that the creator economy is experiencing rapid growth and that prime minister Narendra Modi has acknowledged the contributions of creators to the economy and in promoting India’s soft power globally. He stated that Waves is intended to become a global connector for creators, buyers, and markets, facilitating scalable creative solutions.

    Secretary Sanjay Jaju emphasized the significance of collective discussion in determining the future direction of the media industry and the ministry’s commitment to engaging with stakeholders.

  • Rising Bharat Summit 2025 fuels bold vision for India’s global future

    Rising Bharat Summit 2025 fuels bold vision for India’s global future

    MUMBAI: The News18 Rising Bharat Summit 2025 unfolded as a dynamic exchange of ideas, direction and determination in New Delhi, spotlighting India’s youthful energy and its ambitions to become a developed nation by 2047.

    Centred on the theme ‘Youthful Aspirations, Dream Big, Achieve More, Rise Together,’ the summit brought together an influential line-up of ministers, policy shapers, global experts and cultural icons to present India’s vision across governance, trade, diplomacy, technology and social equity.

    In a charged keynote, prime minister Narendra Modi spoke of urgent, performance-based governance. “The Waqf Amendment Bill ensures true social justice, ending appeasement and protecting Pasmanda Muslims from land mafias. In our first 100 days, we’ve delivered tax relief for youth, reforms in space, nuclear, and gig sectors, and launched WAVES to boost creativity. India cannot afford delays, our progress must be driven by performance,” he said.

    Home minister Amit Shah, addressing electoral concerns and national unity, added, “I want to reassure our southern states that the delimitation process will be fair and proportionate. The opposition is creating fear to divert attention from its own failures… The idea of ‘One Nation, One Election’ is rooted in efficiency and unity, values our youth must uproot politics of appeasement.”

    Commerce & industry minister Piyush Goyal responded to global trade shifts stating, “We remain committed to fair and balanced trade relationships… Our trade policies, guided by the ‘India First’ principle, reflect growing strategic maturity.”

    On India’s evolving geopolitical stance, minister of external affairs S. Jaishankar said, “We see opportunities even amid global uncertainties… The global community increasingly acknowledges Pakistan’s role in terrorism, and India stands firm in defending its national interests.”

    Technology and infrastructure also took centre stage. IT and I&B minister for railways Ashwini Vaishnaw remarked, “This year, we will see India’s first indigenous semiconductor chip. In AI, India has the talent and vision to lead… Our approach is not just timely, but responsible.”

    On infrastructure and road safety, minister Nitin Gadkari shared, “The rules apply to everyone, including myself… Real progress comes from a sense of shared responsibility.”

    International insights came from professor Jeffrey Sachs, who said, “India is in a unique position… With its scale, talent, and resolve, India is poised to become the world’s second-largest economy, not by imitation, but on its own terms.”

    The summit also welcomed an eclectic mix of national figures including justice D.Y. Chandrachud, Scott Kelly, Abhinav Bindra, Aravind Srinivas, Børge Brende, Sunny Deol, and Kajol, reflecting the convergence of innovation, governance, space science, sports and culture.

    The 2025 edition of the Rising Bharat Summit stood as a clarion call for collaboration and purpose. It celebrated a confident, inclusive India, placing youth at the centre of policy, progress and global ambition.

  • TV9 Summit 2025 puts India’s global rise in the spotlight

    TV9 Summit 2025 puts India’s global rise in the spotlight

    MUMBAI: TV9 Network hosted the third edition of its flagship ‘What India Thinks Today Summit’ on 28 and 29 March 2025 at the iconic Bharat Mandapam. With the theme ‘India in the New World Order’, the two-day summit carved out a dynamic global platform for thought leaders, ministers, cultural icons, and business visionaries to chart India’s path in an evolving geopolitical landscape.

    Prime minister Narendra Modi headlined the event with a powerful keynote address, calling the summit a vital forum shaping the nation’s future. “The ideas exchanged here will define India’s future,” he stated, adding, “What TV9 thinks today, other channels will follow.”

    The event began with an impactful session featuring Union minister Nitin Gadkari, who made a headline-grabbing announcement, “A big decision on toll within a week, public concerns will be addressed soon.”

    Actors Vijay Deverakonda and Yami Gautam brought cinematic flair to the stage, offering personal insights into fame and success. Meanwhile, actors Amit Sadh and Jim Sarbh stirred excitement with a preview of their upcoming thriller, Pune Highway.

    A moving moment came when 28 winners of News9’s Indian Tigers and Tigresses India’s largest youth football talent hunt were felicitated and posed for a group photo with the prime minister himself.

    TV9 Network MD & CEO of Barun Das, reflected on the global vision,“We at TV9 Network have initiated our engagement last year in the News9 Global Summit at Stuttgart, Germany, which will be bigger and better in October, later this year. We also have two more geographies on our radar, the UAE and the USA for News9 Global Summit. These are initiatives that precede TV9 Network’s Global expansion under the guidance of our chairman, Rameshwar Rao.”

    The second day adopted a dual-track format, diving into national issues and the global economic landscape. Union ministers including Piyush Goyal, Ashwini Vaishnaw, G. Kishan Reddy, and Chirag Paswan shared insights on governance and policy. chief ministers Rekha Gupta, Bhagwant Mann, Mohan Yadav, Himanta Biswa Sarma, and Pushkar Singh Dhami addressed challenges such as secularism, welfare policies, and the Uniform Civil Code.

    The summit also brought out a spectrum of political perspectives from figures like Smriti Irani, Randeep Surjewala, Imran Pratapgarhi, and RSS’s Sunil Ambekar. Healthcare was in sharp focus, with Navneet Saluja of Haleon (Sensodyne) dissecting India’s approach to public health, and Vedanta’s Anil Agarwal delivering a keynote on global business readiness.

    On the international front, former UNGA President Abdulla Shahid spoke about the Global south’s rise, while cultural voice Pandit Dhirendra Shastri addressed the event as a ‘Hindu Crusader’.

    Economic deliberations gained momentum with a virtual address from chief economic advisor V. Anantha Nageswaran, followed by in-depth panels on AI, e-mobility, infrastructure, sustainability, and education. Eminent voices like K.T. Mahhe (Sreenidhi University), Abhishek Singh (IndiaAI), Hisashi Takeuchi (Maruti Suzuki), Rajesh Nambiar (NASSCOM), and Nilesh Shah (Kotak AMC) enriched the conversation.

    Backed by marquee sponsors including Sensodyne, Sreenidhi University, HP Lubricants, Tata Motors, and Government partners from Uttarakhand, Arunachal Pradesh, and Madhya Pradesh, the summit was a showcase of collaboration and vision.

    With sessions now available on News9’s Youtube channel and News9 Plus, this landmark summit continues to ripple across conversations, shaping how India is perceived—and how it positions itself—in the global order.