Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], February 6: At the World Audio Visual & Entertainment Summit (WAVES) 2025, Saraswathi Vani Balgam, an acclaimed writer and CEO of Dancing Atoms, emphasized the crucial role of empowering youth in the entertainment industry. Speaking at the event, Balgam praised the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) for its support in nurturing young talent, stating, “We have received support from the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) to take the youth forward. The youth is teaching us what they want, so until we do not listen to the voice of the youth, how will we take it into policies?”
Balgam also applauded MIB’s efforts in organizing large-scale competitions, providing young creators with a platform to showcase their talents. She stressed the need for cultivating a passion for comic creation while encouraging young creators to view it as a legitimate industry, emphasizing, “Making comics is not just a game, it’s how we translate it into business.”
In her speech, Balgam urged attendees to embrace the growing opportunities in the entertainment sector and emphasized the importance of children meeting industry leaders and experts for a deeper understanding of the industry.
India’s prominent position in the global Media & Entertainment sector was highlighted at the summit, with an emphasis on content creation, investment opportunities, and the “Create in India” initiative. The summit aimed to foster collaboration and innovation within the industry, encouraging international trade and helping shape the future of entertainment.
A key development at the summit was the launch of ‘WAVES,’ India’s public broadcaster Prasar Bharati’s own OTT platform. Launched in November, the platform offers a wide range of content under the slogan “Waves – Family Entertainment Ki Nayi Lehar,” available in over 12 languages including Hindi, English, Marathi, Tamil, and Assamese.
Launched by Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant at the International Film Festival of India (IFFI) 2024, ‘WAVES’ aims to redefine family entertainment. The platform features 65 live TV channels, on-demand video content, free-to-play games, and online shopping in collaboration with ONDC, providing diverse, accessible content to audiences across the nation.