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Ashwini Vaishnaw

President Murmu Presents 72nd National Film Awards at Statue of Unity

/ Media Entertainment & Art Community

President Droupadi Murmu presented the 72nd National Film Awards at a ceremony held against the backdrop of the Statue of Unity in Ekta Nagar, Gujarat, recognising achievements in Indian cinema for 2024. A total of 92 awardees were honoured across feature film, non-feature film and writing categories. Veteran actor Anant Nag received the prestigious Dadasaheb Phalke Award for 2024 in recognition of his contribution to Indian cinema over more than five decades. In the feature film categories, Article 370 won the Swarna Kamal for Best Feature Film. Randeep Hooda was honoured with the Best Debut Director award for Swatantrya Veer Savarkar, while Nag Ashwin Singireddy’s Kalki 2898 AD was named Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment. Rajkumar Periasamy received the Best Direction award for the Tamil film Amaran, while the Telugu film 35-Chinna Katha Kaadu won the Best Children’s Film award. The Best Actor in a Leading Role award was jointly conferred on Mammootty for Bramayugam and Kartik Aaryan for Chandu Champion. Yami Gautam received the Best Actress in a Leading Role award for Article 370. Sanjay Mishra was named Best Supporting Actor for Bhakshak, while the Best Supporting Actress award was shared by Sachana Namidass for Maharaja and Ropashree Varkady for Mithya. In the non-feature film category, Marathi film Bhangaar won Best Non-Feature Film, while Aanand L Rai received the Best Direction award for Statue of Unity – Ekta ka Prateek. Sanjeev Shrivastava was honoured with the Swarna Kamal for Best Film Critic in the writing-on-cinema category. For Kartik Aaryan, the award marked his first National Film Award. Expressing his gratitude, the actor described the recognition for Chandu Champion as an important milestone in his artistic journey. Addressing the gathering, President Murmu highlighted the diversity and cultural significance of Indian cinema. She noted that films capture the country’s different languages, traditions and social experiences while creating connections among audiences across regions and presenting India’s cultural heritage to the wider world. Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw congratulated the award winners and acknowledged the contribution of technicians, cinematographers and other professionals working behind the scenes. He also recognised Anant Nag’s contribution to Indian cinema spanning more than five decades. Vaishnaw said the decision to hold the National Film Awards at different tourist destinations was inspired by India’s G20 presidency, during which more than 200 meetings were organised across over 60 cities. He invited states and Union Territories to identify prominent tourist destinations in their respective regions for hosting future editions of the awards. Source: News on AIR

President Murmu Presents 72nd National Film Awards at Statue of Unity Read More »

India Reliable and Prepared to Meet New Global Manufacturing Challenges: PM Modi at SEMICON India 2026

/ Governance Community

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has described India as a reliable and increasingly trusted destination for global manufacturing, saying the country is strengthening its capabilities to respond to emerging challenges in the global supply chain. Inaugurating SEMICON India 2026 at Yashobhoomi in New Delhi, Modi highlighted the rapidly expanding semiconductor ecosystem and the opportunities it is creating for investment, innovation and economic growth. He noted that the surge in artificial intelligence is changing semiconductor requirements, with greater emphasis now being placed not only on transistor size but also on system-level integration, memory placement and thermal management. The Prime Minister said India recorded economic growth of 7.8 per cent despite a challenging global environment, while Japan’s credit rating agency also upgraded the country’s sovereign rating. He said growing economic performance alongside increasing international confidence reflected India’s progress towards becoming a developed nation. Modi said the outlay under India Semiconductor Mission 2.0 has been increased to $13.5 billion from $8 billion under the first phase. He also highlighted the approval of 12 semiconductor manufacturing projects, adding that the next phase would further expand the country’s chip-making capabilities. Referring to the recently concluded BRICS Summit in New Delhi, Modi said the consensus adoption of the New Delhi Declaration demonstrated the growing global confidence in India’s leadership and its ability to bring countries together. The Prime Minister also called on Indian researchers and young technology professionals to contribute to the country’s advanced technology ecosystem. He urged industry leaders to strengthen research and development in India, saying closer collaboration between industry and young researchers could support both industrial growth and technological development. Union Electronics and IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said India’s long-standing ambition to establish a semiconductor industry had gained momentum under the current government. He said Semicon 2.0 would focus on six key areas — semiconductor design, equipment and materials, memory, silicon fabrication, compound and logic fabrication, and research and development. Vaishnaw added that the government aims to support at least 200 startups and companies in designing chips in India for diverse semiconductor applications. SEMICON India 2026, being held under the theme “Silicon to Systems: Building the Ecosystem”, features more than 600 exhibitors, 300 international companies and delegations from over 50 countries. The event includes country pavilions from Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, the Netherlands, Singapore and Sweden, along with 12 state government pavilions and a dedicated Startup Pavilion. The conference and exhibition brings together companies, policymakers, investors, researchers, startups, academic institutions and students from across the global semiconductor and electronics value chain. Source: News on AIR  

India Reliable and Prepared to Meet New Global Manufacturing Challenges: PM Modi at SEMICON India 2026 Read More »

Ashwini Vaishnaw Says India’s Growth Anchored in Infrastructure, Inclusion and Manufacturing

/ Governance Community

Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has said India’s economic growth is gaining global recognition, with the country maintaining a growth rate in the range of 6 to 8 per cent. He attributed the momentum to four key areas — investment in social, digital and physical infrastructure, inclusive development and a strong manufacturing push. Addressing the Uttar Pradesh-Japan Investment Summit 2026 in New Delhi, Vaishnaw said investment remains central to India’s development journey. He noted that annual public investment, which was once relatively limited, has now reached around $130 billion. Highlighting the expansion of infrastructure, the minister said 99.6 per cent of India’s railway network has been electrified. Around 38,000 kilometres of railway lines have been added over the past decade, while 162 semi-high-speed trains have also been introduced. Vaishnaw further said India now has the world’s second-largest road network, with nearly 65,000 kilometres of highways added over the last decade. The number of airports in the country has also doubled during this period, he added. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said the India-Japan partnership is built around shared growth, technological cooperation and prosperity. He highlighted Uttar Pradesh’s emergence as one of India’s three largest state economies and described it as an important engine of the country’s growth. Adityanath said the state’s budget and per capita income have nearly tripled over the past nine years, with the government focusing on security, stability and faster development. He added that more than 96 lakh MSME units, over 35,000 large industries and more than 22,000 startups are contributing to the state’s economic expansion. Union Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said the government is working to accelerate India’s development while placing particular emphasis on farmers and the agriculture sector. Chouhan said increasing agricultural production and positioning India as the world’s food basket are among the government’s key objectives. He stressed that greater farm mechanisation will be important for lowering agricultural production costs and improving farmers’ productivity. The minister also underlined the need to ensure that research and technological innovations reach farmers directly, helping them adopt modern agricultural practices. Calling Uttar Pradesh a state with significant investment potential, Chouhan said it has increasingly emerged as a hub for global investment. He also described India-Japan ties as a relationship that extends beyond government-to-government cooperation, calling it a convergence of two civilisations. Source: News on AIR  

Ashwini Vaishnaw Says India’s Growth Anchored in Infrastructure, Inclusion and Manufacturing Read More »

31 More Applications Approved Under Electronics Components Manufacturing Scheme

/ Governance Community

The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has approved 31 additional applications under the Electronics Components Manufacturing Scheme (ECMS), with a projected investment of ₹7,877 crore. The latest approvals are expected to create more than 9,500 employment opportunities across the country. The applications have been received from 10 states, with Tamil Nadu accounting for seven approvals, while Maharashtra and Haryana received six each. Union Minister for Electronics and Information Technology Ashwini Vaishnaw formally handed over the approval letters to the selected applicants at an event in New Delhi. The approved projects cover the manufacturing of a range of electronic components, including acetylene black, speakers and microphones, optical transceivers, capacitors and coils. With the latest approvals, the total number of companies approved under the ECMS has reached 106. Vaishnaw said the government had initially set an investment target of ₹59,000 crore under the scheme, but the target has already been surpassed, with projected investments now crossing ₹69,000 crore. Source: News on AIR

31 More Applications Approved Under Electronics Components Manufacturing Scheme Read More »

Five Semiconductor Plants Expected to Be Operational in India by End of 2026: Ashwini Vaishnaw

/ Human Resource Community

India is on track to have five semiconductor manufacturing plants operational by the end of 2026, Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has said, marking a significant milestone in the country’s efforts to build a strong domestic semiconductor ecosystem. According to the minister, the Centre has approved 12 semiconductor projects, of which three facilities have already entered commercial production, while two more are expected to be inaugurated in the coming months. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had earlier inaugurated the country’s first and second semiconductor plants on February 28 and March 31, 2026, respectively. Vaishnaw noted that the commercial launch of the CG SEMI (OSAT) facility in Sanand, Gujarat, has further strengthened global confidence in India’s semiconductor manufacturing capabilities. He said the country is steadily building a world-class semiconductor ecosystem that will support India’s long-term economic and technological growth. The minister also praised the Gujarat government for its efficient execution, highlighting that the CG SEMI facility progressed from groundbreaking to commercial production in just 27 months. Beyond manufacturing, the plant has also generated employment opportunities for young women from states including Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, Jammu & Kashmir, Kerala, and Gujarat, many of whom received specialised semiconductor training in Malaysia. Vaishnaw added that as India’s semiconductor ecosystem expands, advanced training programmes are expected to become increasingly available within the country. Semiconductor products manufactured at the Sanand facility will cater to the automotive, two-wheeler, and industrial equipment sectors, while also being exported to markets such as Japan, the United States, and Europe, reinforcing India’s position in the global semiconductor supply chain. The CG SEMI project, launched in March 2024 with an investment exceeding ₹7,600 crore, has been developed in collaboration with Renesas Electronics of Japan, enabling access to advanced semiconductor technologies, manufacturing expertise, and global quality standards. Vaishnaw also highlighted the rapid growth of India’s electronics manufacturing industry, which is now valued at nearly ₹13 lakh crore and supports employment for over 25 lakh people. Source: IANS  

Five Semiconductor Plants Expected to Be Operational in India by End of 2026: Ashwini Vaishnaw Read More »

Government Raises Gold, Silver Import Duty to 15% to Control Imports and Support Rupee

/ Governance Community

In a significant policy move, the Indian government has increased import duties on gold and silver to 15% from the earlier 6%, aiming to reduce precious metal imports and ease pressure on the country’s foreign exchange reserves. The decision comes amid growing concerns over India’s rising trade deficit and weakening rupee, as heavy bullion imports have added strain to external finances. Analysts believe the higher tariffs could discourage fresh demand in one of the world’s largest gold-consuming markets. The announcement follows Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent appeal urging citizens to postpone non-essential gold purchases for a year in the national interest. He had cited global economic uncertainty and tensions in the Middle East as reasons to conserve foreign exchange reserves. According to trade estimates, India’s gold imports have surged sharply in recent years, with increasing shipments from the UAE. Policy experts have also called for a review of tariff concessions under the India-UAE trade agreement, which they say contributed to higher imports. Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw also supported the move, stressing the need to reduce import-driven spending as geopolitical instability continues to impact global markets and energy routes through the Strait of Hormuz. The tariff hike has triggered mixed reactions. While some see it as a necessary step to protect the rupee and improve the trade balance, others fear it may encourage smuggling, disrupt wedding-season buying, and increase costs for consumers. Source: TOI  

Government Raises Gold, Silver Import Duty to 15% to Control Imports and Support Rupee Read More »

India Hosts AI Impact Summit in New Delhi, Welcomes Global Leaders and Tech Titans

/ Governance Community

India has kicked off the five-day AI Impact Summit in New Delhi, bringing together world leaders, policymakers and top technology executives to deliberate on pressing issues such as job displacement, child safety, regulation and the future of artificial intelligence. Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the summit, describing it as a milestone in India’s rapid progress in science and technology. In a post on X, he said the event highlights both the nation’s technological advancement and the potential of its youth. The summit aims to chart a “shared roadmap for global AI governance and collaboration.” Organisers have billed this as the largest edition of the summit so far, with an expected 250,000 participants, including 20 heads of state and 45 ministerial delegations. Among the prominent leaders expected to attend are French President Emmanuel Macron and Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. The event has also drawn major figures from the global technology industry, including Sundar Pichai of Google, Sam Altman of OpenAI, Cristiano Amon of Qualcomm, Brad Smith of Microsoft, and Yann LeCun, Executive Chairman of AMI Labs. However, the opening day was marred by criticism as attendees reported overcrowding, long queues and organisational confusion. According to delegates quoted by Reuters, unclear instructions and sudden security clearances ahead of high-level arrivals left many scrambling to retrieve belongings. Poor signage and limited seating further compounded the disarray, while some speakers reportedly awaited confirmation of their sessions. Despite early logistical challenges, the summit arrives at a pivotal moment for AI governance. As generative AI tools and advanced systems reshape industries from healthcare to defence and climate modelling, governments worldwide are grappling with how to balance innovation with safety and regulation. Previously hosted in France, the United Kingdom and South Korea, the summit has expanded from a narrowly focused safety forum into a broad-based platform addressing economic growth, ethics, sustainability and international cooperation. India, the world’s most populous country and one of the fastest-growing digital markets, sees the summit as an opportunity to position itself as a bridge between advanced economies and the Global South. Officials point to India’s experience in building large-scale digital public infrastructure—such as digital identity and payment systems—as a model for scaling AI solutions affordably and inclusively. Union Minister for Electronics and Information Technology Ashwini Vaishnaw said the vision is to ensure AI serves “inclusive growth and a sustainable future.” The summit revolves around three broad themes — “people, progress, planet” — and is expected to conclude with a nonbinding declaration outlining shared goals for AI development rather than a formal political agreement. Source: Aljazeera

India Hosts AI Impact Summit in New Delhi, Welcomes Global Leaders and Tech Titans Read More »

Prasar Bharati Launches ‘Creator’s Corner’ to Promote India’s Creator Economy

/ Media Entertainment & Art Community

In a major step towards strengthening India’s growing creator economy, public broadcaster Prasar Bharati has announced the launch of a new 30-minute programme titled Creator’s Corner on DD News and its digital platforms. The show will air in prime time from Monday to Friday at 7 pm, with repeat telecasts at 9:30 am from Tuesday to Saturday. The initiative will showcase content created by digital creators, with individual segments ranging from two to ten minutes. Submissions will be selected through an application process and vetted by an independent panel to ensure quality and diversity across subjects. All creators and their channels will receive full on-screen credit for their work. Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw described the move as a landmark reform for Prasar Bharati, calling it the first time content creators are being integrated into a national public broadcasting network under a structured revenue-sharing model. Under this model, 90 per cent of the revenue generated will go to the creators, while Prasar Bharati will retain the remaining 10 per cent. Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting L Murugan said the programme will provide a credible national platform for influencers and creators producing meaningful and high-quality content. Vaishnaw also stated that 2026 will mark a year of wide-ranging reforms for Prasar Bharati, with a shift towards modern programming styles aligned with technology, contemporary themes and the expectations of younger audiences. He further announced a complete restructuring of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, including the introduction of a new operating system aimed at making the ministry and its allied bodies more industry-focused, creator-friendly and technology-driven. The Creator’s Corner initiative was unveiled in the presence of Minister of State L Murugan, Information and Broadcasting Secretary Sanjay Jaju, Prasar Bharati CEO Gaurav Dwivedi, and other senior officials. Source: PTI

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Government Sets Up Live Events Development Cell to Power India’s Rapidly Growing Concert Economy

/ Media Entertainment & Art Community

The Union Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has launched a Live Events Development Cell (LEDC) to provide a structured push to India’s fast-growing live entertainment and concert ecosystem, according to an official statement. Envisioned as a single-window facilitation platform, the LEDC will help simplify regulatory processes, coordinate with states and industry stakeholders, and create an enabling environment for large-scale live events. The broader objective is to position India as one of the world’s leading live entertainment destinations by 2030. The move comes at a time when the organised live events industry is witnessing strong momentum. Valued at ₹20,861 crore in 2024, the sector is expanding at nearly 15% annually and is projected to grow at a CAGR of 18%, outperforming several traditional media segments. Constituted in July 2025 under the direction of Union I&B Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, the LEDC brings together representatives from central and state governments, industry associations, and major event management companies to drive coordinated policy support and sectoral growth. The initiative follows Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s remarks at the WAVES Summit in May 2025, where he underscored the live entertainment industry’s untapped potential to boost investment, tourism, and India’s global cultural footprint. Currently, the sector supports over 10 million jobs, with each large-format event generating more than 15,000 direct and indirect employment opportunities. Growth is no longer limited to metros, as Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities emerge as new demand centres. Data cited from a BookMyShow 2025 report highlights a 490% surge in live event footfalls in Visakhapatnam, while Shillong and Guwahati recorded growth of 213% and 188%, respectively. Overall consumption across music concerts, sports, and theatre rose by 17%. Industry experts note that the increasing presence of global performers alongside extensive domestic tours signals a maturing and globally competitive market. To bridge infrastructure gaps and improve ease of doing business, the ministry has also set up a Joint Working Group with private sector players, including District by Zomato. Through these measures, the LEDC aims to double the size of the live events industry, create 15–20 million jobs, and place India among the top five global live entertainment hubs. Source: Economic Times

Government Sets Up Live Events Development Cell to Power India’s Rapidly Growing Concert Economy Read More »

Ashwini Vaishnaw Pushes for Indigenous Film Equipment, Model Cinema Rules

/ Media Entertainment & Art Community
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Union Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Tuesday emphasized the importance of manufacturing advanced film equipment such as professional-grade cameras in India under the ‘Make in India’ programme. Speaking at the National Film Awards ceremony, he highlighted the government’s commitment to boosting local production capabilities in the entertainment sector. Vaishnaw also revealed that the Centre is preparing Model State Cinema Regulation Rules aimed at harmonising permissions and approvals across states to make film production processes more seamless. The minister stressed the need to build a live concert economy, supported by clear policies, simplified permissions, and uniform guidelines, noting that such steps could significantly expand India’s creative industries. He reiterated Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of positioning India as a global content hub. To further this goal, Vaishnaw said the country’s first International Institute of Cinema and Technology (IICT) has already started operations at the NFDC campus in Mumbai. The institute is offering 17 specialised courses in partnership with global technology giants such as Meta, NVIDIA, Microsoft, and Google. Highlighting global outreach, he mentioned that Indian creators are finding new opportunities abroad through the government-backed Waves Bazaar, which has been showcased in countries including Australia, South Korea, and Canada. Source: PTI  

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