Financial Secretary Paul Chan attended the Constituency Meeting at the 58th Annual Meeting of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) in Milan, Italy yesterday.
Discussions in the Constituency Meeting focused on co-operation between member countries, ways to navigate current economic risks and uncertainties in the region, optimal use of resources to better assist low- and middle-income countries, and provision of technical assistance and support for capacity building in such countries.
Mr Chan stated that the Hong Kong Administrative Region Government welcomes the ADB’s strengthening of support for developing countries in areas such as addressing climate change, boosting the private sector, promoting regional co-operation, and facilitating digital transformation. In addition, he said it supports enhancing technical assistance to improve the effectiveness of development projects.
The finance chief stressed that, as an international financial centre, Hong Kong will continue to share its expertise with other members in areas such as establishing capital markets, promoting green transitions and the development of green finance, and infrastructure financing.
Mr Chan also met Rachel Thompson, the Director representing the Hong Kong, China constituency on the ADB Board of Directors, to discuss how Hong Kong can better assist the ADB in the issuance of insurance-linked securities, including catastrophe bonds.
In the evening, Mr Chan attended a reception organised by the meeting’s host country, Italy.
Director General David Cheng-Wei Wu was honored to take part in the 2025 Buddha’s Birthday Multicultural Festival, hosted by the Buddha’s Light International Association (BLIA) Sydney Branch. At the opening ceremony, Venerable Abbess Manko, Chief Abbess of Fo Guang Shan Nan Tien Temples in Australia and New Zealand, joined leaders from NSW’s religious communities to celebrate Buddha’s Birthday, praying for all living beings and spreading kindness and Great Love.
Distinguished guests included NSW Minister for Multiculturalism Stephen Kamper, Mayor of Willoughby Tanya Taylor, Councillor Robert Kok representing the Lord Mayor of Sydney, and Professor Denise Kirkpatrick, President of Nan Tien Institute. They praised Nan Tien Temple and BLIA for their outstanding contributions to multiculturalism in Australia, calling them a leading example of Coexistence & Co-prosperity. We look forward to continuing our collaboration with Nan Tien Temple to spread positive energy and promote the force for good across Australian society.
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Police today (May 4) appealed to the public for information on a woman who went missing in Western District.
Li Tsoi-kam, aged 74, went missing after she left her residence on Ko Shing Street yesterday (May 3) afternoon. Her family made a report to Police on the same day.
She is about 1.65 metres tall, 60 kilograms in weight and of medium build. She has a round face with yellow complexion and short black hair. She was last seen wearing a jacket with floral pattern, black pants, black shoes and carrying a recycle bag in red colour.
Anyone who knows the whereabouts of the missing woman or may have seen her is urged to contact the Regional Missing Persons Unit of Hong Kong Island on 2860 1040 or 9886 0034 or email to rmpu-hki@police.gov.hk, or contact any police station.
Union Minister for Finance and Corporate Affairs Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman to attend ADB’s Annual Meeting in Milan, Italy, from 4th to 7th May 2025 The Union Finance Minister will also hold bilateral meetings with Finance Ministers of Italy, Japan, and Bhutan as well as heads of other international organisations, besides meeting global think-tanks, business leaders and CEOs in Milan
Smt. Sitharaman will also interact with the Indian diaspora in Milan and also address a plenary session in at the Bocconi University on “Balancing Economic and Climate Resilience”
Posted On: 04 MAY 2025 4:04PM by PIB Delhi
Union Minister for Finance & Corporate Affairs Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman will lead the Indian delegation of officials from the Department of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Finance, to attend the 58th Annual Meeting of the Board of Governors of Asian Development Bank (ADB), scheduled to take place in Milan, Italy, from May 4 to 7, 2025.
The meetings will be attended by official delegations of Board of Governors of ADB, official delegations of ADB members and international financial institutions. The Union Finance Minister will participate in the Annual Meeting’s focal events like the Governors’ Business session, Governor’s Plenary Session and as a panelist in the ADB Governors’ Seminar on “Cross-Border Collaboration for Future Resilience”.
On the sidelines of the ADB’s 58th Annual Meeting, Smt. Sitharaman will also hold bilateral meetings with Finance Ministers of Italy, Japan, and Bhutan, in addition to meetings with President of ADB, the President of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), and the Governor of the Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC).
The Union Finance Minister will also interact with the Indian diaspora in Milan, besides meeting global think-tanks, business leaders and CEOs, and participating in a Plenary Session of the NEXT Milan Forum at the Bocconi University on “Balancing Economic and Climate Resilience”.
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Construction Industry Safety Award Scheme enhances awareness of occupational safety and health This year’s award scheme received an overwhelming response and achieved several breakthroughs. These included surpassing recent enrolment figures with participation from 259 construction sites. Among them, 101 sub-contractors and 172 safety teams competed for awards in two categories, namely “Construction Sites” and “Safety Teams”. Secondly, a new award, Lifting Operation Safety Innovation Award, was introduced in four sub-categories under the “Construction Sites” category, and additional marks were given to construction sites under the sub-category of “Building Sites (Private Sector)” who had joined the Smart Site Safety System Labelling Scheme, encouraging the construction industry to actively apply innovative technologies in OSH. Apart from the award presentation, a fun day was also held today, and a Parent-Child Safety Experience Zone was introduced for the first time, allowing children to operate child-friendly electric construction machinery in a small playground, planting the seeds of OSH in their minds and nurturing future guardians of workplace safety.
Speaking at the ceremony, the Acting Commissioner for Labour, Mr Vincent Fung, said that there was another breakthrough in promoting safety within the scaffolding industry in addition to the aforementioned breakthroughs. After more than a year of efforts, the LD successfully facilitated cross-sectoral collaboration among the scaffolding industry, the insurance industry, the Construction Industry Council (CIC) and the Occupational Safety and Health Council (OSHC). This collaboration led to the inclusion of the Truss-out Scaffolding trade as the 21st designated trade under the Registered Specialist Trade Contractors Scheme. Coupled with the support of the OSH Star Enterprise Scheme by the OSHC, scaffolding contractors can now obtain accreditations in their safety levels further, thereby reducing insurance premiums for scaffolding work. This accreditation will encourage property owners to select scaffolding contractors with recognised OSH standards and motivate scaffolding contractors to proactively enhance their safety standards.
In recent years, the construction industry has made significant strides in the application of innovative technologies in OSH. The LD has also been promoting the use of these innovative technologies. The revised and now-effective Code of Practice for Safety and Health at Work in Confined Spaces requires proprietors or contractors to adopt technology to record videos at the entrance and exit of confined spaces throughout the entire work period to monitor and ensure the implementation of safety control measures to prevent accidents.
The LD will also put the use of small unmanned aircraft (SUA) on trial this year, serving as “sky eyes” to safeguard occupational safety. These SUAs will provide comprehensive assistance in OSH inspection, accident investigation and evidence collection, ensuring that non-compliant operations are exposed. In future, the LD will also collaborate with the OSHC to organise the second OSH Innovation and Technology Expo, aiming to help the industry access the latest advancements in innovation technologies for OSH.
Inaugurated in 1999, the Construction Industry Safety Award Scheme is co-organised by the LD with 16 organisations, namely the OSHC, the Development Bureau, the Hong Kong Housing Authority, the Occupational Deafness Compensation Board, the CIC, the Pneumoconiosis Compensation Fund Board, the Hong Kong Housing Society, the Property Management Services Authority, the Hong Kong Construction Association, the Hong Kong General Building Contractors Association, the Hong Kong Construction Sub-Contractors Association, the Hong Kong Federation of Electrical and Mechanical Contractors Limited, the Minor Works Contractor Association, the Hong Kong Association of Property Management Companies, the Hong Kong Construction Industry Employees General Union, and the Federation of Hong Kong Electrical and Mechanical Industries Trade Unions. The results of the award scheme will be uploaded to the LD homepage later. Issued at HKT 18:15
Sports Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya Leads 750 Participants in Special Event with Teachers at Fit India Sundays on Cycle in Delhi Olympian Wrestlers Ravi Dahiya and Deepak Punia Join Alongside Teachers of Various Institutions in the National Capital
Posted On: 04 MAY 2025 3:05PM by PIB Delhi
The Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium here turned into a celebration of fitness and inspiration this Sunday morning as the latest edition of Fit India Sundays on Cycle witnessed enthusiastic participation from 750 participants, including teachers, athletes, Fit India influencers and fitness lovers.
Leading the charge was Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports, Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, who cycled alongside Union Sports Secretary, Sh. Hari Ranjan Rao along with a powerful line-up of national icons, including Tokyo Olympics silver medalist Ravi Dahiya, Olympian and Commonwealth Games gold medalist Deepak Punia, Guinness World Record holder Rohtash Chaudhary (Push-up Man of India), and renowned mountaineer Narender Kumar, who recently conquered Mount Annapurna, the 10th highest mountain in the world at 8091 meters, in a record time of 12 days.
With this week’s theme being ‘Cycling with Teachers’, the event witnessed educators, mentors, and academic coaches from various educational institutions across the city, including schools, universities and private institutes.
“Teachers are the heroes for our students and now, you have to become heroes for Viksit Bharat. You all can make cycling a fashion and I urge all teachers to restart using cycles themselves and ask students to emulate the same. We are into the digital age but we need to also improve our physical fitness. So, we have to transition from digital activity to physical activity. This will ensure the mission of ‘Fight Against Obesity’ and the vision of Fit India and Viksit Bharat, which our Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has laid down, takes shape,” Dr. Mandaviya said while addressing the participants.
This Sunday’s event was conducted with the teachers in collaboration with our esteemed partners – the Cycling Federation of India (CFI), MY Bharat and the State Governments. The special partners included Physical Education Foundation of India (PEFI), Delhi University, CBSE and CISCE boards, Kendriya Vidyalaya, National Progressive School Conference, National Forensic Sciences University, Yogasana India, Indian Rope Skipping Foundation, and more.
Wrestling stars Ravi Dahiya and Deepak Punia shared words of encouragement with the crowd, urging youth and educators alike to incorporate physical fitness into their daily lives. “This is a very important movement started by our government to ensure physical fitness is given thorough attention. ‘Sharir is shaktimaan’ (your body is the mightiest thing) and keeping this mantra in mind, everyone should cycle at least 1-2 hours a day,” remarked Ravi Dahiya, silver medalist, Tokyo Olympics.
“I truly appreciate this movement as a commendable initiative, and I believe everyone should take up cycling as it promotes fitness and contributes to a pollution-free India,” added Deepak Punia, who narrowly missed out on a medal at the Tokyo Olympics.
Also present was Narender Kumar, fresh from his Mount Annapurna expedition. “I believe, cycling is a great start to better health. Sundays on Cycle seems like a perfect way to promote that. For me, climbing the Annapurna was undoubtedly difficult, but what made it possible was consistent efforts towards fitness. This movement also gives out that message,” he said.
The Fit India Sundays on Cycle initiative has touched 2.5 lakh participation from over 5000 locations, since its launch in December 2024. The wide expanse of the cycling drive has seen the event reach places like Andaman and Nicobar, Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh as well as Lakshwadeep Islands. Events are simultaneously held nationwide with massive participation from SAI Regional Centres, National Centres of Excellence (NCOEs), SAI Training centres, SAI Extension centres, the Khelo India centres (KICs) and Khelo India State Centres of Excellence (KISCEs), among others.
“Rise of India’s Indigenous Sports to the Global Stage” — A Call to Celebrate and Globalize India’s Sporting Heritage, at WAVES 2025 Indigenous games are not just physical contests, but an integral part of our communities, traditions and identity: Odisha CM Mohan Charan Majhi
Khelo India initiative is a transformative force in nurturing grassroots talent and shaping the future of Indian sports: Raksha Nikhil Khadse
Posted On: 04 MAY 2025 2:50PM by PIB Mumbai
Mumbai | 4 May 2025
In a spirited and insightful panel discussion held yesterday at WAVES, Mumbai, the spotlight was turned on the rich heritage of Indigenous Sports and their growing journey from Indian heartlands to global arenas. The session, titled “Indigenous Sports:From India to the Global Stage”, witnessed the convergence of influential policymakers, celebrated athletes, sports entrepreneurs, and thought leaders united in a shared vision: to catapult India’s native games to international recognition and success.
Delivering the keynote address, Shri Mohan Charan Majhi, Chief Minister of Odisha, passionately highlighted the deep cultural roots of indigenous sports in India. “These games are not just physical contests; they are an integral part of our communities, our traditions, and our identity,” he said, expressing gratitude to Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi for his visionary leadership towards making India a global sports powerhouse. Shri Majhi further highlighted that Odisha, home to vibrant tribal communities has preserved these ancient games and is emerging as a sports hub. “We are committed to nurturing rural talents and ensuring every gifted athlete finds a platform to shine”, he stated.
Smt. Raksha Nikhil Khadse, Union Minister of State for Youth Affairs & Sports, expressed her heartfelt gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the WAVES platform for fostering a meaningful dialogue around this significant movement. “India has already emerged as a global ambassador of Yoga. Now, we are proudly showcasing our traditional games like Kho-Kho and Kabaddi on the international stage. The Khelo India initiative is proving to be a transformative force in nurturing grassroots talent and shaping the future of Indian sports,” she remarked. She further emphasized that sports not only promote physical well-being but also strengthen relationships and foster unity—reflecting the very essence of India’s rich cultural heritage.
Anupam Goswami, League Commissioner, Pro Kabaddi League, emphasized India’s vast potential as a sports market. “We must harness this opportunity by promoting indigenous sports, which hold immense emotional and cultural value”, he added.
Fazel Atrachali, iconic PKL athlete from Iran, shared how Kabaddi has transformed lives. “Thanks to PKL, Kabaddi has become a professional sport, giving players fame and financial security”, flagged an elated Fazel.
Nic Coward, Regulatory Chairperson, English Cricket Board, stressed the importance of globalization and modern distribution channels. “To popularize traditional sports worldwide, we must embrace digital platforms, including e-sports”, he flagged.
Sudhanshu Mittal, President of the Kho-Kho Federation, revealed that Kho-Kho is now played in 55 countries, with a target to reach over 90 nations by year’s end. “Our indigenous games are unique—requiring more strategy, stamina, and spirit. They hold immense global appeal. But they need government backing, branding, and diplomatic support”, he asserted.
Yannick Colaco, Founder of Fancode, pointed to technology as a game-changer. “Access and engagement are key. With the right tech, we can create deeper fan connections and take Indian sports global”, he added.
The session was moderated by Mantra Mugdh, who masterfully navigated the discussion, weaving together diverse insights and forward-looking strategies.
WAVEX 2025 Highlights Investment Potential of M&E Startups; working on dedicated angel network for M&E 30 startups were given one-on-one pitching opportunities at WAVES
Posted On: 04 MAY 2025 2:15PM by PIB Mumbai
Mumbai, 4 May 2025
WAVEX 2025, the flagship startup initiative under the World Audio-Visual Entertainment Summit (WAVES) being held in Mumbai is a promising intersection of innovation, entrepreneurship, and investment.
Shri Ashutosh Mohle, Joint Director at the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting (MIB), set the tone with a succinct overview of WAVEX, underscoring its vision of nurturing startups in the M&E space and providing a national platform to scale up their ideas.
Sandeep Jhingran, Chief Growth Officer, Internet and Mobile Association of India (IMAI), expressed satisfaction with the promising response to the initiative. “We received over a thousand applications. Thirty of them pitched directly to investors and over half of them are already in active conversations,” he revealed, emphasizing that such efforts are essential to give focused attention to M&E startups.
Investor voices added further perspective to the transformative potential of the initiative. Shri Rajesh Joshi, Venue Partner from Warmup Ventures, reflected on his personal journey from being a startup founder to becoming an investor. “Life has come a full circle…We’re now speaking with 11 startups,” he added.
Shri Mustafa Harnesswala, Founder of CABIL, highlighted the traditional reluctance in funding this space. “Many shy away from investing in media and entertainment. WAVES is shifting that mindset. We’re now working on creating a dedicated angel network for M&E, and even exploring global linkages through collaborations with international governments.”
The panel also fielded questions from the media, offering insight into the evolving startup landscape. When asked how investors differentiate meaningful content, Rajesh cited the example of “Giggle,” a startup app that is creating a platform that helps avoid cyberbullying and sexual content, calling it a benchmark for responsible innovation.
On gender representation, Sandeep acknowledged the limited participation of women entrepreneurs. “We’re committed to doing better. In the future editions we hope to see more women entrepreneurs coming in,” he added.
Expanding on the event’s format, Sandeep Jhingran shared that 30 startups were given one-on-one pitching opportunities in 2 days; Mustafa Harnesswala emphasized the need for monetization strategies for content creators, stating that initiatives like WAVES help bridge that gap.
WAVEX 2025 continues to establish itself as a game-changer in the startup ecosystem for the M&E sector, breaking old boundaries and fostering new opportunities for innovators across India.
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From Policy to Practice: National Ayush Mission Delegates Immerse in Naturopathy at National Institute of Naturopathy, Nisarg Gram, Pune From yoga demonstrations to satvik meals, delegates experience the holistic vision driving India’s traditional healthcare renaissance
Posted On: 03 MAY 2025 9:00PM by PIB Delhi
Following two days of intensive discussions and knowledge-sharing during the National Ayush Mission (NAM) Conclave 2025 at Kaivalyadhama, Lonavala, over 100 senior delegates from across the country embarked on a post-conclave institutional visit to the National Institute of Naturopathy (NIN), Nisarg Gram, Pune. The visit aimed to deepen the experiential understanding of integrative healthcare and highlight best practices in Ayush-based public health delivery.
The delegation led by Smt. Kavita Garg, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Ayush, Government of India, was joined by senior NAM officials from across States/UTs including Shri Ranjan Kumar, Principal Secretary (Ayush), Government of Uttar Pradesh; and Shri Vivek Kumar, Special Secretary and Director General (Ayush), Government of West Bengal. Senior representatives from state governments, Ayush departments, and associated institutions were also part of the visiting group.
The program began with a warm reception at the Nisarg Gram auditorium, marked by a ceremonial lamp-lighting. Prof. (Dr.) K. Satya Lakshmi, Director, NIN, delivered a detailed presentation on the institute’s pioneering work in education, clinical services, and research in naturopathy and integrative medicine. NIN’s students and interns demonstrated Yoga which reflected the institute’s deep-rooted emphasis on wellness through traditional practices.
Delegates then undertook a guided tour of the 25-acre campus, which included visits to the hospital block, academic infrastructure, Gandhi Memorial Hall, and residential quarters. A satvik meal was served at the Annapurna Mess, thoughtfully curated to reflect the dietary philosophy of naturopathy. The visit concluded with a reflective stop at Bapu Bhavan, a serene space dedicated to Mahatma Gandhi’s ideals of self-care, simplicity, and nature-based healing.
Inaugurated by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, Nisarg Gram represents a ₹213.55 crore investment in advancing integrative health. The campus houses a 250-bed naturopathy hospital, a multidisciplinary research and extension center, and a state-of-the-art medical college offering undergraduate, postgraduate, and paramedical programs. Additional facilities include hostels, yoga halls, auditoriums, wellness cottages, and the historic Gandhi Memorial Hall, creating a holistic environment for education and healing.
The visit reinforced the role of institutions like NIN in driving evidence-based naturopathy and promoting integrative healthcare as envisioned by the Ministry of Ayush under the NAM framework.
“The visit to Nisarg Gram offered an inspiring extension to the NAM Conclave, allowing delegates to witness integrative healthcare in action. It reaffirmed our commitment to promoting evidence-based, sustainable, and Gandhian approaches within the Ayush ecosystem.” said Ms. Kavita Garg, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Ayush.
Union Minister of State for Information & Broadcasting and Parliamentary Affairs, Dr. L Murugan released five significant Reports that collectively present a comprehensive overview of India’s dynamic and rapidly evolving media and entertainment ecosystem, at the ongoing WAVE Summit in Mumbai, yesterday.
Prepared by reputed national and international Agencies, these Reports provide valuable insights into the creator economy, content production, legal frameworks, live events industry, and data-backed policy support.
Statistical Handbook on Media & Entertainment 2024-25
The Statistical Handbook prepared by the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting serves as an essential resource for data-driven policy and decision-making. It captures sectoral trends, audience behaviour, revenue growth patterns, and regional and national trajectories. The handbook is designed to inform and guide future policymaking and industry strategies, ensuring that they remain grounded in empirical evidence and practical realities. Highlights of the Handbook include:
Publications registered with PRGI: increased from 5,932 in 1957 to 154,523 in 2024–25, with a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 4.99%.
Books brought out by Publications Division: 130 books published in 2024–25 on themes such as children’s literature, history, freedom struggle, science, environment, and biographies.
Doordarshan Free Dish: Expanded from 33 channels in 2004 to 381 in 2025.
DTH Service: Achieved 100% geographical coverage by March 2025.
All India Radio (AIR):
Now reaches 98% of India’s population (as of March 2025).
Number of AIR stations grew from 198 in 2000 to 591 in 2025.
Private Satellite TV Channels: Increased from 130 in 2004–05 to 908 in 2024–25.
Private FM stations rose from 4 in 2001 to 388 by 2024; the report provides a state-wise breakup as of March 31, 2025.
Community Radio Stations (CRS): Expanded from 15 in 2005 to 531 in 2025, with state/district/location-wise details included.
Film Certification: The number of Indian feature films certified grew from 741 in 1983 to 3,455 in 2024–25, with a cumulative total of 69,113 films certified by 2024–25.
Film Sector Developments: Includes data on awards, international film festivals, and documentaries produced by NFDC.
Digital Media and Creator Economy: Covers achievements under WAVES OTT, establishment of the Indian Institute of Creative Technologies (IICT), and the Create in India Challenge (CIC).
Landmark Chronology: Features significant milestones in the Information and Broadcasting sector including the establishment of PRGI, Akashvani, Doordarshan, INSAT-based TV services, and private FM radio.
Skilling Initiatives: Information on training and capacity-building programmes under the Ministry.
Ease of Doing Business: Measures implemented to facilitate simplified and transparent processes for media and content creators.
The Report highlights the unprecedented scale and impact of India’s creator economy in the digital era. With 2 to 2.5 million active digital creators, India is home to one of the world’s fastest-growing creator ecosystems. These creators already influence more than $350 billion in annual consumer spending—a figure projected to triple and exceed $1 trillion by 2030.
The report urges stakeholders to look beyond numerical metrics and acknowledge the evolving role of creators as storytellers, culture-shapers, and economic drivers. For businesses, this shift implies moving away from transactional influencer engagements and building long-term partnerships rooted in authenticity, trust, and creative agility.
‘A Studio Called India’ by Ernst & Young – Envisions India as a Global Content Hub
The Report presents India not just as a content-consuming nation but as a studio to the world. It underlines India’s strengths — linguistic diversity, cultural richness, and a technologically adept talent pool — which position the country to create narratives that transcend borders.
India offers a 40% to 60% cost advantage in animation and VFX services, supported by a large, skilled workforce. The report also notes the increasing international appeal of Indian storytelling, with up to 25% of views on Indian OTT content now originating from overseas audiences. This phenomenon is not merely commercial—it represents a moment of cultural diplomacy, wherein India’s stories are forging emotional and cultural connections across continents.
‘Legal Currents: A Regulatory Handbook on India’s Media & Entertainment Sector 2025’ by Khaitan & Co
Recognizing that creativity must be complemented by regulatory clarity, Khaitan & Co. has prepared a detailed legal and regulatory handbook for the media and entertainment sector. Designed as a practical guide for producers, studios, influencers, and platforms, the handbook covers a range of key legal issues such as:
Compliance norms for both domestic and foreign entities
Incentive schemes for international productions
Legal frameworks around influencer marketing and digital content
Definitions and taxation implications in the gaming sector, including GST
Protection of celebrity rights
Ethical considerations and regulatory treatment of AI-generated content
This handbook is intended to equip stakeholders with tools for confident, compliant, and responsible engagement in the creative economy.
Whitepaper on India’s Live Events Industry
The White Paper on India’s Live Events Industry underscores the sector’s robust growth and shifting consumer dynamics. With a 15% year-on-year growth rate, the industry added ₹13 billion in revenue in 2024 alone.
The report notes that nearly half a million fans are now travelling between cities to attend events, reinforcing the emergence of event-based tourism in India. There is a rising demand for premium and curated experiences, and Tier-2 cities such as Shillong, Vadodara, and Jamshedpur are emerging as cultural centres.
To support and scale this momentum, the whitepaper highlights the need for:
Upgraded event infrastructure
Streamlined and simplified licensing processes
Stronger and more transparent music rights frameworks
Formal recognition of the live events sector under MSME and creative economy policies.
The Report calls for a strategic reimagining of India as not just a spectator in the global cultural arena, but a key stage in the international spotlight.
The launch event was attended by Shri Sanjay Jaju, Secretary, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting; Shri R.K. Jena, Senior Economic Advisor, MIB; Smt. Meenu Batra, Joint Secretary, MIB; and Shri Prithul Kumar, Joint Secretary, MIB and MD, NFDC. Representing the Knowledge Partners, Shri Vipin Gupta, Managing Director & Partner, Boston Consulting Group, Ms. Payal Mehta, Partner, Boston Consulting Group; Shri Ashish Pherwani, Partner, Ernst & Young; Shri Amiya Swarup, Partner, Ernst & Young; Ms.Tanu Banerjee, Partner, Technology and Media, Khaitan & Co; Shri Ishan Johri Partner Khaitan & Co; Shri Vinod Janardhan, Director, EVENTSFAQ Live; Shri Deepak Chaudhury MD, EVENTS FAQ also attended the event in Mumbai