Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
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0.5m depth:{3}°C
- This middle 50% range (between 25th and 75th percentiles) is calculated based on the maximum/minimum temperature and relative humidity data within a 5-day period centred on that day in the 30 years from 1991 to 2020.
- “9-day Weather Forecast” provides general indications of the trends in weather for the coming 9 days. For detailed description of today’s weather forecast, please refer to “Local Weather Forecast“.
- The Probability of Significant Rain (PSR) forecast provides users with additional reference on rainfall amount and forecast trend for the coming 9 days. The PSR forecast on each day indicates the probability of the accumulated rainfall generally over Hong Kong reaching 10 mm (i.e. around the mean daily rainfall in rainy season) or more on that day. There are 5 categories of probability as follows:
- The accuracy of forecast generally decreases while the error generally increases with forecast period. For forecast elements in “9-day Weather Forecast” other than PSR, the average accuracy for the next one to three days, four to seven days, and eight to nine days are about 90%, 85% and 80% respectively. The errors of PSR forecast in the next one to six days are within around 10% and those in seven to nine days are within around 20%.
- The accuracy and error of forecast also vary for different weather systems in different seasons. Generally speaking, weather in spring and summer such as fog, tropical cyclone and severe convective weather is more changeable, resulting in higher uncertainty of forecast.
The Alert Response Level under the Government’s Preparedness and Response Plan for the Zika Virus Infection is activated
CSD holds passing-out parade (with photos)
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
CSD holds passing-out parade
At the parade, the CSD Guard of Honour and passing-out correctional officers assembled to form the abbreviation of the Department, “CSD”, and a heart pattern during a foot drill demonstration, symbolising their devotion to Hong Kong and readiness to shoulder the CSD’s mission of guarding the last element of the criminal justice system.
Speaking at the parade, Reviewing Officer Mr Tang said that the CSD shoulders the missions of safeguarding national security and social stability. The CSD has long been committed to adopting a secure, safe and humane approach in detaining persons in custody (PICs), and has introduced a number of measures to optimise management effectiveness and bring convenience to the public, such as the implementation of the Approved Hand-in Articles e-Ordering Service which enables visitors to order approved hand-in articles for PICs through an online platform. The Service reduces the time for visitors to source the articles in the market and the inconvenience of carrying the articles to correctional institutions, as well as enhances the operational efficiency of correctional institutions.
Mr Tang commended the CSD for actively launching new initiatives in the area of rehabilitation work to assist PICs to turn over a new leaf and reintegrate into society, including organising a two-year full-time Associate Degree programme for graduates of the Ethics College, extending the Ethics College to Pik Uk Prison and launching Project JET to provide one-stop training and career development opportunities for PICs. Moreover, the Department has actively promoted crime prevention education. Through the Rehabilitation Pioneer Project and the Captain Gor Union, the CSD is committed to instilling in young people correct values and nurturing them into a new generation of law-abiding young people with an affection for the country.
He mentioned that the CSD has actively fostered collaboration with Mainland and overseas correctional institutions. The Department hosted the 42nd Asian and Pacific Conference of Correctional Administrators last year, playing the role of an international link. The Department organised the first Greater Bay Area Correctional Services Tactical Skills Competition in January this year and plans to provide tactical skills training courses at the Hong Kong Correctional Services Response Tactics Training Base for correctional officers on the Mainland and overseas, with a view to deepening exchanges among correctional institutions, making its best endeavours to tell good correctional stories and to tell good stories of Hong Kong.
Furthermore, the CSD is committed to the community and cares for the vulnerable. The Correctional Services Department Sports Association launched an online gift sales platform for charity called Made in Prison early this year to sell handicrafts made by PICs. All proceeds from the sale, after deducting necessary costs, will be donated to local registered charitable organisations, thereby providing PICs with opportunities to contribute to society.
Mr Tang encouraged the passing-out correctional officers to become new forces of correctional officers who are staunchly devoted to their duties and who contribute wholeheartedly to Hong Kong’s prosperity and stability as well as to the steadfast and successful implementation of the “one country, two systems”.
During the parade, Mr Tang presented the Principal’s Shield to Officer Mr Chu Yan-ching; and the Golden Whistle to four Assistant Officers II, namely Ms Lee Wing-yan, Mr Tsang Hou-sing, Mr Mok Pak-kin and Mr Ng Chiu-kit, for their outstanding performance in recruit training.
Issued at HKT 19:35
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CS chairs interdepartmental working group meeting on festival arrangements (with photos)
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
The Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Chan Kwok-ki, today (April 25) chaired a meeting of the interdepartmental working group on festival arrangements to holistically co-ordinate and steer the preparatory work of various government departments for welcoming visitors to Hong Kong during the Labour Day Golden Week of the Mainland. The Deputy Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Cheuk Wing-hing; the Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Miss Rosanna Law; the Secretary for Transport and Logistics, Ms Mable Chan; the Under Secretary for Security, Mr Michael Cheuk, and representatives from other relevant government departments also attended.
Mr Chan said, “We estimate a notable increase in visitor arrivals during the Labour Day Golden Week of the Mainland. The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government will make good preparations for receiving visitors, as well as maintaining close liaison with relevant organisations and the travel trade to prepare well for crowd management, information dissemination and arrangements of public transportation and boundary control points (BCPs), with a view to responding promptly to various kinds of emergencies and ensure the smooth operation of various aspects in receiving visitors and offering a high-quality experience to them.”
Estimated visitor flow and preparatory work
According to the Immigration Department (ImmD)’s estimate, around 5.71 million passengers (including Hong Kong residents and visitors) will pass through Hong Kong’s sea, land and air control points during this year’s Labour Day Golden Week of the Mainland (i.e. from May 1 to 5), among which 4.90 million passengers will pass through land control points.
The ImmD estimates that the peak period of outbound passengers using land BCPs is expected to be May 3 (Saturday) with around 590 000 passengers; whilst the peak period of inbound passengers using land BCPs is expected to be May 5 (Monday) with around 580 000 passengers. Passengers are advised to plan in advance, avoid making their journeys during busy periods and keep track of radio and TV broadcasts on traffic conditions at various control points. The busy times at BCPs are available on the ImmD website at www.immd.gov.hk. Furthermore, residents and passengers may also check the estimated waiting times at each land BCP at any time or place via the Immigration mobile app. They can then plan their trips effectively and save time queuing at control points.
In terms of Mainland inbound visitors, it is estimated that around 840 000 passengers will visit Hong Kong via various sea, land and air control points during the five-day Labour Day Golden Week of the Mainland. Compared with last year’s Labour Day Golden Week of the Mainland and this year’s Chinese New Year Golden Week of the Mainland, the daily average visitor arrivals are expected to increase by 10 per cent and 13 per cent respectively. Major tourist spots have formulated special arrangements to handle the estimated increase of people flows. The Hong Kong community is expected to become more vibrant and highly patronised during the Labour Day Golden Week of the Mainland, bringing opportunities to various sectors.
The Travel Industry Authority (TIA) has also reminded travel agents receiving Mainland inbound tour groups to adopt appropriate diversion measures to enable proper management of visitor flows and tour buses, with a view to offering a pleasant travel experience to visitors. In addition, District Offices will closely monitor the flow of visitors within their respective districts and notify relevant departments having regard to the actual circumstances with a view to strengthening management of the relevant spots.
Co-ordinate control points, traffic and public transport facilities
Relevant departments have minimised leave for frontline officers to enable flexible deployment of manpower and operation of additional counters and channels, with a view to diverting passenger and vehicular flows. The Inter-departmental Joint Command Centre set up by the Police, the ImmD, the Customs and Excise Department (C&ED), and other relevant departments will be activated from May 1 (Thursday) to May 5 (Monday) to monitor the real-time situations at various control points. The Joint Command Centre will maintain close liaison with the Mainland port authorities through the established port hotlines and real-time notification mechanisms, and take timely contingency actions as necessary to flexibly deploy manpower at BCPs to ensure smooth operation of the land control points.
For transport arrangements, the Transport Department (TD) has co-ordinated with relevant operators to enhance transportation services connecting various BCPs, including increasing the frequency of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge (HZMB) shuttle bus (Gold Bus) to less than one minute during peak hours, and the Lok Ma Chau-Huanggang cross-boundary shuttle bus (Yellow Bus) to about two minutes at its highest frequency, as well as increasing the quota of cross-boundary coaches to strengthen services; and formulating a contingency plan by providing a dedicated passage for public transport vehicles at the Lok Ma Chau/Huanggang Port and the Shenzhen Bay Port when necessary to ensure smooth public transport services. In addition, Zhuhai’s traffic management department will also arrange a dedicated lane at the HZMB for the use of the Gold Bus, cross-boundary coaches and large vehicles when necessary. Regarding local public transport services, the TD has approached various public transport operators proactively to enhance their capacity, and reserve sufficient vehicles and manpower to meet the travel needs of visitors. The MTR Corporation Limited will enhance the train services of the East Rail Line between Admiralty and Lo Wu/Lok Ma Chau at different times from May 1 to May 5 to provide convenience for the travelling public and visitors. During these periods, the train frequencies to and from Lok Ma Chau will increase to approximately every 7.5 to 10 minutes, while services to Lo Wu will be enhanced to approximately every five minutes. The Emergency Transport Co-ordination Centre of the TD will continue to operate 24 hours a day to closely monitor the traffic conditions and public transport services in all districts, BCPs, and major stations across Hong Kong, and take prompt measures to address service demands and disseminate the latest traffic updates through various channels.
Protection of visitors
The TIA will conduct inspections in districts where relatively more registered shops for inbound tour groups are located during the Labour Day Golden Week of the Mainland, and offer assistance to visitors and tourist guides to protect inbound tour group visitors’ rights. Additionally, the Police will continue to step up enforcement actions against any illegal acts of taxi drivers including overcharging and refusing hires. The C&ED will also step up inspections of shops serving visitors to combat unfair trade practices.
Weather forecast
It is expected that the weather will be hot from May 1 to May 4 with sunny periods apart from isolated showers. The weather may become more unstable, with more showers towards the latter part of the Labour Day Golden Week of the Mainland. The chances of being affected by tropical cyclones are relatively low. The above forecast is a preliminary assessment, and the Hong Kong Observatory will update the forecast depending on the latest change in weather.
Information dissemination
To assist visitors in planning their itineraries, the Government will strengthen information dissemination including the latest inbound visitor arrivals, the situation at various BCPs, transport arrangements, latest weather forecasts, etc to enable residents and visitors to plan their itineraries according to the latest situation.
The Hong Kong Tourism Board has also launched a dedicated webpage (www.discoverhongkong.com/eng/plan/traveller-info/goldenweek-special-info.html ) to consolidate useful information during the Labour Day Golden Week of the Mainland. The webpage includes information about the opening hours of major sightseeing attractions, public transportation, boundary-crossing services, and other events during the period, including the drone show at the Wan Chai Temporary Promenade to enable residents and visitors to plan their itineraries more conveniently.
CBIC introduces several trade facilitative measures relating to transhipment and air cargo
Source: Government of India
Posted On: 25 APR 2025 5:02PM by PIB Delhi
In line with the announcement in the Budget Speech 2025-26 by the Union Minister for Finance and Corporate Affairs, on facilitating upgradation of infrastructure and warehousing for air cargo including high value perishable horticulture produce and streamlining the cargo screening and customs protocols and making it user-friendly, the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) has introduced several trade facilitative measures in Air cargo in particular and transhipment movement in general.
For logistical convenience or other business decisions, Logistics operators sometimes undertake movement of imported cargo during the customs clearance between Customs areas (Ports/Container Freight Stations/Inland Container Depots etc.) without payment of duty by following transhipment procedure under The Customs Act, 1962. Since old times, transhipment permit fee is required to be paid for every transhipment permit. Over a period of time, due to increase in volume of trade, including transhipped cargo, some experienced delay in the process. As a measure for ease of business, CBIC has examined this matter and with effect from 24th April 2025, CBIC has decided to waive transhipment permit fee henceforth for all the transhipment movements. Changes to the Regulations has been issued vide Notification No. 30/2025-Cus (N.T) dated 24th April 2025 (https://www.cbic.gov.in/f2d0927b-945d-411c-8c34-65d272a6d047) in this regard.
Further, with increase in the volume of air cargo, need was felt by the trade for temporary removal of Unit Load Devices (ULD) outside Customs Area in certain cases of high-value or perishable cargo. Currently, the cargo is being off-loaded in the Air cargo Complexes from ULD before the clearance. As a first step towards streamlining Customs Protocols, and aligning with the international best practices for movement of Unit Load Devices (ULD) outside Customs Area, CBIC has stipulated simplified and harmonised procedure for temporary import of ULDs on the lines of procedure already stipulated for marine containers being handled through the seaports since 2005.
With this simplified procedure, ULDs/air containers could also be imported temporarily outside the Customs area on execution of a Continuity Bond by the air carriers/air console agents, who take responsibility to export back within the specified time period. Earlier, it required the importer of the goods to under the responsibility of exporting the ULDs/air containers back, in case of such temporary import. It is clarified that, the option of importer taking up the responsibility for re-export still exists, if he opts so.
It is further to inform that, the facility of ‘All-India National Transhipment Bond’ at air cargo complexes is operational since 2022. This facility has been intended to avoid multiplicity of the bonds that are submitted by airlines at multiple Customs stations for transshipment of import cargo. In addition, Online filing of Transhipment application has also been enabled in ICEGATE, obviating the need for visiting Service Centre at the Air cargo.
Board Circular No. 15/2025-Customs dated 25th April 2025 may be referred to, for more information.
Above measures are aimed easing of compliances and facilitating trade at Air cargo complexes. The Airlines, Console Agents or other stakeholders are encouraged to use the above facilities.
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NB/KMN
(Release ID: 2124318) Visitor Counter : 49
SUFALAM 2025 Kicks Off at NIFTEM-K, Igniting Innovation in Food Processing
Source: Government of India
SUFALAM 2025 Kicks Off at NIFTEM-K, Igniting Innovation in Food Processing
Union Minister Chirag Paswan Inaugurates SUFALAM 2025, Calls for Innovation-Driven Food Ecosystem
SUFALAM 2025 :Day 1 Highlights India’s Vision to Emerge as a Global Food Basket
Posted On: 25 APR 2025 4:43PM by PIB Delhi
Sonipat, April 25, 2025 – The Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI), in collaboration with NIFTEM-Kundli, inaugurated the second edition of SUFALAM 2025 (Start-Up Forum for Aspiring Leaders and Mentors) today at the NIFTEM-K campus. The two-day conclave is a pivotal initiative aimed at strengthening India’s food processing sector through innovation, entrepreneurship, and collaboration, and aligns with the national vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat.
The event was formally inaugurated by Shri Chirag Paswan, Union Minister for Food Processing Industries, who underscored the vital need to empower India’s youth and position the country as a global leader in food innovation.
“There is no dearth of talent in India—what we need is to harness it better by equipping our youth with the right skill sets. The food processing sector holds endless opportunities, and with focused innovation, we can not only meet our own needs but also establish India as a global food basket. This journey of innovation and capacity-building will not only strengthen our economy but also create vast employment opportunities across the country. The Ministry is committed to enhancing India’s food processing capacity, empowering farmers, and supporting the industry at every step,” he stated.
Dr. Subrata Gupta, Secretary, Ministry of Food Processing Industries, attended the event as Guest of Honour and echoed similar sentiments. He emphasized the importance of improving food productivity while minimizing wastage.
“With rising food demands and limited land, the challenge before us is not just to feed a growing population—but to do so sustainably and efficiently. The Ministry is actively supporting the industry through a slew of measures, focusing on increasing production, reducing wastage, and building robust infrastructure. To move the food industry forward, we must empower our youth with the right skills and develop cutting-edge technologies. The Ministry remains fully committed to enabling this transformation and ensuring a resilient, future-ready food ecosystem,” he said.
Welcoming the delegates, Dr. Harinder Singh Oberoi, Director, NIFTEM-K, highlighted the institute’s growing role in bridging academia and industry.
“True success in any industry lies in the seamless collaboration between academia and industry. At NIFTEM, with the unwavering support of the Ministry of Food Processing Industries, we are not just preparing students for jobs — we are empowering them to create jobs. By bridging the talent gap in the food sector and fostering entrepreneurship through collective action, we are shaping the future of India’s food ecosystem,” he remarked.
The inaugural day of SUFALAM 2025 witnessed a dynamic convergence of industry leaders, academicians, investors, and budding entrepreneurs for meaningful knowledge exchange and inspiration. Experience-sharing sessions offered valuable insights into the journeys of emerging startups, while expert-led discussions focused on themes such as sustainable growth, branding, digital outreach, and policy incentives.
A keynote address by Prof. Harpal Singh of IIT Delhi inspired the audience with key learnings from his entrepreneurial journey. Additionally, Prof. Rakesh Mohan Joshi, Vice Chancellor of the Indian Institute of Foreign Trade (IIFT), shared expert insights on global trade dynamics and food entrepreneurship.
More than 250 startups from 23 states, including Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Maharashtra, participated in the event. Innovations showcased ranged from cell-cultured meat and plant-based food products to functional foods and rapid detection kits, each contributing to a safer and more robust food ecosystem.
A total of 35 startups registered to pitch their ideas before industry evaluators from esteemed organizations such as Nestlé, Bühler Group, Eureka Analytical Systems Pvt. Ltd., and the Indian Angel Network.
In addition to formal sessions, SUFALAM 2025 featured a dedicated Mentor Lounge, extensive networking opportunities, and an exhibition area showcasing innovations by MSMEs and startups.
With over 300 participants and 65 exhibitors from 20 states, Day 1 of SUFALAM 2025 reaffirmed the Ministry’s strong commitment to nurturing entrepreneurship, driving innovation, and accelerating the growth of India’s food processing industry.
The conclave will continue tomorrow with a series of engaging sessions featuring emerging entrepreneurs, expert panel discussions, and live startup pitches—collectively aimed at shaping the future of India’s food ecosystem.
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Shahid
(Release ID: 2124313) Visitor Counter : 94
NMCG Approves Action Plan 2025 to Strengthen Urban River Rejuvenation under River Cities Alliance
Source: Government of India
NMCG Approves Action Plan 2025 to Strengthen Urban River Rejuvenation under River Cities Alliance
The plan focuses on integrating river-sensitive urban planning within India’s growing cities
In alignment with the Prime Minister’s vision, the NMCG is steering the development of a URMP for the national capital
River Cities Alliance is a pioneering initiative led by the Ministry of Jal Shakti and the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs
With a current membership of 145 cities, the Alliance promotes a comprehensive approach to urban river management
Posted On: 25 APR 2025 4:25PM by PIB Delhi
In a significant step towards sustainable urban river rejuvenation, the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) has approved an annual master plan for the River Cities Alliance (RCA), charting out a vibrant and action-oriented roadmap of initiatives to be undertaken across the year. The plan encompasses a series of capacity-building programs, knowledge exchange platforms, development of technical tools, expert guidance, and thematic case studies, all focused on integrating river-sensitive urban planning within India’s growing cities.
Launched in 2021, the RCA is a pioneering initiative led by the Ministry of Jal Shakti and the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs. With a current membership of 145 cities, the Alliance promotes a comprehensive approach to urban river management—one that strengthens institutional capacity, fosters inter-city collaboration within river basins, and supports the creation of Urban River Management Plans (URMPs). This year’s approved plan is tailored to further operationalize these goals by rolling out a range of strategic interventions.
A major focus this year will be the promotion of river considerations within city master plans through the organisation of River-Sensitive Master Planning (RSMP) training programs across states. Simultaneously, to support the formulation of Urban River Management Plans (URMPs), the NMCG will conduct training sessions including onboarding programs specifically for RCA cities in Tamil Nadu, with further sessions planned for additional states.
The URMP framework, launched in 2020 by National Institute of Urban Affairs (NIUA) and NMCG, represents a first-of-its-kind approach to ensure that environmental, economic, and social dimensions are considered in the urban management of rivers. Five cities—Kanpur, Ayodhya, Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar, Moradabad, and Bareilly—have already developed their URMPs, setting the benchmark for other urban centres. Notably, Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar’s Kham River Restoration Mission was globally recognised by the World Resources Institute’s Ross Center Prize for Cities, underlining the transformative potential of this initiative.
The year ahead will also see the development of 25 more URMPs as part of the first phase of a larger mission to create 60 such plans across India over the next two to three years. Supported by the World Bank, this initiative marks a bold step in deepening river-sensitive urban governance. Steering Committees have already been constituted in states like Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and West Bengal to facilitate plan formulation and guide implementation.
In alignment with the Hon’ble Prime Minister’s vision, the NMCG is also steering the development of a URMP for the national capital. This initiative seeks to redefine Delhi’s rivers as vital ecosystems and not just water channels, paving the way for sustainable and inclusive urban river management in alignment with national environmental priorities. The URMP in Delhi will serve as a model for other metropolitan cities, anchoring the vision of resilient and river-sensitive urban development.
In an effort to foster basin-linked urban thinking, NMCG will issue an advisory on “Effective vertical coordination among basin, district and city-level river management plans.” Complementing this, a variety of tailored knowledge products will be developed, alongside a feedback mechanism to identify knowledge gaps faced by member cities. Technical support will be strengthened through the formation of Thematic Expert Groups, which will also guide eco-friendly riverfront development initiatives.
To facilitate knowledge exchange and promote best practices, key events such as DHARA, a basin-level RCA meet, and exposure visits to Udaipur and Hyderabad are scheduled. Enhancing governance capacity in river-sensitive urban planning is another priority, with formal training programs to be rolled out in Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) of member cities.
Additionally, RCA will focus on documenting successful on-ground practices through weekly case studies every Monday, showcasing urban river rejuvenation efforts. Public awareness campaigns and sensitisation programs will be launched to promote river-conscious behaviour among citizens. Financial advisory services will be provided to support cities in mobilising resources for river-related projects. Furthermore, NMCG will benchmark member cities on urban river management using the URMP framework to track performance and guide improvements.
Among the initiatives already completed, the development of a new, comprehensive RCA website stands out and the participation in the prestigious World Economic Forum held in Davos in February 2025—demonstrating the growing national and international engagement
The NMCG’s approval of the 2025 plan under RCA marks a pivotal advancement in institutionalising river-sensitive urban planning across India. With a robust calendar of capacity-building programs, technical interventions, collaborative platforms, and city-level support systems, the year ahead promises to be transformative. These efforts not only reflect NMCG’s enduring commitment to revitalizing India’s urban rivers but also strengthen the foundation for resilient, inclusive, and water-secure urban ecosystems nationwide.
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Dhanya Sanal K
(Release ID: 2124307) Visitor Counter : 84
WAVES Bazaar unveils Its First-Ever ‘Top Selects’ Lineup Showcasing 15 Projects in 9 Languages
Source: Government of India
Posted On: 25 APR 2025 4:10PM by PIB Mumbai
India occupies a dominant position in Media & Entertainment sector with talents spread across different geographies of the country, creating compelling contents through its rich cultural heritage. The World Audio Visual & Entertainment Summit (WAVES), to be held from 1st to 4th May in Mumbai, is poised to become one of the landmarks in the Media and Entertainment sector. The summit will promote India as one stop destination for content creation, Investment destination and leverage ‘Create in India’ opportunities as well as for global outreach.
WAVES Bazaar is the premier global marketplace for the media and entertainment industry, a dynamic platform designed to foster connection, collaboration, and growth. It offers filmmakers and industry professionals the opportunity to engage with buyers, sellers, and a wide range of projects and profiles, while also showcasing their skills and expanding their professional network.
The Viewing Room is a dedicated physical platform set up at Waves Bazaar, taking place from May 1st to 4th, 2025. It serves as a space for showcasing recently completed films and projects in Post Production from around the world. These films are actively seeking opportunities for film festivals, global sales, distribution partnerships, and finishing funds.
Designed for film programmers, distributors, world sales agents, investors and other industry professionals, the Viewing Room offers a secure environment where delegates attending Waves Bazaar can watch these films, access detailed project information, and connect directly with filmmakers through our specialized Viewing Room Software.
For the first ever WAVES Bazaar, a total 100 films from 8 countries namely India, Sri Lanka, USA, Switzerland, Bulgaria, Germany, Mauritius and UAE will be available to watch in the Viewing Room Library. The overall lineup includes 18 titles of NFDC produced and co-produced films and adds 8 restored classics from the National Film Archive of India (NFAI). It also includes 19 student projects from Film & Television Institute of India (FTII, Pune) and Satyajit Ray Film & Television Institute (SRFTI, Kolkata)
These 15 Projects selected for the WAVES Bazaar Top Selects Section from the Viewing Room includes 9 Feature projects, 2 documentaries, 2 Short films and 2 Web-Series which will pitch their films to producers, sales agents, distributors, festival programmers and potential investors in an open pitching session during WAVES Bazaar at the Jio World Centre, Mumbai on 2nd May, 2025.
WAVES Bazaar Top Selects 2025
- The Wage Collector | Tamil | India | Fiction Feature
Director – Infant Soosai | Producer – Bagavathi Perumal
- Putul | Hindi | India | Fiction Feature
Director – Radheshyam Pipalwa | Producer – Sharad Mittal
- Doosra Byaah ( Levir) | Haryanvi,Hindi | India | Fiction Feature
Director – Bhagat Singh Saini | Producer – Parveen Saini
- Pankhudiyaan (Petals in the Wind) | Hindi | India | Fiction Feature
Director – Abdul Aziz | Producer – Abdul Aziz, Jyotsana Rajpurohit
- Khidki Gaav (If on a Winter’s Night) | Malayalam | India | Fiction Feature
Director – Sanju Surendran | Producer – Dr. Surendran M N
- Suchana – The Beginning | Bangla | India | Fiction Feature
Director – Pausali Sengupta | Producer – Avinanda Sengupta
- Swaha In the Name of Fire | Magahi | India | Fiction Feature
Director – Abhilash Sharma | Producer – Vikash Sharma
- Gotipua – Beyond Borders | English ,Hindi,Odia | India | Documentary Feature
Director & Producer – Chintan Parekh
- From India | English | USA | Documentary Short
Director & Producer – Mandar Apte
- Third Floor | Hindi | India | Short Film
Director – Amandeep Singh | Producer – Amandeep Singh
- Jahaan | Hindi | India | Fiction Short
Director & Producer – Rahul Shetty
- Planet India | English,Hindi | India | TV Show
Director – Colin Butfield | Producer – Tamseel Hussain
- Bharti Aur Bibo | Hindi | India | Animation Web-Series/TV
Director – Sneha Ravishankar | Producer – National Film Development Corporation &
Puppetica Media Pvt. Ltd
- Achappa’s Album (Grampa’s Album) | Malayalam | India | Fiction Feature
Director – Deepti Pillay Sivan | Producer – National Film Development Corporation
- Duniya Na Mane (The Unexpected) | Hindi | India | Fiction Feature
Director & Producer – V. Shantaram
About WAVES
The first World Audio Visual & Entertainment Summit (WAVES), a milestone event for the Media & Entertainment (M&E) sector, will be hosted by the Government of India in Mumbai, Maharashtra, from May 1 to 4, 2025.
Whether you’re an industry professional, investor, creator, or innovator, the Summit offers the ultimate global platform to connect, collaborate, innovate and contribute to the M&E landscape.
WAVES is set to magnify India’s creative strength, amplifying its position as a hub for content creation, intellectual property, and technological innovation. Industries and sectors in focus include Broadcasting, Print Media, Television, Radio, Films, Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming, Comics, Sound and Music, Advertising, Digital Media, Social Media Platforms, Generative AI, Augmented Reality (AR), Virtual Reality (VR), and Extended Reality (XR).
Have questions? Find answers here
Stay updated with the latest announcements from PIB Team WAVES
Come, Sail with us! Register for WAVES now
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PIB TEAM WAVES 2025 | Nikita / Parshuram | 102
Follow us on social media: @PIBMumbai /PIBMumbai /pibmumbai pibmumbai[at]gmail[dot]com
(Release ID: 2124294) Visitor Counter : 95
DH urges public to receive initial and booster doses of COVID-19 vaccine at appropriate time as COVID-19 activity reaches six-month high in Hong Kong
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
DH urges public to receive initial and booster doses of COVID-19 vaccine at appropriate time as COVID-19 activity reaches six-month high in Hong Kong The CHP will continue to monitor the local situation of COVID-19 through means such as sewage surveillance, the number of severe/death cases, and relevant laboratory testing figures on human infections. For the latest surveillance data, members of the public can refer to the CHP’s weekly COVID-19 & Flu ExpressIssued at HKT 18:55
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Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya Inaugurates 2-Day NSS National Convention, Calls for a Modern Era of ‘Seva’
Source: Government of India
Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya Inaugurates 2-Day NSS National Convention, Calls for a Modern Era of ‘Seva’
Union Minister Dr. Mandaviya Highlights MY Bharat’s Role in Transforming Youth Volunteerism
Youth Must Lead Environmental Activism and Heritage Preservation: Dr. Mandaviya
Posted On: 25 APR 2025 8:40PM by PIB Delhi
Union Minister of Youth Affairs & Sports and Labour & Employment, Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, inaugurated the National Service Scheme (NSS) – National Convention at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, New Delhi today, marking the return of the prestigious gathering after a break of 15 years. The two-day convention will witness participation from more than 200 NSS officers from across the country.
Addressing the NSS Convention, Dr. Mandaviya highlighted the need to redefine ‘Seva’ in the context of current global challenges. Drawing on his experience as a former NSS volunteer, he emphasized the importance of engaging youth in environmental activism, cultural preservation, and experiential learning.
“In the digital era, the meaning of ‘Seva’ must transform. Our youth must be at the forefront of environmental activism, heritage preservation etc. Experiential learning should go hand in hand with Seva must be the new norm,” he said.
He emphasized the transformative role of Mera Yuva Bharat (MY Bharat), launched in 2023 under the visionary leadership of Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, describing it as a unifying platform to channel the energy and potential of youth towards nation-building. Dr. Mandaviya urged all stakeholders to work collectively to inspire, empower, and equip young individuals to become informed and active contributors to the vision of a Viksit Bharat.
Earlier in the day, Dr. Mandaviya chaired the meeting of the National NSS Advisory Council, laying emphasis on modernizing youth volunteerism and aligning NSS with emerging national priorities. The Advisory Council comprises eminent personalities such as Dr. Himanshu Rai, Mr. Ronnie Screwvala, Mr. Malhar Kalambe, Ms. Usha Sharma and Smt. Geetanjali Kirloskar, along with senior officials from NCC, UGC, AICTE, CBSE, and academic bodies.
Key resolutions were passed during the meeting include the formation of expert sub-committees for revamping NSS Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), introducing research-driven initiatives, updating award mechanisms, and enhancing training frameworks. The strategic convergence of NSS and NCC under the Mera Yuva Bharat (MY Bharat) platform was also discussed to create a unified, holistic model for youth engagement.
The strategic integration of NSS and NCC within the Mera Yuva Bharat (MY Bharat) platform was actively explored to foster greater synergy and establish a unified, comprehensive approach to youth engagement. In line with the objectives of the National Education Policy, discussions also focused on linking NSS volunteer activities with enhanced employability, the provision of academic credits, and recognition through nationally accredited skill certifications. Furthermore, the deliberations emphasized the promotion of public-private collaborations, innovation-driven initiatives, and research-oriented volunteerism—marking a pivotal step forward in transforming the NSS into a dynamic vehicle for youth empowerment and nation-building.
The convention was enriched through breakout sessions, zone-wise presentations of best practices, and interactive group discussions, all of which contributed to the development of key proposals that will inform the MY Bharat National Action Framework.
The Ministry reiterated its commitment to revitalizing the NSS as a dynamic platform that fosters patriotism, civic responsibility, and progressive values—empowering the youth of India to take the lead in building a brighter, more inclusive future for the nation.
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Himanshu Pathak
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