Event Coverage
Role of skilling, education in media and entertainment sector critical in realizing vision of Viksit Bharat: Secretary, Skill Development & Entrepreneurship, GoI
MUMBAI: Govt of India, secretary, ministry of skill development & Entrepreneurship Atul Kumar Tiwari said that the Indian media and entertainment sector is growing rapidly and there is immense potential for skilling in this sector. This sector has been growing with a CAGR of over 13 per cent in the last few years and employes 30 lakh people directly and 55 lakh indirectly. Skilling combined with education and scaling can help India achieve the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047, there by supporting the GDP as well as establishing the prowess in India’s soft power, he added.
Addressing the session on ‘LEAPing into the Future’, at FICCI FRAMES 2024, Tiwari said that in order for India to prosper, there is a need for creating a mass awareness about skilling. The New Education Policy (NEP) along with all government policies focuses on skilling. All sectors of the economy are recognizing that skilling is going to be a game-changer for India. With our country’s demographic advantage, having the youngest and the world’s largest number of working-age individuals, skilling will lead to a significant enhancement in productivity and employment. We have the youngest population in the world, largest number of working population and skilling them will lead to a great deal of enhancement in productivity and employment along with competitiveness, he noted.
Tiwari also emphasized spreading awareness on ‘LEAP – Leveraging Education to Accelerate Progress’, which is the need of the hour. That nothing is more creative than making a film. The government, he said, is working to identify and bridge the skilling gap through policy initiatives along with industry and academia collaboration. “There is a need for us to identify the opportunities and create awareness among people, especially in tier 2,3 cities to attract more talent,” he emphasized.
He further stated that the M&E sector has experienced a remarkable transformation with the advent of the internet, revolutionizing entertainment consumption. The dynamics of content creation have shifted, leading to a buzzing M&E landscape that not only entertains but also promotes and preserves cultural heritage, added Tiwari.
He also stated that the Indian media and entertainment sector not only provides support to nation’s GDP but also promotes tourism, increase in cultural exchanges and strengthens India’s soft power.
Whistling Woods International (WWI) filmmaker & founder and chairman Subhash Ghai highlighted the role of education and skilling in media and entertainment sector. He added that we are currently relying on memory-based education rather than skill-based education. It is crucial to develop skill-based education in the country, noted Ghai.
FICCI, secretary general SK Pathak said, “In the 25 edition of FICCI FRAMES in 2025, we will identify the transformational changes required in the media and entertainment industry, focusing on the initiatives needed for India in 2030.”
Ashish Kulkarni, chair, FICCI AVGC-XR Forum and Founder, Punnaryug delivered the vote of thanks.
Hande Ercel, Turkish actress was also present during the inaugural session.
Event Coverage
Anime India announces Amazon MX Player as co-presenting partner for Anime India Kolkata 2026
MUMBAI: Riding high on the success of its blockbuster Mumbai debut, Anime India is accelerating its nationwide expansion with the announcement of Amazon MX Player as the co-presenting partner for Anime India Kolkata. The partnership marks a significant step forward in the festival’s mission to deliver large-scale, accessible, and fan-first anime experiences across the country.
Scheduled for 14 and 15 February 2026 at the iconic Biswa Bangla Mela Prangan, Anime India Kolkata will launch the first regional chapter of what is set to be a year-long, multi-city tour. As the curtain-raiser for the 2026 circuit, the Kolkata edition aims to fuse the energy of global Japanese pop culture with India’s fast-growing community of anime, manga, and pop-culture fans.
A household name in digital entertainment, Amazon MX Player brings unmatched reach and cultural relevance to the Anime India platform. With its expanding focus on anime and youth-driven content, Amazon MX Player’s involvement as co-presenting partner reinforces Anime India’s vision of making anime culture more inclusive breaking barriers of language, geography, and accessibility to connect with fans nationwide.
Anime India Kolkata 2026 will showcase cosplay competitions, interactive zones led by the Indian Gunpla Community, India-39 Vocaloid Community, The Japan Curry, and Adda-o-Otaku by The Otaku Guild. Fans can join tournaments across fighting games, Pokémon VGC, and more. Acclaimed Japanese director Susumu Mitsunaka (Haikyu!!) will attend as guest of honour, appearing in panels and live sessions. Positioned as an immersive celebration of fan culture and industry collaboration, the Kolkata edition marks the beginning of Anime India’s nationwide expansion.
Sharing their perspective on the partnership, Amazon MX Player director Aruna Daryanani expressed, “Anime in India has evolved from a niche interest into a mainstream cultural movement, driven by an increasingly engaged and passionate fanbase. At Amazon MX Player, our focus is on expanding access by bringing anime to audiences across the country for free and in multiple local languages. Our association with Anime India reflects our commitment to supporting the growth of anime in India and deepening connections with fans, while continuing to build Amazon MX Player as a trusted destination for free, high-quality entertainment.”
“Anime India Kolkata is a celebration of how anime has grown beyond entertainment into a powerful cultural and creative force. By bringing fans, creators, and industry leaders onto one shared platform, the festival is helping define the future of pop culture in India,” said Anime India co-founder and director Neha Mehta.
The debut edition of Anime India 2025 in Mumbai attracted over 29,000 fans, quickly cementing its status as a landmark celebration of anime and Japanese pop culture. Riding on this overwhelming response, the Kolkata chapter is projected to draw more than 40,000 visitors across two days, positioning it as one of the biggest anime conventions ever held in eastern India.
Anime India is focused on bringing together fans from across the country to create a truly pan-India celebration of anime, manga, cosplay, gaming, and Japanese culture. With plans to expand into four key metropolitan hubs in 2026—east (Kolkata), north (Delhi), west (Mumbai), and south (Hyderabad)—the festival seeks to deliver globally benchmarked experiences while supporting and uplifting creators, artists, and fan communities throughout India.
