News Broadcasting
Indian contingent chases animation
SAINT TROPEZ: A small Indian contingent consisting of Delhi French embassy representative Reghu Devraj, Delhi-based New Image Entertainment promoter HS Bedi, Mumbai-based CEO Star Entertainment Pvt Ltd promoters Jiten and Shabnam Hemdev, Indiantelevision.com promoter & CEO Anil Wanvari and The Economic Times Bangalore deputy resident editor Asha Rai marked their presence at Rendez-Vous 2002 organised by Television France International in Saint Tropez in south France (9-13 September).
The flavour of the market for the Indians was French animation. AB International, Teleimages International, Antefilms, Carrere group, Dargaud Marina, France Animation, M6, Marathon International, were among the programme sellers booths that the Indians frequented.
Hemdev believes that the TVFI market’s small size (vis-a-vis Mipcom and MipTV) is a positive for television buyers. “You can interact closely with the best of French programme makers, watch their shows at the screenings and then take a decision back in India.”
Says New Image Entertainment’s Bedi: “Some of the French animation products appear to be good for India. And some of the meetings I had appear to be promising. I have not bought any of the programmes as yet, but once the tapes come in and I take a look I will be in a position to take a decision.”
Hemdev believes that the TVFI market’s small size (vis-a-vis Mipcom and MipTV) is a positive for television buyers. “You can interact closely with the best of French programme makers, watch their shows at the screenings and then take a decision back in India.”
According to Wanvari, price is going to be key for French animation to work in India. “India is a complicated market and pricing licensing fees for programmes as per what European buyers are willing to pay is a sure route to disaster. French programmers have to understand this and partner with genuine Indian companies the promoters of which have a keen interest to develop the Indian market for them. A long term view on the market is needed,” he says.
If the French programme sellers understand this, we may well have many dubbed/subtitled French shows/movies debuting on television this year.
News Broadcasting
Rising Bharat Summit 2026 spotlights India’s global ascent
PM Modi keynotes two-day event with ministers, diplomats and icons in New Delhi.
MUMBAI: India didn’t just host a summit, it threw a coming-out party for a nation ready to own the global stage. The News18 Rising Bharat Summit 2026, held on 27–28 February in New Delhi, emerged as a high-octane platform for ideas, vision and strategic dialogue, uniting national leadership, global policymakers, industry titans, defence strategists and cultural icons under the theme “Strength Within”.
Prime minister Narendra Modi set the tone with a keynote that framed India’s resurgence as a reclaiming of lost potential built over generations. “In previous industrial revolutions, India and the Global South were merely followers,” he said. “But in the era of Artificial Intelligence, India is a partner in decisions and shaping them.” He highlighted the country’s thriving AI startup ecosystem and the recent AI Impact Summit attended by over 100 nations.
Union minister Piyush Goyal (Commerce & Industry) stressed India’s readiness to scale exports and deepen manufacturing, while Ashwini Vaishnaw (Railways, I&B, Electronics & IT) positioned technology and infrastructure as twin engines of growth, especially in AI and digital trust. Jyotiraditya Scindia (Communications & North East Development) revealed India’s ambition to lead in 6G through the Bharat 6G Alliance and partnerships with over 30 countries.
Global voices added depth: former Singapore Foreign Minister George Yeo called India’s development “self-sustaining” and strategically vital; ex-UK Chief of Defence Staff General Sir Nick Carter asserted India deserves a seat at the great powers’ table; and former US Commerce Secretary Carlos M. Gutierrez joined ambassadors from Norway, Germany and Sweden in discussions on geopolitical realignment, sustainability and defence preparedness.
Other speakers included veteran investor Ramesh Damani, World Gold Council CEO David Tait, Vianai Systems founder Dr Vishal Sikka, DeepTech Bharat Foundation co-founder Shashi Shekhar Vempati, defence experts Rajesh Kumar Singh, Sunil Ambekar, Patrick McGee, Tom Cooper and Adrian Fontanellaz, plus cultural and sporting icons Kangana Ranaut, Saina Nehwal, PR Sreejesh, Mohammed Shami, Yuzvendra Chahal, Mithali Raj, Anil Kapoor and Yami Gautam.
The summit was supported by Jio Financial Services (Presenting Partner), Phonepe and DS Group (Co-Presenting Partners), Pernod Ricard India and Kia Seltos (Powered By & Driven By), state governments of Uttar Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Uttarakhand (State Partners), and associate partners including NSE, M3M Foundation and Reliance Industries.
Broadcast live across News18 Network, CNBC-TV18 and CNBC Awaaz, the event reinforced India’s image as a confident democracy and emerging global power proving that when strength comes from within, the world can’t help but watch.
