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New Delhi, Oct 18 (IANS) Information and Broadcasting Ministry Secretary Sanjay Jaju highlighted India’s growing cultural influence and economic rise while speaking at the NDTV World Summit in the national capital on Saturday.
Referring to India’s rich civilizational heritage, Jaju said the world is now recognizing not only the country’s ancient Vedic knowledge systems but also its long-standing traditions of storytelling, visual arts and narrative expression rooted in Natyashastra and other classical forms.
“From yoga to Ayurveda, from Bollywood to Indian cinema, from theater to diversity – these are the tools of India’s soft power that are sending a message across the world,” he told IANS.
He said the ability to tell stories from an Indian perspective is important in shaping global narratives. “As we move forward, it is important that we present our version of our stories to the world,” he said, adding that cultural expression is intrinsically linked to India’s global reach.
Speaking about Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s call for ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ and ‘Swadeshi’, Jaju said the initiative goes beyond economic self-reliance.
He commented, “It is not only a strategic imperative, but also a cultural imperative – to tell our stories to the world in our own voices.”
He stressed that self-reliance includes strengthening India’s media, entertainment and creative industries to present a confident story of a new India – one that is rooted in heritage but visionary.
He said that as India is establishing itself as a major player on the global stage, its soft power instruments will play an equally important role in its economic and strategic progress as well.
–IANS
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