Press Release l Ministry of Information & Broadcasting

• WAVES OTT Crosses 1 Crore Users, Strengthening India's Public Service Digital Media Ecosystem
• WAVES OTT Becomes India's Most Diverse Public Streaming Destination with Free Access to 24,000 Titles and 140 Live Channels

WAVES OTT, Prasar Bharati's digital streaming platform, has crossed the landmark milestone of 1 crore (10 million) registered users, less than two years after its launch in November 2024.

The achievement marks a significant step in the growth of India's public digital media ecosystem and reflects the increasing adoption of indigenous digital platforms offering trusted, inclusive and diverse content to audiences in India and across the world.

Today, WAVES OTT hosts more than 24,000 content titles and over 15,000 hours of content across entertainment, news, education, culture, spirituality and public service genres. The platform offers over 140 live TV channels, over 200 radio services, live event streaming, educational content through PM eVidya channels, digital editions of Yojana, Kurukshetra and Rozgar Samachar, devotional streams from prominent temples, and thousands of hours of archival content from Prasar Bharati.

Available across mobile, web and connected TV devices, WAVES OTT now reaches audiences in more than 130 countries, offering content in multiple Indian languages and providing free access to a wide range of public-interest and entertainment programming.

Commenting on the milestone, Prasar Bharati stated that the achievement demonstrates the growing relevance of digital public service media in the digital age and validates the vision of creating a single destination for television, radio, on-demand content, education, culture and heritage.

The platform has witnessed sustained growth through continuous expansion of content offerings, strategic digital partnerships, wider device availability and enhanced user experience. Recent additions such as devotional live streams, educational content, digital publications, archival collections and live event coverage have further strengthened audience engagement.

With more than 1 crore registered users and over 1.4 crore downloads, WAVES OTT is now focused on its next phase of growth, including expansion of content partnerships, wider distribution across devices and platforms, strengthening of regional and educational content offerings, and achieving the target of 2 crore registered users by March 2027.

The milestone reinforces WAVES OTT's position as India's fastest-growing public service streaming platform and a digital showcase of India's culture, knowledge, heritage and creativity.

#BNHAF Awards sponsors #TKMU Season 1 Webseries

By - Aanya & Rani S.

World's only film festival that has Sanskrit category - #BNHAF Awards and Festival announced the launch of Talennt Ka Maha Utsav Season 1 Webseries at the 79th Cannes Film Festival that concluded on May 23, 2026.

#BNHAF that celebrated it's 25th Edition on multiple platforms at and during the Cannes Film Festival - Village International at Cannes Film Festival - Georgia pavilion, UK Pavilion and Film USA Pavilion, Hotels and Plages - announced that the webseries will premier on multiple OTT's on 26th December '26.

Rekha Vohraa, one of the most sought after astrologers and numerologists from India, said that she feels honored to be part of the webseries as the Creative Director. "I have been grooming models for top beauty pageants for years now, my thrust is on holistic grooming; #TKMU webseries provides me just that."

Dr. Kiran Modi, founder & Managing Trustee, Udayan Care said, "I am sure, this unique opportunity will help very constructively in the skilling and scaling of the Shalinis at Greater Noida chapter of Udayan Care. It is a unique opportunity that every Shalini, I am sure, wll cherish."

Deepak Sharma, Trustee, Udayan Care said "It is a great privilege for the Shalinis under Shalini fellowship program to be part of Talennt Ka Maha Utsav webseries. It is a unique opportunity that many youngsters can only dream of." 

Amit R Agrwal, cult filmmaker, with a full-360-circle of work behind him said, "the idea came, when I found many professionals pursuing a career, had a very artistic side to them that they are unable to explore, because of work-pressures. The program is designed both to release the pressure and to give each and every participant a credible and visibility-oriented platform - be it film, webseries, shots or reels".

The participants that will be introduced on the release of the webseries said that they are all excited to make their debut with Talennt Ka Maha Utsav".

Advertorial l 2nd International Sugar Conference l News Capsule l Praveen Gupta

By - Bhaarat Bol News Team

• The 2nd International Conference on Sugar Industry was a huge success
• Want to know, what is the latest trend and the latest solutions in the global sugar industry
• Watch the news-capsule series featuring who's who of the Sugar Industry

Cinema l Obsession (2025) and the obsession around it's success!

By - Amit kumaR Agarwal

Half knowledge is no knowledge!

This saying is so true in the case of cinema, or for that matter any other business.

A lot of hullabaloo is being made out of the success of Obsession - "1 Million dollar movie made 100 million dollars and stuff".

Really?

While the news about the production-budget is true; the film's success came after it was acquired by a major studio, Focus Features (a division of Universal Pictures, studio behind iconic films like Fast & Furious franchise). 

The film was acquired for a whopping 14 million dollars and pushed into the market with intelligent creative-campaign - the landing cost of the film as per trade experts is pegged between $25Mn to $35Mn.

If we look traditionally, there have been such huge success stories in all the film-industries of the world - common thread being, a major studio has to jump in to back the film!

In Hollywood, we've had Paranormal Activity (2007) - but again, it was backed by none other than, one of the biggest film-makers of all time, Steven Spielberg.

While the film has already pipped the much touted Star Wars new film to number 2; the challenge will be, whether the sequels of Obsession, generate the same BO numbers.

India @ Cannes l #BNHAF @ Film USA Pav

By - Aanya

The 25th Edition of #BNHAF Awards and Festival kicked off in style at the 79th Cannes Film Festival, with multiple events across pavilions, hotels and plages.

#BNHAF's Artistic Director, Amit R Agrwal, met with the Palm Beach Film Commissioner, the very effervescent, Michelle Hillery and discussed about setting up a film project and a talent IP at the beautiful and scenic locales of Palm Beach county, Florida, USA.

Agrwal presented Hillery with the poster of the 25th Edition of #BNHAF Awards and Festival, and #TKMU Season 2, that was showcased. Agrwal, also announced 90% fee-waiver to all film-makers from the beautiful county of Palm Beach at the upcoming Gala Edition of #BNHAF Awards and Festival 

Agrwal also gifted the sponsor gift from the Indian Jewelry brand, Gem Mines to Michelle Hillery. Michelle was all appreciative about the beautiful design of the jewelry.

Amit Gupta, Founder, Gem Mines said, "We are the best in our category of jewelry worldwide, and it is a pleasure to gift few of our iconic jewelry items to the very best at the Cannes Film Festival".

Rekha Vohraa, Head of Jury (India), #BNHAF Awards and Festival, said, "year after year I am very happy to nurture and appreciate, new talent, the future of the world - through the two verticals #BNHAF and Talennt Ka Maha Utsav". 

Agrwal hoped that very soon, he and his circle of film-makers will be visiting Palm Beach to explore filming opportunities and creating win-win creative-synergies.

Advertorial l 2nd International Sugar Conference l News Capsule l Vijay S. Banka

By - Bhaarat Bol News Team

• The 2nd International Conference on Sugar Industry was a huge success
• Want to know, what is the latest trend and the latest solutions in the global sugar industry
• Watch the news-capsule series featuring who's who of the Sugar Industry

#BNHAF Awards & Festival 25th Edition Makes Waves at Cannes

By - Aanya

#BNHAF Awards and Festival, world's only film-festival that has a dedicated Sanskrit category of submissions, launched it's 25th Edition at Cannes Film Festival.

This 2-months long edition, is currently underway in India, France, Italy, Switzerland, Australia and the USA.

Amit R Agrwal, Artistic Director, was also interviewed right in front of the Red Carpet by a French news-channel covering Cannes Film Festival.

Agrwal talked about the ways #BNHAF has metamorphosed from a small festival in 2021 to one of the most important and effective film festivals in the Indian sub-continent and beyond.

Listen to his interview right in front of the coveted Cannes Film Festival Red Carpet.

India @ Cannes l Marianne Borgo walks Cannes Red Carpet

By - Amit kumaR Agarwal

The legendary French Actress, now based in India, Marianne Borgo, has been making waves on the Cannes Red Carpet year after year. 2006 edition of Cannes was no different.

At 79, Marianne, walked the Red Carpet with filmmakers and actors for company.

She said. "of course, when you have the icket you can walk the red-carpet; but ask the people around, how tough it is, to get the coveted ticket!"

Marianne, after Cannes will be back in India, "but I promise to return to the Red Carpet at the 80th edition of Cannes Film Festival", Marianne smiles as she signs off.

Advertorial l 2nd International Sugar Conference l News Capsule l Deepak Guptara

By - Bhaarat Bol News Team

• The 2nd International Conference on Sugar Industry was a huge success
• Want to know, what is the latest trend and the latest solutions in the global sugar industry
• Watch the news-capsule series featuring who's who of the Sugar Industry

News Shorts l Ring Gantry-based Linear Accelerator

By - Amit kumaR Agarwal

A Ring Gantry-based Linear Accelerator was commissioned into the Department of Radiation Oncology at Army Hospital (Research & Referral), in the presence of Defence Secretary, Rajesh Kumar Singh, in Delhi on May 25, 2026.

This commission is seen as a major fillip to the facilities available at the Army Hospital. This will also add to the healthcare infrastructure available at the facility. 

News Shorts l ICMR Medical Innovations Patent Mitra

By - Amit kumaR Agarwal

The Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Ayush and Health and Family Welfare, Prataprao Jadhav attends the “ICMR Medical Innovations Patent Mitra: Innovators-to-Industry Connect (I2I Connect) – 2026” conclave organized by the Indian Council of Medical Research under the Department of Health Research, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare at Manekshaw Centre, in New Delhi on May 25, 2026.

The conclave is designed to foster medical innovations in various sectors involved with medicine and healthcare and give a definitive boost to the healthcare sector.

Press Release l Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship

• Union Minister Shri Jayant Chaudhary Sends Off India Contingent for 2026 Taipei Capital Cup WorldSkills Invitational Tournament

Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, and Minister of State for Education, Government of India, Shri Jayant Chaudhary sent off the Indian contingent participating in the international vocational and technical skills competition, 2026 Taipei Capital Cup WorldSkills Invitational Tournament, being held in Taipei, Taiwan, from 26–28 May 2026.

The five-member Indian contingent, the future global champions, will compete with participants from around 15 countries in the tournament organised as a warm-up event ahead of WorldSkills Shanghai 2026. The competition promotes global skills development, technical excellence, international collaboration, and workforce innovation while helping participants gain real-world competitive experience at an international level.

The occasion was attended by Smt. Debashree Mukherjee, Secretary, Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE), and Shri Arunkumar Pillai, Chief Executive Officer, National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC), along with senior officials from the Ministry and NSDC.

Addressing the participants, Shri Jayant Chaudhary encouraged the competitors to represent India with confidence, discipline, and excellence, while making the most of the opportunity to learn from global best practices and international competition standards. He highlighted the importance of skill competitions and said that such competitions not only sharpen technical capabilities but also strengthen India’s skilling ecosystem and prepare the country’s youth for emerging global opportunities.

Minister of State (I/C) for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship and Minister of State for Education, Government of India, Shri Jayant Chaudhary said, “Was happy interact with Team India ahead of the 2026 Taipei Capital Cup WorldSkills Competition. These global platforms are not only about medals, but about experiences that build confidence, broaden perspectives and create lifelong memories. Encouraged our young competitors to make the most of this opportunity, to learn, build friendships, forge partnerships and return with greater hope and wider horizons. Wishing Team India, the very best as they represent the spirit, talent and aspirations of a skilled New India on the global stage.”

India will compete in five skill categories at the 2026 Taipei Capital Cup WorldSkills Competition, with Arjun Sumathi Vijayabashkar representing the country in Mobile Applications Development, Mohamed Mafaz Poonaikannan Rabi Ahamed in Software Applications Development, Muskan in Painting & Decorating, Md Seraj in Automobile Technology, and Suresh Kumar Ganesan Meena in Digital Construction. The contingent comprises gold medal winners from the IndiaSkills National Competition 2025–26, along with candidates selected through the wildcard entry process.

This year’s edition of the competition features 10 skill categories spanning critical sectors linked to smart manufacturing and digital transformation, including Industrial Mechanics, IT Network Systems Administration, Mobile Applications Development, Industry 4.0, Automobile Technology, and Digital Construction (BIM).

India’s participation in the tournament marks an important step in the country’s preparation journey towards the 48th WorldSkills Shanghai 2026. The competition will provide Team India with early exposure to international standards and act as a crucial warm-up platform ahead of the global competition, enabling competitors to sharpen their technical skills and adapt to international standards of excellence.