The event was attended by Prof. Ajay Kumar Sood, Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India, along with Dr. L. Murugan, Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting and Parliamentary Affairs. Senior officials including Shri Sanjay Jaju, Secretary, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, were also present.
Representatives from Netflix and Graphiti Studios, participating innovators, and students from across the country joined the ceremony, highlighting the collaborative nature of the initiative.
Connecting Innovation with Creative Storytelling
Implemented in partnership with Graphiti Studios, ‘Inspiring Innovators’ was designed to bridge India’s innovation and creative ecosystems. The programme focused on using storytelling as a tool to communicate the societal impact of technology-driven solutions.
Eight Indian start-ups identified by the Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser for their contributions to social-impact innovation were featured as part of the initiative. Their work was showcased through eight short animated films created by students from eight universities across India.
Hands-On Skilling for Young Creators
The initiative provided practical creative training to a cohort of 26 students from diverse regions of the country. Women accounted for 50 per cent of the participants, and several students came from Tier-II cities, reinforcing the programme’s inclusive approach.
The students were mentored by experts from the National Institute of Design (NID), Ahmedabad, and Graphiti Studios. Through the programme, they gained real-world exposure to animation, visual storytelling and industry-standard creative processes.
Focus on Socially Relevant Innovation
Addressing the gathering, Prof. Ajay Kumar Sood said the initiative was designed to highlight innovation with social relevance while strengthening skills and knowledge pathways. He emphasised that bringing start-ups and students together through a creative process helps build a holistic innovation ecosystem.
According to Prof. Sood, the programme successfully connected policy intent with talent development, supported by industry mentorship and the Netflix Fund for Creative Equity.
Alignment with Viksit Bharat @2047 Vision
Dr. L. Murugan congratulated all stakeholders involved in the initiative, noting that it effectively showcased the societal benefits of innovation in alignment with the Viksit Bharat @2047 vision. He highlighted the stories of eight innovators from diverse states working in sectors such as fisheries, agriculture and assistive technologies for persons with disabilities.
He said such initiatives help bring innovation closer to the public by demonstrating how technology can address real societal challenges.
Industry Perspective and Cultural Showcase
Mahima Kaul, Director of Global Affairs at Netflix India, said the initiative demonstrated the power of collaboration between government, industry and young creators. She noted that ‘Inspiring Innovators’ showcased ideas shaping India’s innovation ecosystem in an inclusive and meaningful manner.
The culmination ceremony featured the screening of all eight animated films and a special anthem performance by students of the Shankar Mahadevan Academy. Addresses were also delivered by senior representatives from partner organisations.
Films to Reach a Wider Audience
The eight animated films produced under the initiative will be available for public viewing on Netflix India’s official YouTube channel, expanding their reach beyond the event.
The initiative stands as an example of how creative skilling and innovation policy can work together to inspire the next generation of problem-solvers.