The Hindu Business Line : `Information, communication can be growth drivers'

Reinvention
While the foundation of the entertainment industry is based on compelling story-telling the industry itself is reinventing through the use of technology.

Mumbai , March 22

Information, communication and entertainment can be powerful drivers of the economy and the convergence of these industries augurs well for India, Mr Azim Premji, Chairman and Managing Director, Wipro, said.

"I do see a link between information, communication and entertainment and this will be more important going forward," Mr Premji told delegates to the three-day convention on media and entertainment, FICCI-Frames 2006.

India, he said, is being taken on the mainstream by countries such as the US, Europe, Japan, the UK and Canada. "There is a new spirit of confidence here. At one time the IT industry was globally competitive. Today it is difficult to find industries which are not globally competitive," he said.

While the foundation of the entertainment industry is based on compelling story-telling the industry itself is reinventing through the use of technology. Digitisation and technology has helped in reviving the past; in re mastering the old classics. Digitisation also offers choice to the consumer.

The film industry in India is being pulled in two ends — at one end it is moving into the home with DVDs and home entertainment and at the other end towards swank multiplexes, he said.

The Indian entertainment industry needs huge investment in training, he said. The IT industry in India had a unique advantage — a huge pool of engineering graduates. "While India produces a huge number of graduates and several engineering graduates every year, Western countries are faced with a challenge. Nobody wants to go in for engineering or scientific education," he said. Just as the IT industry, the entertainment industry needs to get engaged at the college level, lend faculty and assure jobs for high performers, he said.

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