Economic Policy Group (EPG) organised India Week 2024 (29 June – 6 July), a weeklong programme of events that encompassed crucial discussions on topics such as politics, trade, business, sustainability, inclusion, and innovation. The events took place across three cities in the UK, with more than 100 business and political leaders from India travelling for the events. The program included industrialists, tech innovators, and politicians from at least five states in India. The flagship Ideas for India conference in London was arranged in partnership with the think tank Bridge India, focusing on business and policy.
India Week 2024 was a hub for high-level discussions on New India. India's economic growth rate was the highest among major economies, while China struggled with a bloated infrastructure sector, local government debts, a zero-Covid policy, and an ageing population. Concurrently, wars in Europe and the Middle East strained global relationships, and the US focused on its Presidential election. As the Western world diversified its supply chains and geopolitical dependencies away from China, India stood to benefit.
The event featured a range of distinguished speakers, including English cricketer Azeem Rafiq, Deputy Mayor of London for Business and Growth Howard Dawber, Global Beauty Communications Specialist Jazz Kaur Sohal, Pratik Dattani the Managing Director of EPG Economic and Strategy Consulting and more.
On 3 July, as part of India Week 2024, the Education Innovation Conference convened educators from across India at the University of Oxford, renowned globally as a leader in academia. The event, organised in collaboration with partners WBR, the UK India Business Council, and the Oxford Centre for Hindu Studies, focused on shaping the future of education.
An awards dinner was held on 4 July in the House of Commons to honour the most innovative and export-oriented private sector companies from India. The event included several high-level meetings with UK government officials aimed at advancing the bilateral economic relationship.
During India Week 2024 on 5 July, the Ideas for India conference focused on fostering dialogue, engagement, and collaboration across business, government, civil society, and the Indian diaspora. The event aimed to blur the lines between these sectors to drive meaningful convergence and innovation.
The UK has long been a hub for Indian film and entertainment opportunities. This year's India Week featured a special exhibition dedicated to Bollywood legends Dev Anand and his filmmaker brother Vijay Anand. Curated by Aman Dhillon of ReelN Ltd., "The Anand Brothers: A Journey Through" took place on July 5th and 6th. Dev Anand, celebrated for his charismatic screen presence and spanning a career of over six decades with more than 110 films, is remembered for classics like "Guide" and "Jewel Thief." His brother Vijay Anand, known for directing acclaimed films such as "Teesri Manzil" and "Johny Mera Naam," also left a lasting impact on Indian cinema.
Adding to the excitement, future star Vaibhav Anand, nephew of Dev Anand and son of Vijay Anand, was present at the exhibition. The exhibition offered fans a unique glimpse into the lives and careers of these iconic figures through photographs, personal artifacts, and exclusive film footage. Vaibhav Anand's presence provided a personal connection to the legendary actors and offered insights into their enduring impact on cinema.
The event also included the inaugural Film Conclave on 6 July, bringing together filmmakers from the UK and India to discuss co-production opportunities.
The Film Conclave featured several key sessions addressing critical aspects of the industry. The first session, "Bridging the Gap Between UK and Indian Cinema," brought filmmakers, producers, and industry professionals together to explore opportunities in movie co-production, cross-border collaborations, and the evolving cinematic landscape. Discussions encompassed about funding, incentives, film exhibition, age ratings, licensing, and the delicate balance between artistic expression and self-imposed censorship. Notable speakers included Lee Stone, Pranab Kapadia, and Leslie-Anne Macfarlane.
The second session, "The Intersection of Law and Celebrity: Balancing Privacy and Public Interest," led by celebrity lawyer Sana Raees Khan, delved into safeguarding the privacy of stars while respecting the public’s right to information. Experts Kavino Nagulendren, Naila Mughal, and Vaibhav Anand provided insights into navigating these complex legal and ethical issues.
In collaboration with Mugafi, the third session will focus on "Technological advancements and the future of film." This session will examine the impact of technological innovations such as OTT platforms, VFX, VR, and AI on the film industry. Experts Thomas Drakovitch and Cary Rajinder Sawhney offered perspectives on how these advancements are reshaping storytelling and production methods.
The event brought together film production companies, distributors, content creators, and agencies to explore lucrative opportunities in the industry across both countries. A highlight of this year's event was the prestigious Rising Star of the Award presented to actor Taha Shah Badussha during the Film Conclave evening dinner, honouring his excellence and perseverance in the Indian film industry.
