Ministry of External Affairs partners YouTube for second edition of ‘India Is’

The Public Diplomacy Division of the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) of India and YouTube have announced the second edition of ‘India Is’, a global short film contest to showcase India and its diversity. ‘India is… a visual Journey’ will be open for entries until 9 February, 2013.

Speaking at the launch, Nikesh Arora, SVP and chief business officer, Google Inc, said, “We’re really happy to partner with India’s Ministry of External Affairs to launch this exciting initiative to showcase and celebrate India’s diversity on a global stage. YouTube is a powerful tool to express and share different opinions that can bring about a positive change in the society and as an organization we’re committed to supporting all such initiatives."

Riva Ganguly Das, joint secretary and head of Public Diplomacy Division of MEA, said, “This really is the first web-based campaign initiated by the Public Diplomacy Division of the MEA to connect and interact with people from all over the world and make them think about India. Through this initiative we aim to create a visual road map of India for Indians and foreigners alike with global players like Google, Incredible India and Conde Nast Traveller as partner."

She added that in year one of the ‘India Is’ competition, 2011, it received over 250 video entries on India from 42 countries.

At the press gathering to announce the initiative, Google executives Adam Smith, director - product management; Rajan Anandan, managing director and vice president – sales and operations, Google India; and Gautam Anand, director – content partnerships, Asia-Pacific spoke  about YouTube’s evolution as a global platform.

To promote the contest, YouTube has partnered film director and script writer Anurag Kashyap and his directors to produce five short showcase films under the three themes of the contest: ‘India is incredible', ‘India is unforgettable’, and 'India is wherever you are.’ These five films will be produced in association with Viacom 18 Motion Pictures and Anurag Kashyap Films. The showcase films will be used to inspire filmmakers, students, and video enthusiasts to create their own five-minute films on any of the three themes.