Union Ministers Ashwini Vaishnaw, C.R. Patil, Chirag Paswan, K. Ram Mohan Naidu, and Jayant Chaudhary, along with three Chief Ministers—Devendra Fadnavis, Chandrababu Naidu, and Revant Reddy—are set to participate in the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2025 in Davos, a renowned ski resort in Switzerland, next month. The event will run from January 20, 2025, and will attract hundreds of global government and business leaders.

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Naidu will be accompanied by his son and senior minister Nara Lokesh. Other notable attendees from India include Karnataka’s Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, Tamil Nadu Minister TRB Rajaa, and Uttar Pradesh Minister Suresh Khanna. Among the attendees is also actor Bhumi Pednekar, famous for her performances in films such as “Dum Laga Ke Haisha,” “Toilet: Ek Prem Katha,” and “Saand Ki Aankh.”

The meeting is expected to draw over 50 heads of state and government, alongside officials from major international organizations, including the United Nations, IMF, World Bank, Interpol, NATO, European Central Bank, and WTO. Senior ministers from Pakistan and Bangladesh will also be present, including Bangladesh’s Chief Adviser and interim government head, Muhammad Yunus.

Vaishnaw, who serves as the Minister for Railways, Information & Broadcasting, and Electronics & IT, participated in last year’s meeting alongside fellow ministers Smriti Irani and Hardeep Singh Puri. This year, he will be joined by Minister of Jal Shakti Patil, Minister of Food Processing Industries Paswan, Minister of Civil Aviation Naidu, and Minister of State for Skill Development and Education Chaudhary.

Although Prime Minister Narendra Modi has attended the meeting in the past, his participation this year has not yet been confirmed. The overarching theme for the summit will be “collaboration for the intelligent age.”

This edition of the annual meeting will take place amid notable global transitions, including a change in U.S. leadership and ongoing geopolitical challenges, such as the conflicts in Ukraine and West Asia. Both Modi and Donald Trump attended the Forum for the first time as India’s and the U.S.’s leaders, respectively, in 2018. Modi, serving his third consecutive term since earlier this year, and Trump, preparing for his second term, are expected to be key discussion points at Davos.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Fadnavis and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Naidu are seasoned attendees of the event, while Telangana Chief Minister Reddy participated in the 2024 meeting as well.

In addition to government representatives and civil society members, India’s presence will include executives from major business conglomerates like Reliance, Tata, Adani, Birla, Bharti, Mahindra, Godrej, Jindal, Bajaj, and Vedanta.

Notable figures like Mukesh Ambani and Gautam Adani will be there, along with next-generation leaders from their groups. Technology leaders like Salil Parekh from Infosys, Rishad Premji from Wipro, Sumant Sinha from ReNew, Vijay Shekhar Sharma from Paytm, and Adar Poonawalla from the Serum Institute are also expected to attend.

The Geneva-based WEF describes itself as an international organization for public-private cooperation and will convene its 55th annual meeting under the theme “Collaboration for the Intelligent Age.” This gathering aims to be a trusted global forum for dialogue, bringing together diverse stakeholders to navigate complex global challenges with a future-focused approach.

Several sessions will feature Indian leaders, including discussions on “India’s Economic Blueprint.” As one of the fastest-growing major economies, India has been achieving over 8% growth, spurred by initiatives promoting local innovation and startups in technology and manufacturing, moving away from traditional export-driven models. Leaders will explore how India can leverage this new strategy to sustain global growth.

The annual meeting will occur during a time of geo-economic fragmentation, geopolitical polarisation, and value-based divisions affecting societies globally. Concurrently, there is immense potential for productivity enhancement through exponential advancements in interconnected technologies—ranging from AI and quantum computing to energy tech, biotech, and health tech.

Reviving and reshaping growth is essential for developing more robust and resilient economies, and the meeting will address strategies for transcending fragmentation in favor of a collaborative, people-centered agenda for the Intelligent Age. Participants will also discuss how to foster collaborative innovation to navigate today’s low-growth, high-debt economic landscape and tackle shared challenges, including climate change and ethical AI use.

The Kannada film Bagheera, directed by D.R. Suri, has taken the OTT world by storm, continuing its dominance by securing the #1 spot on Disney+ Hotstar. The action-packed thriller, featuring mind-blowing visual effects (VFX) and a gripping storyline, is captivating audiences not only in theatres but also across streaming platforms. Produced by Hombale Films, which has been on a successful OTT streak, Bagheera is the latest feather in its cap, following the success of Salaar: Part 1 – Ceasefire, which trended for over 300 days.

The film’s success is a testament to its high-octane, electrifying background music (BGM) and stellar performances, immersing viewers in a world brimming with action and emotion. Sri Murali, in the titular role, has won hearts with his powerful performance, showcasing his impressive versatility as an actor. His character’s emotional depth, coupled with thrilling plot twists, has helped Bagheera stand out in a sea of action films.

Rukmini Vasanth, known for her compelling screen presence, complements Sri Murali’s character, adding layers to the story. Prakash Raj, a veteran actor in Indian cinema, adds gravitas to the narrative, while Rangayana Raghu’s presence brings humor and charm to the film, balancing the intensity of the plot.

Since its release on Disney+ Hotstar, Bagheera has enjoyed an overwhelming response from audiences, maintaining its blockbuster momentum. The film continues to trend at #1 on the streaming platform, reflecting its massive popularity. It has garnered praise for its captivating direction, extraordinary technical aspects, and powerful performances, making it one of the top films in its category.

In terms of box office performance, Bagheera has grossed an impressive Rs 19.95 crores within the first 14 days of its release, further solidifying its place in Kannada cinema’s success stories.

Hombale Films, which has enjoyed massive success with Bagheera, continues to build its legacy with an exciting slate of upcoming films. The production house is set to release titles like Kantara: Chapter 1, Salaar: Part 2 – Shouryaanga Parvam, and more, keeping the momentum going in both theatres and OTT platforms.

As Bagheera continues to break records, it’s clear that this cinematic spectacle is not just a hit; it’s a phenomenon that has left audiences eagerly anticipating more from Hombale Films.

US President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden have expressed their heartfelt tributes to former Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh, offering their condolences to the people of India. President Biden referred to Singh as “a true statesman, dedicated public servant, and a humble person,” emphasising that the remarkable level of cooperation between the United States and India was a result of Singh’s strategic vision and political courage.

In a statement released by the White House, the Bidens stated, “Jill and I stand with the people of India in mourning the passing of former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. During this challenging time, we reaffirm our commitment to the vision to which Prime Minister Singh devoted his life. We convey our deepest sympathies to former First Lady Gursharan Kaur, their three children, and all the people of India.”

Former Prime Minister Singh, who made history as India’s first Sikh prime minister, passed away in New Delhi on December 26 at the age of 92.

Biden remarked, “The unprecedented cooperation we see today between the United States and India would not have been achievable without the Prime Minister’s strategic foresight and political bravery.”

He added that Singh played a crucial role in key initiatives, such as the US-India Civil Nuclear Agreement and the establishment of the Quad among Indo-Pacific partners, paving the way for significant advancements that will benefit both nations and the broader world for generations.

Recalling his experiences with Singh, Biden noted that he met the former Prime Minister when he served as Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee in 2008 and again during his visit to the United States as Vice President in 2009.

He also mentioned being graciously hosted by Singh in New Delhi in 2013. “As we discussed then, the relationship between the US and India is one of the most consequential in the world. Together, as partners and friends, we have the potential to build a future rich in dignity and opportunities for all our citizens,” Biden said.

He concluded by reiterating, “During this time of sorrow, we reaffirm our commitment to the vision Prime Minister Singh championed throughout his life. Jill and I send our heartfelt condolences to former First Lady Gursharan Kaur, their three children, and to the entire nation of India.”