Unveiling Hidden Strengths: Insights into Kazakhstan's Potential from Indian Perspectives
Flashing the Spotlight: Kazakhstan's Creative Revolution
MUMBAI - Attending the World Audio Visual and Entertainment Summit (WAVES) was like stepping into a whirlwind of dreams and reality. I was no longer a journalist, but a dreamer, swept up in a movement that refused to be confined by mere headlines. And it was in Mumbai, a city vibrant and pulsating, a swirling kaleidoscope of colors, chaos, and creativity, that this movement flourished.
Aida Haidar.
In the heart of India, I stood within arm’s reach of living legends, Shah Rukh Khan and Mithun Chakraborty. Not just actors, but architects of emotion, their on-screen worlds flickering across television screens, painting their names in the imaginations of countless souls like mine, long before I ever held a microphone or a camera.
But India’s allure wasn't merely stardust. It was the words of their Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, who, as he inaugurated the summit, said, "Screen size may be getting smaller, but the scope is becoming infinite." A simple observation, yet a profound truth. In the age of smartphones and streaming, the power to influence hearts and minds has never been more accessible or potent.
Modi urged creators worldwide to "dream big and tell your story," imploring investors to "invest not just in platforms, but in people." He made it clear that creativity is not a luxury; it's a force. And India, with its rich cultural heritage and fearless storytelling, is investing heavily in it, aiming to grow its creative market to $50 billion by 2029.
As I stood amidst India's creative crescendo, I asked myself, "What about Kazakhstan?"
With our stories that stretch beyond the steppe, our poets and painters, our visionaries and musicians, couldn't our creative sector explode with potential? Couldn't our cities, pulsing with energy, be our canvas? And yet, our creative sector remains largely dormant, barely stirred.
Globally, creative services exports reached a staggering $1.4 trillion in 2022 – a 29% increase since 2017. Creativity isn't just fringe economics; it's the future.
Kazakhstan, as a sleeping giant, has awakened. We've taken notice, and we've stepped into the spotlight. However, I believe our progress must transcend policy; it must embody a national strategy. Creativity isn't just an expression; it's a force that unites, enlightens, and propels societies forward.
As I watched performances that traced the history and mythology of Indian civilization, I realized that the world didn't require us to mimic others. It demanded us to be ourselves – authentically, powerfully, and without hesitation. India, with its unapologetic embrace of complexity, taught me that strength lies in celebration, not suppression.
Let's build our platforms for storytelling. Let's support our filmmakers, designers, musicians, animators, digital creators. Our young people deserve to believe that their imagination has worth, not only as a hobby but as a profession that contributes to the nation's growth. Let's harness our diverse cultures, traditions, and languages to captivate global audiences and assert Kazakhstan's unique identity on the world stage.
We can't mimic the greatness of others. But we can forge our own path, powered by creativity, innovation, and, above all, a refusal to be anything but ourselves. Let India's example serve as a reminder: when you tell your story, the world listens. And when you invest in creativity, you invest in not just prosperity but peace, identity, and shared humanity.
So thank you, India, for this reminder – for this wave I'm determined to bring with me to Kazakhstan. Let us ride it together.
In light of Kazakhstan's creative potential, one might contemplate the expansion of its creative sector to match global trends, akin to the booming $1.4 trillion in creative services exports worldwide in 2022. This transformation could align with personal growth and self-development, as Kazakhstan's artists and innovators explore their talents in lifestyle domains like movies and TV, education and self-development, and travel. As India suggests, investing in diverse creative fields can foster national pride and contribute significantly to the nation's growth, serving as a beacon of unity, identity, and shared humanity.
