After Mumbai, Bangalore and Hyderabad, Pune is now being touted as the next ‘hot’ (quite literally, as of now!) destination for the animation industry. With a strong government backing, proximity to Bollywood AKA Mumbai, lesser traffic congestion and relatively affordable real estate, Pune has a lot to offer to the Animation and Gaming Industry.
Suresh Kalmadi, MP and Chairman of Pune Vyaspeeth announced at a press conference on Saturday, 17th May that the 5th Hi Tech Pune-Maharashtra 2008 conference, a 3-day event which has so far focussed on IT (Information Technology) and BT (Biotechnology) would this year include Animation and Gaming as well.
“Innovation Led Inclusive Growth” is what they are calling the conference but what exactly will be discussed with regards to the animation industry and who will speak is not certain. They have mentioned an Animation & Gaming Committee though, comprised of:
Commodore Anand Khandekar (Director Pune Development Center and Chief Mentor NVIDIA)
Ravi Gupta (Executive Director, Whistling Woods International)
Aashish Kulkarni (CEO, Anirights)
Sunanda Rathi (Director Arena Animation, Pune)
Dr. Ajay Batra (Author: “Breeding Innovation and Intellectual Capital” and “Integrated Innovation, Knowledge Management and Intellectual Capital Framework”)
The website does not offer much information either and the only topic mentioned in the list is one that has already been done to death, – “Opportunities & Challenges of Gaming & Animation Industry.” One wishes that they would find fresh topics to discuss at such prestigious events rather than have the same people rehash the same “issues” over and over again.