Start-Up Accelerator WaveX Launches "Kalaa Setu" to Empower India's Multilingual AI Content Revolution

New Delhi, July 8, 2025 - As India marches toward a digitally inclusive future, effective communication with citizens in their native languages has become a critical priority. Recognizing this need, the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, through its WaveX Startup Accelerator, has unveiled "Kalaa Setu - Real-Time Language Tech for Bharat", a nation-wide challenge inviting AI startups to build groundbreaking solutions for multilingual multimedia content generation.

Bridging India's Digital Language Divide

The Kalaa Setu initiative is designed to empower governance bodies to instantly transform official information into regionally resonant formats. From video explainers and infographic visuals to expressive audio messages, the challenge calls on startups to create scalable, AI-powered tools that deliver timely and relatable communication to every corner of India.

Imagine a farmer in a remote village receiving a weather advisory in his local dialect via an audio bulletin, or a student accessing exam updates through an engaging regional-language infographic - these are the real-life applications envisioned by Kalaa Setu. The initiative underscores the government's focus on leveraging AI to bridge the digital language divide and ensure that no citizen is left behind in the information age.

Three Pillars of AI-Driven Content Creation

Kalaa Setu challenges startups to develop solutions across three main areas:

1. Text-to-Video Generation: Create customizable videos from text, adaptable to various tones, themes, and contexts.

2. Text-to-Graphics Generation: Produce visually compelling infographics and illustrations that simplify complex information.

3. Text-to-Audio Generation: Generate high-quality, emotionally expressive audio content in diverse regional accents, enhancing relatability and impact.

Empowering Citizen-Centric Communication

With India's vast linguistic diversity, there is an urgent need for real-time, multilingual content that can reach citizens effectively. Kalaa Setu aims to enable government departments, broadcasters, and public communication agencies to instantly convert text updates into videos, graphics, or audio messages - all in local languages and dialects.

Whether it's educating farmers about new agricultural schemes, informing senior citizens about healthcare benefits, or guiding students through exam preparations, Kalaa Setu is set to redefine how public information is shared.

How to Apply

Startups interested in participating can register via the WaveX portal under the "Kalaa Setu" challenge category. Applicants must submit a working Minimum Viable Concept (MVC) along with a video demonstration by July 30, 2025.

Shortlisted teams will present their solutions before a national jury in New Delhi. Winners will receive an MoU for full-scale development, pilot support with All India Radio (AIR), Doordarshan (DD), and Press Information Bureau (PIB), along with incubation under the WaveX Innovation Platform.

Bhasha Setu: Complementing Kalaa Setu

In addition to Kalaa Setu, WaveX had earlier launched "Bhasha Setu" on June 30, 2025, focusing on real-time language translation solutions. Startups can still apply for Bhasha Setu until July 22, 2025, also through the WaveX portal.

A Vision for Future-Ready Governance

Kalaa Setu and Bhasha Setu mark a transformative step in India's journey towards AI-driven, inclusive governance. By fostering indigenous innovations in multilingual content generation and real-time translation, these initiatives aim to ensure that critical information reaches every citizen, regardless of language barriers.

About WaveX

WaveX, launched under the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting's WAVES initiative, is a dedicated startup accelerator focused on media, entertainment, and language technologies. At the WAVES Summit held in Mumbai earlier this year, WaveX showcased over 30 promising startups and provided a robust platform for collaboration with government agencies, investors, and industry leaders.

With initiatives like Kalaa Setu, WaveX continues to strengthen India's startup ecosystem, encouraging technology that reflects the country's linguistic and cultural richness while empowering citizens through accessible and impactful communication.