Thursday 29 / October / 2026
A 10-day media familiarisation visit to India from September 9 to 18 offered journalists from 19 countries a glimpse into how the country combines its historical heritage with rapid economic, technological and urban development.
Organised by India’s Ministry of External Affairs, the programme brought together media professionals from Africa, Asia, Europe, the Middle East and Latin America, with visits to Agra and Mumbai highlighting different dimensions of the country’s transformation.
Heritage and National Identity
The Taj Mahal provided a starting point for reflecting on India’s cultural inheritance. Commissioned by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his wife, Mumtaz Mahal, the monument remains a powerful symbol of love, sacrifice and architectural achievement.
For South African journalist Fawzia Moodley, the monument also prompted reflection on service, leadership and the legacy societies leave for future generations.
Nearby, Agra Fort offered further insight into India’s architectural and historical depth, demonstrating how heritage preservation contributes to cultural identity and international recognition.
Mumbai’s Urban Resilience
In Mumbai, attention shifted towards the challenges of managing a rapidly growing coastal metropolis.
Nigerian journalist Fred Idehai observed similarities between Mumbai and Lagos, particularly their waterfronts, bridges, dense skylines and commercial activity.
During discussions with Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation officials, journalists learned about the city’s exposure to cyclones, flooding, earthquakes and landslides. Officials highlighted disaster-resilient construction, emergency-response personnel, beach lifeguards and coordination with the Indian Navy and Coast Guard.
The experience illustrated how urban resilience depends not only on infrastructure but also on preparedness, institutional coordination and effective emergency response.
Financial and Digital Transformation
At the Bombay Stock Exchange, managing director and CEO Sundararaman Ramamurthy traced the institution’s evolution from informal trading beneath a banyan tree to a modern, technology-driven exchange.
He said India had more than 260 million unique investor accounts, highlighting the growing reach of its securities market. He also emphasised the importance of transparency, regulation and investor confidence in mobilising household savings for productive investment.
At the National Payments Corporation of India, journalists examined the Unified Payments Interface (UPI), which enables interoperable digital transactions across participating banks and applications.
NPCI statistics recorded more than 24.5 billion UPI transactions in August 2026, demonstrating the scale of India's digital payments infrastructure.
The system illustrates how technology, financial institutions and connectivity can work together to simplify everyday transactions and broaden access to digital services.
Bollywood and Creative Exchange
The visit to Film City introduced journalists to another dimension of India’s international influence: its creative industries.
For one journalist who grew up watching Bollywood films, the experience connected childhood memories with the production environment behind India's globally recognised cinema.
The visit also highlighted opportunities for closer collaboration between Bollywood and Nigeria’s Nollywood, including joint productions, technical training, distribution and cultural festivals.
Nigeria’s Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa, has described the two industries as bridges for storytelling and understanding.
Connecting Past and Future
Across Agra and Mumbai, the programme presented a country balancing historical preservation with modernisation.
Its monuments reflect centuries of cultural inheritance, while its financial markets, digital payment systems, urban infrastructure and creative industries demonstrate changing economic capabilities.
For participating journalists, the central lesson was that development does not necessarily require abandoning tradition. India’s experience illustrates how heritage and modern institutions can coexist, reinforcing national identity while supporting economic growth and international engagement.
