Rapid Fire
2025 Osaka World Expo
- 03 Jun 2025
- 2 min read
India has made a cultural statement at the 2025 Osaka World Expo, embracing its civilisational ethos and soft power by blending ancient wisdom with modern innovation under the theme of compassion and inclusivity.
- Osaka World Expo 2025: Held in Japan under the theme “Designing Future Society for Our Lives”, the Osaka Expo serves as a “Living Lab” to co-create innovative solutions for global challenges using shared knowledge and cutting-edge technologies, aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
- India's Pavilion: It was curated by the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA) under the Ministry of Culture, positioning itself as a modern “sutradhar” (narrator) of India’s civilisational story.
- Key Elements of the Pavilion: The pavilion’s central motif is the ‘Bodhisattva Padmapani’ from Ajanta Caves, symbolizing compassion and knowledge in Mahayana Buddhism.
- The Lotus Courtyard showcases Bodhisattva forms and frescoes from the 2,000-year-old UNESCO-listed Ajanta Caves.
- The ‘Oneness Lounge’ features a reimagined Bodhi Tree, representing spiritual unity. The ‘Wall of Life’ promotes internal wellness through Yoga and Ayurveda.
- The pavilion reflects India’s use of soft power in foreign policy, combining spiritual, cultural, and scientific achievements to foster global partnerships.
| Read more: Delivering Soft Power |
