Why India needs to get Eurovisionary

In these unstable times, when songs like 'We are the world' sound off-key, India is smartly making an effort to reach out to countries and blocs, not just through FTAs and other acrimony-free acronyms but also by offering to be part of more potlucks like Quad, BIMSTEC, BRICS, YWCA.... That's all very fine.

But with the Eurovision Song Contest 2025 starting on Tuesday with its grand final next Sunday, may we strongly suggest that India join the annual competition from next year onwards. We know, we know-India is not part of Europe (or, vice versa yet), so how can India participate in this European music competition? MEA bhai-behen, we have precedence: Australia.

But first why should India be in Eurovision? Well, have you seen the spectacle of glitter, national pride and pop musical ardour that's Eurovision's hallmark? It's pure Bollywood dhamaka, Sanjay Leela Bhansali-level OTT in the land of quiet Ikea and subtle coughing.

Any Indian entry is bound to win.

Australia entered 'Europe' because its TV network SBS is a European Broadcasting Union (EBU). All India has to do is to have a channel as EBU member. And voila! India's soft power will be on hard display on TV screens across India.

In one stroke, electro-bhangra or Kerala rap will win over the world via Europe. And let's be honest, Europe could do with the masala to counter OTTrump.