Sri Vijaya Puram, Aug. 25: The Gems of India Challenge, a nationwide digital storytelling initiative aimed at discovering and encouraging grassroots creators, received an enthusiastic response from students during a special workshop organised at Andaman Law College, Sri Vijaya Puram, as the campaign enters its extended phase.
The workshop witnessed participation from a large number of students, reflecting growing interest among young people in documenting and showcasing the rich cultural heritage, traditions, tourism potential, achievements and unique stories of their districts through digital media.
The programme was attended by the Principal of Andaman Law College Prof. (Dr.) P.V. Nagendra Sarma, Ms. Neerja Gupta, ADP and Nodal Officer for the Gems of India Challenge, representatives of WAVES OTT, officials and staff of the Department of IP&T.
Addressing the students, Ms. Neerja Gupta, ADP & Nodal Officer for the campaign, appealed to them to actively participate in the Gems of India Challenge. She encouraged students to explore the distinctive stories, traditions, heritage and achievements of the Andaman & Nicobar Islands and present them creatively through short digital videos. As part of the programme, a souvenir commemorating the Gems of India Challenge was also launched by the dignitaries before the gathering.
The Gems of India Challenge is being implemented through the MyWAVES citizen creator platform under the WAVES OTT ecosystem, inviting creators to produce engaging 1-3-minute videos highlighting the identity and stories of India’s districts. The initiative seeks to strengthen India’s grassroots creator ecosystem and encourage youth to become storytellers of their own communities. Andaman & Nicobar Islands is among the regions covered under the pilot phase of the initiative. The campaign provides an opportunity for local creators to take stories from the islands to a wider audience while celebrating their cultural diversity, heritage and achievements. Continuing its efforts to promote the campaign among local audiences, Doordarshan Sri Vijaya Puram has also launched a new programme titled “Bas Ek Minute.” The programme is designed to provide an additional platform for short-format storytelling and to sustain awareness and participation in the Gems of India Challenge.
Welcoming the gathering, the Principal of Andaman Law College highlighted the importance of providing young people with platforms to express their creativity and tell stories rooted in their communities.
The initiative by WAVES OTT and its partners aims to inspire more young creators from the islands to participate and showcase the “Gems” of Andaman & Nicobar to audiences across India. WAVES OTT appeals to students, young creators and residents of the Andaman & Nicobar Islands to make the most of the extended campaign opportunity and share their unique local stories with the nation.
