Sri Vijaya Puram, Aug. 19: The unique stories, culture and heritage of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands are set to reach a wider national audience as the Awareness-cum-Orientation Workshops on the ‘Gems of India Challenge 2026’ continue across the Islands. The initiative, being taken up by the A&N Administration, aims to inspire students, youth and emerging digital creators to showcase the rich identity and untold stories of the Islands through engaging digital content.
As part of the initiative, a virtual awareness workshop was organised today at GSSS Oralkatcha, CRC Swadeshnagar, GSS Schools at Rangat, Sabari, Long Island and Malacca, besides the offices of the In-Charge, Swaraj Dweep and the Deputy Commissioner, Nicobars. Resource persons from the Tourism Department, through video conference, explained the objectives and opportunities under the Challenge and encouraged students to become storytellers of their own Islands.
“Document our heritage. Tell our story. Become a Gem of the Islands.” This message resonated during the workshops, where students were encouraged to capture the distinctive culture, traditions, natural beauty, tourism attractions and achievements of their communities through creative digital formats.
The Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, Government of India, has launched the Pilot Phase of the ‘Gems of India’ Challenge, a national initiative aimed at identifying, nurturing and promoting grassroots digital creators as part of efforts to strengthen India’s creative sector. The Andaman and Nicobar Islands is among the six States/UTs selected for the Pilot Phase, along with Arunachal Pradesh, Chandigarh, Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu, Goa and Ladakh.
For the Islands, the Challenge provides a unique platform for creators from South Andaman, North & Middle Andaman and Nicobar districts to present the diverse identity of the “Emerald Isles” to the country. Creators can explore themes such as tribal culture, eco-tourism, local cuisine, traditional crafts, heritage, traditions, history and remarkable community achievements.
Create. Showcase. Win.
Under the Challenge, participants can create original videos, reels, podcasts, documentaries or other creative formats of 1 to 3 minutes, highlighting the distinctive features and stories of their respective districts.
How to participate: Download the WAVES OTT app, register using a mobile number and visit the MyWAVES section to create a Creator Profile.
Submission Window: Entries can be submitted from August 1 to 31, 2026.
Rewards Await the Best Island Stories
The Challenge offers attractive recognition at district and State/UT levels, while selected entries will subsequently compete at the national level.
• District Level: Up to 20 awards of Rs.50,000 each per district.
• State/UT Level: One exceptional creator from each district will receive a Rs.2 lakh State/UT-level Award.
• National Level: During the subsequent national rollout, selected entries will compete for National Awards of Rs.5 lakh each.
The A&N Administration has called upon the youth, students and creative minds across all three districts to seize this opportunity and transform the Islands’ heritage, traditions and achievements into powerful digital stories.
With more Awareness-cum-Orientation Workshops scheduled in other parts of the Islands tomorrow (Aug. 20), the campaign is set to reach more aspiring creators and inspire them to showcase the “Gems” of the Emerald Isles to the nation.
For more information and participation, creators may visit the MyWAVES section on the WAVES OTT platform.