Sri Vijaya Puram, Aug. 20: Awareness-cum-Orientation Workshops on the ‘Gems of India Challenge 2026’ is being held in different parts of the. The workshops are aimed at inspiring 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 GMSSS Sitapur, Diglipur. 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.
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. Entries can be submitted from August 1 to 31, 2026. 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. For more information and participation, creators may visit the MyWAVES section on the WAVES OTT platform.