Sri Vijaya Puram, Aug. 27: As part of the Gems of India Challenge 2026 campaign, the Information, Publicity & Tourism (IP&T) Department, Andaman and Nicobar Administration, organised a series of interactive sessions with students from various colleges across South Andaman to encourage youth participation in promoting the islands’ rich tourism potential and cultural heritage.
A seminar was held at Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Institute of Technology (DBRAIT), where more than 500 students participated enthusiastically. Addressing the gathering, Secretary (IP&T), Shri Vinayak Chamadia urged students to explore the unexplored destinations of the A&N Islands and become Ambassadors of the islands by sharing their unique stories with the rest of India and the world. He highlighted the vital role of young people in showcasing the islands’ natural beauty, heritage, and sustainable tourism potential through digital platforms.
Representing the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, Ms. Neerja Gupta, Additional Director (Prog.) and Nodal Officer for WAVES OTT, encouraged students to actively participate in the Gems of India 2026 campaign by creating and uploading original content on the WAVES OTT platform, thereby contributing to the promotion of the islands while showcasing local talent on a national platform.
Interactive sessions were also organised today at Tagore Government College of Education and Jawaharlal Nehru Rajkeeya Mahavidyalaya. At TGCE, Shri Prakash Adhikari, former Adhyaksh of ZPSA, addressed the students, encouraging them to become Ambassadors of the Islands and actively contribute towards promoting Andaman and Nicobar Islands’ tourism, culture, and heritage.
Officers from the IP&T Department interacted with students at both Institutions and motivated them to showcase the unique tourism, traditions, and hidden gems of the islands through creative digital content as part of the Gems of India Challenge 2026 campaign.
The sessions received an overwhelming response from students, reaffirming the youth’s commitment to taking the message of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands to audiences across India and around the world.