Port Blair (Sri Vijay Puram): The untold stories, vibrant traditions and unique heritage of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands are poised for a wider national audience, with the A&N Administration stepping up awareness efforts for the ‘Gems of India Challenge 2026’.
Virtual awareness-cum-orientation workshops were held today at GSSS Oralkatcha, CRC Swadeshnagar, and government 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 briefed participants on the Challenge and encouraged students and emerging creators to become storytellers of their own Islands.
“Document our heritage. Tell our story. Become a Gem of the Islands.” The message resonated throughout the sessions, with participants urged to showcase local culture, traditions, cuisine, crafts, history, eco-tourism, natural beauty and community achievements through engaging digital formats. Launched by the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, the national initiative seeks to identify and nurture grassroots digital creators. The Andaman and Nicobar Islands is among six States/UTs selected for its pilot phase.
Under the Challenge, creators can submit original 1–3 minute videos, reels, podcasts, documentaries or other creative formats focusing on their respective districts.
Create. Showcase. Win.
Submission window: August 1–31, 2026
District level: Up to 20 awards of ₹50,000 each per district
State/UT level: One ₹2 lakh award-winning creator from each district
National level: Selected entries to compete for ₹5 lakh National Awards.
To participate, creators need to download the WAVES OTT app, register with their mobile number and create a Creator Profile under the MyWAVES section.
With more workshops scheduled across the Islands, the Administration has called upon students, youth and creative minds to seize the opportunity and take the “Gems” of the Emerald Isles to the nation.
