Sri Vijaya Puram, Aug. 12: The Andaman and Nicobar Administration has begun a series of island-wide awareness-cum-orientation workshops to encourage students, youth and emerging digital creators to take part in the Gems of India Challenge 2026, officials said on Wednesday.
Workshops target colleges, digital creators
Resource persons from the Information, Publicity and Tourism Department and the My Bharat team conducted sessions at the Jawaharlal Nehru Rajkeeya Mahavidyalaya (JNRM), Andaman College of Nursing (ANCOL) and Andaman Law College in Sri Vijaya Puram on Wednesday. The one-hour briefings introduced students to the objectives of the Challenge, the registration process through the MyWAVES portal and a live demonstration of online submission.
The Administration said the initiative aims to showcase the Islands’ “unique stories, culture, heritage and tourism potential” through short digital entries created by grassroots storytellers. The Andaman and Nicobar Islands are among the six States and Union Territories selected for the Pilot Phase of the programme, which is being rolled out by the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, Government of India.
What creators must submit
Under the Challenge, participants are required to produce original digital content of 1 to 3 minutes duration and submit it through the MyWAVES section of the WAVES OTT platform. The Administration highlighted that entries should focus on authentic digital storytelling that reflects the culture, heritage, traditions, history and distinctive achievements of districts or localities within the Islands.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Submission platform | MyWAVES (WAVES OTT) |
| Content duration | 1–3 minutes |
| Pilot Phase submission window | 1–31 August 2026 |
Schedule and outreach
Officials said the workshops will continue through the coming days with the schedule starting from Aug. 13. During the sessions, resource persons covered:
- an introduction to the Gems of India Challenge and its objectives;
- how to register on MyWAVES and upload submissions;
- guidance on themes, technical specifications and authenticity of content.
The Administration urged students, aspiring filmmakers, vloggers, photographers, storytellers and other creative minds of the Islands to participate actively and use the opportunity to highlight local narratives and tourism potential.
Why the pilot matters locally
Selection of the Islands for the Pilot Phase gives local creators early access to a national platform promoted by the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting. For students and emerging digital professionals on the Islands, officials said, the Challenge can provide visibility and practical experience in digital storytelling — skills that have growing relevance in media, tourism promotion and cultural documentation.
Workshop organisers also addressed queries raised by students during interactive segments, providing step-by-step demonstrations on registration and content submission to reduce technical barriers for first-time creators. The Administration emphasised the need for original material and adherence to the specified duration and platform requirements.
Participation advice for interested creators
Officials reiterated key points prospective entrants should remember:
- Prepare original, fact-checked material focusing on local culture, heritage or tourism;
- Keep the final edited video within 1–3 minutes and comply with platform specifications;
- Register and submit only through the MyWAVES portal during the 1–31 August 2026 window.
Organisers did not release details of rewards or selection criteria for subsequent phases beyond the Pilot Phase at the workshops, limiting their focus to participation mechanics and content standards. Further details on evaluation, prizes or next steps will be governed by the Ministry’s broader guidelines for the programme, the Administration added.
Students and creators seeking clarification were directed to contact the Information, Publicity and Tourism Department for local support and assistance with the registration process.
