Indian Gaming Influencers Meet PM Narendra Modi

Several popular gaming influencers recently met with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to discuss the future of the Indian gaming and esports industry. Among the notable gamers who were present were Animesh “Thug” Agarwal, Naman “MortaL” Mathur, Payal Dhare a.k.a. Payal Gaming, Ganesh “SkRossi” Gangadhar, Anshu Bisht a.k.a. GamerFleet, and Mithilesh “MythPat” Patankar.

A Pivotal Moment for Indian Gaming

This meeting with PM Modi signifies a significant acknowledgment of the booming gaming and esports industry in India. It has also sparked widespread excitement and speculation about the future of gaming in the country.

Teaser Videos Shared on Social Media

The encounter was unveiled in teaser videos shared on social media platforms. In a collaborative post on Thug and MythPat’s Instagram accounts, a clip showed PM Modi seated alongside the gaming influencers at a round table. In the video, Thug remarked, “I think Indian gaming peaked today,” which clearly encapsulates the sentiment of many within the gaming community, who see this meeting as a pivotal moment for the industry. Additionally, the caption read, “His (PM Narendra Modi) vision is set to revolutionize gaming in India.” The PM’s own YouTube channel shared a teaser of the interaction, promising a detailed video likely to be released on April 13.

Indian Gamers Get Government Recognition

The significance of this meeting extends beyond mere photo opportunities and casual gameplay sessions. It underscores the Indian government’s recognition of gaming and esports as legitimate and thriving sectors of the economy. Notably, the Gujarat Government recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Krafton to boost gaming and esports in the state. The outreach programme with gamers comes just a month after PM Modi felicitated social media influencers at the first-ever National Creators Awards.

What Did Modi Discuss With Indian Gamers?

During the meeting, the Prime Minister interacted with the gaming influencers about the future of gaming and tried his hand at a Virtual Reality (VR) game. One of the aspects discussed was the rise in games developed in India that centered on the country’s mythology. The gamers also discussed how gaming is not seen as a legitimate career in the country and women’s participation in the industry. According to reports, the Prime Minister asked about the challenges gamers face in the country, particularly the challenges faced by women gamers, the misconception revolving around the industry, and the struggle between choosing skill-based games and those that offer quick monetary gains.

Government Initiatives and Regulations Around Gaming

The Prime Minister’s participation in gaming also sheds light on government initiatives and regulations in the gaming sector. The Union government, through a notification, had given charge to the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology to make rules related to online gaming on December 26. The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports was tasked to oversee esports in the country.

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The interaction between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Indian gaming influencers marks a significant step towards recognising and promoting the gaming and esports industry in India. With the government’s increasing interest and involvement, the future of gaming in the country looks promising.