Highlighting the influence of the gaming industry in India, Prime Minister Narendra Modi engaged in a conversation with a select group of gamers. The meeting, which took place recently, saw seven prominent gamers from the country interact with PM Modi, shedding light on various aspects of gaming and its socio-economic implications.
The gamers who had the opportunity to meet with the Prime Minister included Animesh Agarwal, Mithilesh Patankar, Payal Dhare, Naman Mathur, and Anshu Bisht. Reflecting on their experience, Agarwal and Patankar shared their insights on social media, describing their conversation with PM Modi as “enlightening.”
During the meeting, the gamers discussed the importance of the gaming industry, particularly highlighting the growing number of games inspired by Indian mythology. They also highlighted the government’s recognition of their contributions to the industry.
PM @narendramodi ji’s chat with prominent esports athletes & game content creators will go a long way in creating awareness about the burgeoning online gaming & esports industry as well as opportunities in game development & game streaming. The discussion while bringing out the…
— Jay Sayta (@jnsayta) April 13, 2024
PM Modi participated in the conversation, addressing concerns such as the misconception of gaming as gambling. He queried the gamers about the challenges they face, particularly regarding gaming addiction and the distinction between real-money and skill-based gaming.
In a moment, PM Modi interacted individually with the gamers. He engaged with Animesh Agarwal, also known as Thug, discussing his gaming alias and its contrast with his perceived character. Anshu Bisht, aka GamerFleet, shared his personal journey, highlighting the financial hardships his family faced before he pursued gaming as a career.
Esports athlete Naman Mathur, popularly known as Mortal, recounted his journey into gaming, prompting PM Modi to jest about their shared enthusiasm for the medium. Payal Dhare, known as PayalGaming, shared her story of overcoming obstacles in a male-dominated industry, with PM Modi inquiring about opportunities for girls in the gaming sector.
The interaction culminated in PM Modi experiencing various gaming platforms firsthand, including virtual reality, mobile, and PC/console gaming. This engagement highlights the government’s interest in the development of the gaming industry and its recognition of its economic potential.
The gaming community in India is significant, with about 450 to 550 million fans. The industry has been growing, making $3.1 billion in the year FY23, which is 19% more than the year before.
PM Modi’s engagement with Indian gamers signifies a moment in the recognition of gaming as an industry with socio-economic relevance. As the industry continues to grow, such interactions serve to facilitate dialogue and collaboration between policymakers and stakeholders, paving the way for further growth and innovation in the gaming ecosystem.