Thursday, Aug 29, 2024 22:00 [IST]
Last Update: Wednesday, Aug 28, 2024 16:27 [IST]
GANGTOK,: A day-long ‘Sikkim Anime & Manga’ workshop under the Raising and Accelerating MsME Performance (RAMP) program of the Commerce & Industries department was held at Chintan Bhawan here on Wednesday. The workshop represents the first stepping stone toward establishing Sikkim as a hub for anime and manga culture, creativity, and innovation—an IP-driven industry and commerce, which would put Sikkim on a global map.
The workshop was attended by Gangtok Municipal Corporation (GMC) Mayor Nell Bahadur Chettri, deputy Mayor Tshering Palden Bhutia, Commerce & Industries secretary Karma R. Bonpo, MsME director M Ravikumar, invited guests and students from different educational institutions across Sikkim.
“Sikkim has its rich heritage and we are excited to embark on this journey of anime and manga, under the guidance of Chief Minister PS Golay and the State government’s ‘One Family, One Entrepreneur’ scheme. There are numerous stories from Sikkim that need to be documented, and anime and manga would be a great way. We urge the participants to engage and embark on a journey to take Sikkim in the global anime and manga community. The workshop is not just about learning but building a community of passionate entrepreneurs as anime and manga can generate employment, as it is just beginning in Sikkim,” expressed the GMC mayor.
Karma R. Bonpo, in his inaugural speech, expressed that the workshop is being organized in Sikkim with the aim of making Sikkim a hub for anime and manga.
“The world is undergoing transformation and Sikkim has many talented youths in this field. The objective is to boost MsME working in the creative sector, as we want to see many MsMEs emerging from Sikkim. Anime and manga is an amazing art form and a form of storytelling and the demand for anime and manga is higher than ever and has opened employment opportunities, and today’s workshop is an eye-opener. We hope the youth attending will see it as a career option,” he said.
The secretary further informed that the State government is planning to set up an anime and manga lab in Sikkim, with high-end studio and equipment. “We are trying to create professionals in this sector and if the demands are high, we will also conduct training too,” he informed.
Sonju Pvt Ltd. member Sonam Gyaltsen Tenzing said, “The main goal of Anime & Manga was to inspire and educate the kids to take the next step unlike comics and cartoons where the main goal is to dictate what is expected of them. As our beloved State enters into its 50th year of Statehood, we must embark on a future that is based on the foundation of our rich culture, heritage and legacy.’
“This program is pivotal for Sikkim because it serves as a bridge between our rich cultural heritage and the contemporary world of the global creative economy. Our beautiful and small State of Sikkim is rich in its tapestry - with stories that have remained untold across the world. Sikkim has the potential to become a key player in this burgeoning market. Imagine Sikkim as a centre for anime conventions, manga publications, and animated content—drawing enthusiasts from all over the world with a global canvas as a market. Helping in the growth of our economy and adding to the layers of curbing unemployment,” he said.
He also informed that the Anime Convention team, India’s foremost AnimeCon will be coming to Sikkim soon.
The technical session included master class, live demonstration, case study, open forum discussion, competition etc.
India’s most awarded and renowned Anime & Manga studio, Kapi workshop led by Anant Maruthi and Gowra Hari from Vizag, Sikkim’s first and only celebrated Manga artist DP Tenzing, and Anime & Manga retail and merchandise store ‘Ownkneechan’ led by Jungshi Jamir and his team from Nagaland were also part of the event.
