PAKYONG: Minister, Education, Sports & Youth Affairs, Law & Parliamentary Affairs Departments cum MLA Namcheybong, Mr Raju Basnet, inaugurated the Asian Anime & Manga Academy (AAMA) at Basnet Ward, Pakyong today.
The inauguration programme was attended by Chairman, Sikkim Art, Culture and Heritage Development Board, Mr Sanjay Dilpali Rai; Additional Political Secretary to the Chief Minister, Mr Bishal Sharma; District Collector, Pakyong, Mr Rohan Agawane; Chief Engineer, Culture Department, Mr Rimp Dorjee Lepcha; Executive Producer & Director, Charuvi Design Labs Pvt. Ltd, Mr Aditya Singhal, along with Panchayat and heads of offices from various departments.
Addressing the gathering, the Minister expressed his honour in being associated with the event and appreciated the initiative, terming it a significant beginning for students interested in the creative world. He stated that such platforms are the need of the hour, as they provide opportunities for students to learn, explore, and nurture creativity not only as a passion but also as a viable professional career.
He added that the Government is also taking initiatives to support learning beyond the traditional education framework by creating platforms that encourage students to explore creativity, develop skills, and excel in fields where they have aptitude and talent.
DC, Pakyong, highlighted Sikkim’s flagship initiative “One Family, One Entrepreneur” (OFOE), launched by the Chief Minister of Sikkim, which encourages entrepreneurship across multiple sectors, including creative industries, thereby creating sustainable employment opportunities in the State.
He further mentioned that creativity is inherent among the people of Sikkim, and platforms such as AAMA provide avenues for youth to explore career options beyond the government sector. Emphasising that there are no major hurdles in connectivity or accessibility, he encouraged aspiring youth to be part of such creative programmes and generate employment through the creative sector.
The Executive Producer & Director, Charuvi Design Labs Pvt. Ltd., provided an overview of the animation, cartoon, anime, and manga industry. He stated that the industry in India is growing rapidly and there is a high demand for skilled talent. He highlighted that Sikkim, with its rich cultural diversity, traditions, and unique narratives, offers immense potential and serves as a strong genesis for animation and creative storytelling.
The Asian Anime and Manga Academy (AAMA) is Sikkim’s first anime and manga studio, located at Namcheybong, Pakyong, with the objective of promoting manga, anime, and animation in general. While people of Sikkim are widely known for their creativity, the lack of professional platforms has often limited their growth; AAMA seeks to bridge this gap by providing structured training and exposure.
The RAMP training programme commenced today, offering a 20-day intensive course on anime and manga. Parallel training workshops for children are also being conducted at the studio.
- IPR Report
