Bengaluru will lead gaming, animation industry in India: Priyank Kharge
Bengaluru, Aug 19: The future of gaming and animation in India is bright and Bengaluru is poised to be at the forefront, said Karnataka Minister Priyank Kharge on Monday.
The government is committed to supporting startups and SMEs in the Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming, Comics, and Extended Reality (AVGC-XR) sector and establishing the state as a global hub for AVGC, he said.
"Government is ready with funds and is willing to partner with anyone. In fact, I am seeing the AVGC industry as a foot in the door for electronics manufacturing for gaming accessories. So, it has the potential to create a parallel economy with respect to manufacturing as well," said Kharge, who holds the portfolio of Information Technology.
The minister unveiled the theme and poster for GAFX 2025, the 6th edition of one of India’s most eagerly awaited gatherings in the gaming, digital media, and entertainment industries, which will be held between February 27 and March 1, 2025.
The Gaming, Animation and Visual Effects (GAFX) is jointly organised by the Karnataka government and Association of Bangalore Animation Industry (ABAI).
At the curtain raiser for GAFX 2025, Kharge urged the participants to seize the opportunity to engage in valuable learning experiences, network with peers, and connect with mentors.
"Right now, the state’s 20 per cent AVGC market share is driven by around 300 specialised AVGC-XR studios employing approximately 15,000 professionals," he added.
Sharath Bacchegowda, Chairman of Karnataka State Electronics Development Corporation Limited (KEONICS) who was also present at the curtain-raiser event said it is time for the industry to go beyond the back-end operations and create more India specific stories and content to revolutionise the industry.
He also talked about the efforts being taken by KEONICS to drive growth beyond Bengaluru.
"The initiative aims to proliferate digital economy growth in clusters beyond Bengaluru, such as Hubli-Dharwad-Belgavi, Mysuru, and Mangaluru. Each cluster focuses on specialised domains, with Mysuru emerging as a cybersecurity hub, Mangaluru excelling in fintech, and Hubbali-Dharwad-Belgavi becoming a center for AI, ML, IoT, and advanced manufacturing," he added.
Biren Ghose, president of ABAI and Managing Director APAC Technicolor Group said, "GAFX 2025 is both a celebration and an occasion to reward excellence as well as throw a spotlight on the future growth of the creative technology industry." According to him, the 6th edition of the GAFX will offer a platform for stakeholders to explore and strategise the growth potential of Karnataka’s digital media industry.
The other dignitaries at the curtain-raiser event included Sai Srinivas, co-founder of Mobile Premier League (MPL), Alfonso Tagliaferri, Consul General of Italy in Bengaluru, Hilary McGeachy, Consul General of Australia in Bengaluru and Vishal Dhupar, Managing Director of Nvidia.
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ISKCON urges Indian intervention following priest's arrest in Bangladesh
Dhaka: The International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) has called on the Indian government to take immediate steps to secure the release of its priest, Chinmoy Krishna Das, detained by Bangladeshi authorities. The arrest occurred near Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka.
Das, a prominent ISKCON leader and former divisional organising secretary for Chattogram, faces sedition charges stemming from an October 25 incident. According to a case filed on October 31, 19 individuals, including Das, allegedly placed a saffron flag over the Bangladeshi flag on the Independent Pillar (Shadhinata Smathamva) during a rally organised by the Hindu community under the banner Sanatan Jagaran Mancha.
ISKCON has strongly denied any involvement in terrorism, describing the allegations as "baseless and unacceptable." In a statement, ISKCON declared, "It is outrageous to make baseless allegations that ISKCON has anything to do with terrorism anywhere in the world. ISKCON urges the Government of India to engage with Bangladesh to secure the release of Sri Chinmoy Krishna Das."
Hindu communities in Bangladesh have staged protests demanding better legal protection and the establishment of a minority affairs ministry under the interim government led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus.
Meanwhile, Bangladeshi police have arrested two other suspects, Rajesh Chowdhury and Hriday Das, in connection with the case. The remaining accused include Ajay Dutta, Leela Raj Das Brahmachari, Gopal Das Tipu, and several others. ISKCON spokesperson Radharamn Das expressed concerns over Das's safety, stating that he had been moved to an undisclosed location by the police.
