The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) will be conducting a series of two esports (short for electronic sports) development workshops targetting college students in Nagaland. A first of its kind for the state, the workshop will be conducted by professionals from the gaming development industry at Kohima Science College, Jotsoma on July 8, and Tetso College, Sovima, in Chümoukedima on July 9.
CII Nagaland Office made the announcement at a press conference, on July 7, held at Tetso College in Chümoukedima. It said that the CII’s LevelUp Northeast initiative has partnered with Game Forge to execute the vision of transforming India’s NE Region into a prominent center for gaming and digital innovation. GameForge is an initiative of the Indian Digital Gaming Society (IDGS).
In collaboration with partners like Game Forge and with support from industry giants such as KRAFTON India, it seeks to bridge the gap between education and the professional gaming industry.
The programme operates through two main tracks — one focused on teaching game development skills to youth, and another designed to help small and medium-sized businesses adopt AI.
It also maintained that the workshop will also open new pathways for skill development, career opportunities, and entrepreneurship helping position Nagaland as an emerging player in India’s digital innovation landscape.
According to CII Nagaland office, key focus areas for Nagaland includes practical workshops on game development and design; mentorship and guidance from industry experts; opportunities to explore careers in the gaming industry; platforms to showcase talent and ideas; and promoting the integration of local stories and culture into game narratives.
The resource persons for the workshops include — Saurabh Shah, Head- People Operations, KRAFTON India; Dr Shraddha Damle, inhouse Intellectual Property Attorney; Manva Hunswadkar, Lead- PR, KRAFTON India; Karan Gaikwad, Lead-India PM, KRAFTON India; and Karthick B, Associate Professor, Chitkara Centre for Game Design & Immersive Technologies.
Saurabh Shah, Head- People Operations, Krafton India said that the workshops lined up on July 8 and 9 would essentially amplify the comprehension of gaming as a career option. According to him, helping students unfold their perspective and “ignite their passion in terms of what gaming can offer.”
While gaming is largely treated as a hobby, Dr Shraddha Damle said that it has become a serious business today. She asserted that it is recognised as a legitimate sport in India, and also finding place in the Asian Games, Commonwealth Games and Olympics. According to her, government policies are gradually shifting towards embracing the growing popularity of esports as an industry.
