Imagine meeting the Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi. That’s exactly what happened recently when a group of gamers, some of the most popular in the country, got a chance to chat with PM Modi. This meeting wasn’t just about bragging rights, though. It’s a sign that esports, a form of competitive video gaming, is becoming a major player in India.
Who are these Gaming Stars?
The group that met PM Modi included some of the biggest names in Indian esports. There was Naman Mathur, better known by his gaming alias Mortal. With millions of followers on social media platforms like YouTube and Instagram, he puts some famous Indian athletes to shame when it comes to online popularity. Another attendee was Mithilesh Patankar, or MythPat to his fans, who boasts a massive YouTube viewership with millions of subscribers.
Payal Dhare, who goes by PayalGaming online, is another interesting story. Coming from a small town, she’s built a huge YouTube channel with millions of subscribers and even crore views on her videos. This goes to show that even outside big cities, there’s a growing audience for gaming content.
PM Modi's interacting with Gamers.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with prominent figures from the Indian Gaming Community (IGC), including Naman "Mortal" #Mathur, #Animesh "#Thug" #Agarwal, Payal "Payal" #Dhare, and others, acknowledging the significance of esports and gaming… pic.twitter.com/Jz0A9djk9p— Bharat News Network (@NewsBharatNet) April 11, 2024
Esports – More Than Just Playing Games
Esports isn’t just about teenagers glued to screens. There’s real money involved, with top gamers like Mortal potentially earning millions of dollars a year. But just like in traditional sports, there’s a big difference between the top earners and others. Some esports athletes might only make a few hundred dollars a month.
The good news is that esports offers a variety of career paths. Animesh Agarwal, also known as 8Bit_Thug, used to work at a big company but left his job to pursue esports full-time. Today, he runs a successful esports agency, helping gamers manage their careers and create content.
Esports Makes its Mark on Mainstream Media
Remember watching cricket matches on TV? Well, get ready to see esports there too. Big broadcasters like Star Sports are now showing major esports events, just like they would a cricket tournament. This is a big deal, bringing esports to a whole new audience that might not have known about it before.
Even the government is starting to take notice. Esports recently received a major boost when it was included in the Asian Games, with medals awarded to winners. There’s even talk of esports becoming an Olympic sport in the near future.
Changing Perceptions
There was a time when people thought gaming was just a waste of time, maybe even a form of gambling. But the meeting between these gaming influencers and the Prime Minister shows that this perception is changing. Esports is being recognized as a legitimate sport, a growing industry, and a career path for many young Indians.
The meeting with PM Modi is a big win for Indian esports. It shows that the government and mainstream media are starting to see the potential of this rapidly growing field. With millions of viewers, big money, and even Olympic dreams, the future of esports in India is looking bright.
