NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Modi on Friday presented the first ever National Creators' Awards at the Bharat Mandapam here.
Among those awarded were Pankhti Pandey, who got the award in 'Green Champion' category, Keerthika Govindasamy got it for best story teller, singer Maithili Thakur got the 'Cultural Ambassador of the Year award', Gaurav Chaudhary for the Best Creator in Tech Category and Kamiya Jani for the Favourite Travel Creator.
PM Modi said that creativity creates a wave of positivity for progress, peace, and prosperity.
The PM also called upon the content creators to create a wave through their content against drugs.
"Can we create more such content, which brings awareness among the youth about the negative effects of drugs? Can we say- Drugs is not cool for youth?" PM Modi said.
The PM also said that these awards will stand as a big motivation for content creators in the future.
"Their work will, thus, get huge recognition."
He said that notably, associating around 1.5-1.75 lakh creative minds in this event, in such a short period, speaks volumes about the creativity and potential of the country.
"You all are my family, 140 crore countrymen are my family. You die more for me than for me, because I live for you and many die for the one who does not live for himself," he said striking the chords of emotions of countrymen.
Exuding confidence in continuing in power for a third term,PM Modi asserted, "I guarantee you that I will organize a similar program on the next Shivratri also."
Speaking about a secret of his success, he said very prophetically "By the grace of God, I sense the time ahead of time. These awards are going to be very significant and famous in the coming times. These awards are energizing this new era!"
He said that this is a special moment of honouring the creativity and spirit of sensitivity towards the everyday life of society.
The awards have been envisioned as a launch pad for the use of creativity to drive positive change.
The awards are an effort to recognise excellence and impact across domains, including storytelling, social change advocacy, environmental sustainability, education and gaming.
More than 1.5 lakh nominations across 20 different categories were received.
Subsequently, in the voting round, about 10 lakh votes were cast for digital creators in various award categories.
Following this, 23 winners, including three international creators, were decided.
The awards were given across 20 categories, including in best storyteller, the disruptor, celebrity creator, green champion, best creator for social change, most impactful agri creator, cultural ambassador, Best Travel Creator, swachhta ambassador, new India champion, tech creator, heritage fashion, most creative creator (male and female), best creator in food category, best creator in education and international creator award.
(With inputs from PTI)