'Animation industry could be at par with IT, BT'

 
Responding to the request from the Association of Bangalore Animation Industry (ABAI) at a function to mark ‘International Animation Day 2009’ here, the IT secretary said: “With animation industry all set to contribute to the creation of 15-20 lakh jobs in the country, the Government will consider the industry’s demand, for bringing it on par with the IT sector.”

Professionals from the animation industry who got together to celebrate the ‘International Animation Day’ here, opined that right now, 1.5 lakh people are employed in the country in the animation sector, which would in the next five years increase to 15-20 lakh skilled professionals.

Indians born creative

Speaking on the occasion, the Secretary to the Association of Bangalore Animation Industry, Chetan said, “Right now the animation industry is estimated at US dollars 300 million and we expect this industry to grow even beyond this figure in the near future and the best part is, you don’t have to be an artist or even know how to draw, but you will have to be creative and that is enough. And we believe that Indians are born creative. The potential that the animation industry holds as a career option is immense.”
The programme which is being conducted for the third year in a row, was organised at the Sophia’s High School.