Progressive policy framework for information technology has been instrumental in transforming Odisha into a major Technology Hub: Chief Minister
Bhubaneswar : In a joint collaboration with Electronics and Information Technology Department, Odisha, Computer Application Centre (OCAC) & ETGovernment, an initiative of The Economic Times, Transforming Odisha Conclave-2023 has been held today at Vivanta, Bhubaneshwar.
Chief Minister, Odisha Shri Naveen Patnaik participating through virtual mode as the Chief Guest of the occasion, congratulated Electronics & IT Department and Economics Times for organizing the 2nd edition of Transforming Odisha Conclave – 2023 on the occasion of the National Technology Day.
Addressing the delegates and participants, Chief Minister said, Odisha has radically transformed as one of the leading innovation centres and technology hubs of India in the last decade. Big IT players like Infosys, TCS, Tech Mahindra have recorded consistent growth over the years contributing to software exports from the State. Over the years, many home grown IT companies have ascended the value chain in terms of business maturity, market acquisition and quality standards. This is a clear indication of the transformation of the IT landscape of the State. Our progressive policy framework for information technology has been instrumental in attracting many frontlines IT and consulting MNCs like IBM, Deloitte and Concentrix to the State.
Chief Minister also said, “My Government is focussed on creating employment opportunities for the youth of our State. Grand success of the Make In Odisha Conclave 2022 in attracting over Rs. 10.5 lakh Crore investments to the State truly showcases the transformation of Odisha and the advent of New Odisha. We are strengthening our talent pool qualitatively and quantitatively through world class skilling, reskilling and up-skilling programs so that industry will not have to look far for hiring manpower resources. “Skilled in Odisha” is today a buzzword in industry circles. Close to 11 lakh youth in both short-term and long-term courses have been trained under this program.”
In the conclave, an MOU has been signed between Electronics and IT Department, Odisha and India Electronics and Semiconductor Association (IESA) and a declaration has also been made by the VLSI Society of India to start an Odisha chapter. Congratulating on the occasion, Hon’ble CM said, this MoU with IESA will help the State of Odisha to realize its aspirations in the electronics manufacturing sector and declaration by VLSI, India is a mark of Odisha’s intent in the ESDM and Semiconductor space.
Participating in the Conclave as the Hon’ble Guest, Minister, Science & Technology, SSEPD & Public Enterprises Sri Ashok Chandra Panda said, “Odisha as a State has made rapid strides in the science and technology space in the last couple of decades. These strides have transformed Odisha into a major Technology Hub. Today, the State hosts the development centres of leading global and domestic companies, has premier technical institutions such as IIT, NIT, and IIIT, and some leading start-ups making pioneering breakthroughs. “The department of Science and Technology has also played a crucial role in the development of Geo-ICT and Satellite Communication Technology Applications under the visionary 5T initiative launched by our esteemed Chief Minister. These cutting-edge technologies have been instrumental in enhancing the efficiency of various government departments and agencies, enabling them to make data-driven decisions and implement policies more effectively.
Attending Hon’ble Guest of the occasion Minister, Electronics, IT, Sports and YS, Home Shri Tushar Kanti Behera said about how information technology and allied technologies have contributed to scripting of the growth story of Odisha over the last decade. Attending as special invitee Guest Shri Asit Tripathy , Principal Advisor to Chief Minister of Odisha & Chairman, Western Odisha Development Council spoke about how e-governance and being the data on web site has made it easier to provide citizen centric services accessibility to the public.
Addressing in the Conclave Chief Secretary Sri Pradeep Kumar Jena said that how technology has transformed Odisha in governance to an welfare State. Starting from disaster management Cyclone to COVID management we have achieved radical changes in many sectors with the use of 5T principles of Government including in health care sector, providing service to the people under food security Scheme, High School Transformation, sports sector and management of Minor minerals.
Principal Secretary, Electronics and IT & Chairman, OCAC ,Govt. of Odisha while context setting about the conclave, presented details about how IT innovations have been helpful Odisha achievement in different sectors like food grain production in Odisha, 24X7 Drink From Tap- drinking water supply provision in Puri, implementation of different Govt. Schemes, management of disaster, sports infrastructure and in many more fields. Shri Manas Ranjan Panda, Special Secretary, Electronics & IT Department and MD, OCAC gave welcome address and Shri Anoop Verma ,Editor ,ET Governement ,Economic Times offered vote of thanks in the inaugural session.
Other than the inaugural session, five panel discussions, with government officials and industry leaders held in the conclave. These panel discussions were on Expanding IT & ESDM ecosystem through policy framework. Semiconductor fab ecosystem laying the foundational building block for $1 trillion digital economy, Ensuring cyber security and data protection for government organizations, Use of emerging technologies in public service, Technologies for Education & Healthcare for all.
The Transforming Odisha 2023 Conclave was Informative and thought provoking presentations from leaders of top IT and electronics companies and government institutions. There was an interesting presentation on Make in Odisha by Principal Secretary, Industries Department, Shri Hemant Sharma.
To deliberate on the important subject of Modernizing Public Service Delivery for Digital India, a session was addressed jointly by Amit Lal, Lead- India Government Business, Freshworks and Aditi Oberoi, Lead Public Sector Transformation, Freshworks. In his presentation, Hitesh Vaidya, Associate Director, Head for Govt and Banking Business, Acer, talked about the Make in India initiative, Green PC’s, and how Acer is contributing in creating the Digital ecosystem in line with the Government’s vision. A special address on Future of Skilling was delivered by Saba Karim, India Head, LinkedIn.
According to the dignitaries from the Odisha government who spoke at the conclave, the State has made radical progress and emerged as a technology hub and innovation center of eastern India. By taking giant strides in the information technology sector, Odisha today stands among the States that are making a major contribution to India’s economy. With a vision to transform Odisha into a leading investment destination of India, the State Government has come-up with four new policies: Electronics Policy, IT Policy, Data Centre Policy, and BPO Policy. Currently, the state government is conducting consultations for developing a Semiconductor Policy.
The India Electronics & Semiconductor Association (IESA) represented by their leading office bearers at the conclave. More than 400 delegates from government, IT & ESDM industry, PSUs and education and healthcare institutions attended the conclave. Besides 27 companies operating in Odisha have been conferred with STPI Export Awards in this conclave.
