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, 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.
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 Minister, Science & Technology, SSEPD & Public Enterprises 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.
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 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, Manoj Kumar Mishra 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.
Manas Ranjan Panda, Special Secretary, Electronics & IT Department and MD, OCAC gave welcome address and Anoop Verma ,Editor ,ET Governement ,Economic Times offered vote of thanks in the inaugural session.