INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE I-BHARAT 2016

I-Bharat 2016 (Embracing Technology : Transforming India) was organized by FICCI (Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry) in association with Department of Electronics & IT , Government of India on 11th January, 2016 at Federation House , New Delhi. “i-Bharat 2016 - Embracing Technology : Transforming India ” is an ICT initiative undertaken by FICCI, with objective to engage various stakeholder of ICT to deliberate upon transformation of key sectors in India through effectual implementation of ICT. i-Bharat 2016 conference aimed to bring together leaders from all segments of industry and government to explore and demystify the complex technology trends and reach at solutions and execution techniques of the programs to connect India digitally so that the government and industry can to figure out new solutions to speed up the process of making India digital. Here conference aims to discuss the various technologies and government policies that could enable smart cities, implement Digital India and e-governance.

Two Faculty, Ms. Pooja Anand (Applied Science Department) and Ms. Shivangi Maheshwari (Computer Science Engineering Department) from Dronacharya Group of Institutions, Greater Noida attended the conference.

About i-Bharat 2016 Conference

“Digital India”, the national programme about transforming India, into a digitally - empowered society and knowledge economy; was approved by the Cabinet on August 20, 2014. Digital India envisions universal digital literacy and universal accessibility of all digital resources for citizens. Digital technologies are central for enabling a drastic change in various walks of life, literally transforming the way the businesses are being driven and managed. Digital world Transformation is viewed on the global platform not limiting this aspect of the Conference Theme limited to the National boundaries. These enablers such as Digital Technology, Internet of Things (IoT) and diverse tools, along-with the soft side comprising the vital resources namely the Human Resources and innovations do count to be part of this revolutionary change that we envision today.

Keynote Speakers :

The key panellist of the session were Dr. A. Didar Singh(Secretary General, FICCI) , Ms. Debjani Ghosh (Chairperson, FICCI IT Committee ), Mr. Harshavardhan Neotia, (President, FICCI ) , Shri Ravi Shankar Prasad ( Hon’ble Minister for Communications & IT, Government of India ) , Mr. Ambrish Bakaya ( Co-Chairperson, FICCI IT Committee).

First Session :

Dr. A. Didar Singh (Secretary General, FICCI) inaugurated the session by discussing the theme of the event, mentioning embracing technology in a big way will help India to transform itself into a new India in a very short span of time. ICT education is basically our society’s efforts to teach its current and emerging citizens valuable knowledge and skills around computing and communications devices.

Shri Ravi Shankar Prasad (Hon’ble Minister for Communications & IT, Government of India), Chief Guest of the conference started the session by talking about the technology which changed the world. He said that new technologies are deeply impacting governance, society and security and Digital India is evolving very fast and technology is reaching the masses helping them in their day - to - day lives and business. He mentioned due to the fact that Indians are very innovative and are always involved in jugaad systems, Digital India is politics neutral, centre state neutral and with positive signs where all of us have to work together for Digital India, Skill India, Make in India and Innovative India.

On promoting electronic manufacturing in India, Mr. Prasad said that the progressive policies and aggressive focus on 'Make in India' initiative have played a significant part in the resurgence of the electronics manufacturing sector. Investment in the electronics manufacturing has increased, giving a quantum jump to the sector.

He further added E-services have begun to pick up momentum and reaching the bottom of the pyramid, which is digitally empowering the people of the country. But the governments at the Central and state levels, industry and academia need to work in tandem to accelerate the pace of digitisation.

Ms Debjani Ghosh (Chairperson, FICCI IT Committee) started the talk by briefing about Digital India, Technology development and e-Taal. Digital India is a campaign launched by the Government of India to ensure that Government services are made available to citizens electronically by improving online infrastructure and by increasing Internet connectivity or by making the country digitally empowered in the field of technology. Digital India is a vision which can be accomplished by the active and thoughtful participation of each and every citizen of the country.

Electronic Transaction Aggregation & Analysis Layer (e-Taal) is a web portal for dissemination of e-Transactions statistics of National and State level e-Governance Projects including Mission Mode Projects. It receives transaction statistics from web based applications periodically on near real time basis. eTaal presents quick analysis of transaction counts in tabular and graphical form to give quick view of transactions done by various e-Governance projects.

Mr. Harshavardhan Neotia (President , FICCI) started the talk by giving live example of about technology usage and Digital India. He said Government has embarked on a reforms programme focused on making India an easy place to do business. The emphasis has been on simplification and rationalization of the existing rules and introduction of information technology to make governance more efficient and effective. Jan Dhan Yojana, Aadhaar and Mobile number (JAM) trinity is acting as a game changing reform that is allowing transfer of benefits in a leakage - proof, well - targeted and cashless manner.

Second Session :

The second session started with Panel Discussion 1 : Leveraging ICT as operation paradigms for building smart cities . Mr. Pratap Padode (Founder & Director) Smart Cities Council India, talked about the development and securities in smart cities. Smart cities helps in enhancing the quality and performance of urban services, reducing the costs and resources consumption and in engaging effectively & actively with its citizens. Environment boosts the local economy of any city in terms of its productivity, activities, employment opportunities and overall living standard. Smart cities have been just an alternative approach towards the inclusive development in terms of infrastructure, governance, growth friendly and a better place to live in. Digital inclusion has become a necessity rather a requirement.

Next session started with keynote address “Transformative ideas, Disruptive Technologies” by Mr. Leighton Philips (Director, Intel Solutions Group, Asia - Pacific japan), who delivered a presentation on Transformative ideas and Disruptive Technology. He said that digital technologies are presenting new opportunities that are transforming the environment around us. Therefore socio - economic development approach for self - sustainable growth is must. He further added disruptive technologies that can be the key components in improving social cohesion by providing various bridges for communication.

Third Session :

This session started with keynote address : Role of Private Sector in SDGs and How to embed and measure these goals in their operations, moderated by Mr. Joe Phelan (Director , World Business Council for sustainable Development [WBCSD] ). Mr. Joe said that putting the SDG(Sustainable Development Goal) at the heart of the company allows capitalization of number of benefits. Businesses are aware of SDGs but they don’t have the tools required for them. The SDGs compass is built around defining priorities (in action : mapping the SDGs against the value chain), setting goals (in action - adopting a goal setting approach), integrating (define the scope of goals and integrate with current system) and reporting and communicating. The penetration of ICT use in the business is necessary rather a requirement at all the level.

Fourth Session :

The last session was Panel Discussion III : What Role can ICT play in making India ready to address the challenges of the sustainable development goals (SDG). Mr. Kishore Balaji (Director – Corporate Affairs, Intel ) said that the success of both “Digital India” and “Make in India”, will ride on the back of strong telecom ecosystem, digital infrastructure and industry’s link in the value chain. Some important issues on policy and regulatory front will need continued attention and the policy should be data - driven, decision - maker and should lead to scaling up of the measures. Mr. Kishore Balaji cited 17 SDG goals different from earlier ones and explore what private sector can do towards the achievement of the SDG and role of ICT’s.

The i-Bharat 2016 Conference was concluded with the overall discussion on technology, digital India and Smart Cities. This International conference provided a platform to discuss the diverse technologies and policies that are key enablers for socio - economic development, building smart cities, implementing Digital India Program and also, discovering ways to embrace these disruptive technologies for smarter governance and transformed India. The session was very informative as it highlighted the initiatives of government in regards to Digital India. The participants got chance to be part of panel discussions and the talks of speaker, which were ineffably engaging.