Digital
Nasscom Foundation presents TechForGood India Conclave 2024
Mumbai: Aligned with the UN’s 2030 SDG Agenda, nasscom foundation presents the TechForGood India Conclave 2024. Themed “Accelerating the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development through Technology,” this event is set to take place on Thursday, 18 January 2024, at the India Habitat Centre, New Delhi. The initiative stands as a pivotal platform uniting various stakeholders, including government entities, organisations, civil society, last-mile enablers, social innovators, and the social investment community to facilitate impactful discussions and offer a collective perspective on leveraging digital innovation and data-driven solutions to drive SDG advancements.
The SDGs pose significant challenges while presenting unparalleled opportunities for businesses, governments, and communities in India and across the globe. It’s imperative to recognise that the deceleration of SDG progress isn’t restricted to specific regions; it’s a global concern requiring collective action. Addressing these challenges necessitates leveraging the power of technology as a force multiplier, promising progress. And as the next 7 years become crucial, the realisation that technology is the key is becoming irrefutable.
Speaking about the conclave Nasscom foundation CEO Nidhi Bhasin said, “The TechForGood India Conclave 2024 aims at uniting changemakers to accelerate India’s progress towards the SDGs, sparking bold action on critical issues like sustainability, digital equity and social innovation. We are positive that the conclave will enable the participants to co-create actionable solutions and harness the power of technology to unlock accelerated and more inclusive development”.
With curated master classes, flash panel sessions, visionary talks and fireside chats, over 10 hours of actionable insights, and the opportunity to connect with social innovators and thought leaders within the tech community, the event will dive deep into critical issues like championing sustainable dwellings, adoption of sustainable supply chains, climate change, green building, healthcare, education, and women entrepreneurship through the lens of technology and SDGs. Some notable speakers and delegates include Abhishek Singh, additional secretary, ministry of electronics and information technology; Sundari Nanda, special secretary ministry of home affairs; Urvashi Prasad, Director, NITI Aayog; Sindhu Gangadharan, SVP & MD at SAP Labs India; Amitabh Nag, CEO, Bhashini; Anjali Bansal, founding partner, Avaana Climate and Sustainability Fund; Srividya Nataraj, vice president, corporate service, CGI; Dhimant Parekh, founder & CEO, The Better India.
With designed framework, the event highlights include:
· Ask Me Anything @TechBaithak: A platform for NGOs to access communities that can help with digital empowerment such as open source, digital marketing amongst others
· TechForGood innovation showcase: A platform for social innovators to showcase their innovations and demonstrate the impact on SDGs
· Access to theme based networks: Demarcated zones for theme based networking, to promote cross market linkages and collaboration.
Agenda Link: https://techforgood.nasscomfoundation.org/agenda.php
Registration Link: https://techforgood.nasscomfoundation.org/register.php
Digital
Maharashtra partners OpenAI, Sarvam AI to boost state’s tech ecosystem
State to set up dedicated AI department and roll out frontier technology policies
MUMBAI: Maharashtra is set to become a primary hub for artificial intelligence following the 2026–27 Budget announcement. chief minister Devendra Fadnavis confirmed that the state has signed letters of intent with global giant OpenAI and national pioneer Sarvam AI to integrate advanced technology into the state’s economic and administrative framework.
The collaboration with OpenAI and Sarvam AI marks a shift towards adopting cutting-edge generative tools for governance. These partnerships, alongside MoUs with IIT Bombay and BharatGen, are designed to create a robust ecosystem for research and innovation. The move signals the state’s intent to bring together global technology leaders and domestic research institutions to accelerate the development and adoption of artificial intelligence across sectors.
Regarding the strategic intent of these alliances, chief minister Fadnavis stated, “With the objective of making the State’s Information Technology and Artificial Intelligence sector dynamic, letters of intent have been signed with globally and nationally reputed institutions like OpenAI and Sarvam AI to facilitate the Information Technology and Artificial Intelligence sector in the state.”
To manage these high-level partnerships and ensure effective implementation, the government is establishing an independent department of electronics, Information technology, and artificial intelligence. The new department will function with a dedicated commissionerate and specialised technical manpower, enabling faster decision-making, improved coordination, and stronger accountability in executing technology-driven initiatives.
The state also plans to introduce special policies aimed at strengthening its position in emerging technology sectors. These policies will focus on advancing Maharashtra as a global hub for frontier technologies such as artificial intelligence, quantum computing, drones, autonomous vehicles, and deep technology.
According to the chief minister, “The state government plans to introduce special policies to develop Maharashtra as a world-class hub for frontier technologies such as Artificial Intelligence, quantum computing, drones, autonomous vehicles and deep technology.”
Artificial intelligence is already being integrated into the state’s governance framework. A collaboration with Microsoft has led to the development of MahaCrimeOS AI, a platform that has reportedly reduced police investigation times by 80 per cent across 23 police stations in Nagpur. The initiative demonstrates how AI-driven tools can significantly enhance law enforcement efficiency and data analysis capabilities.
The government is also working toward building a fully digitised administrative ecosystem. Plans are underway to achieve complete digitisation of land transactions and implement electronic office systems across departments, paving the way for a paperless government. In addition, a pilot project will introduce AI-powered solutions in 75 selected villages to improve infrastructure, governance efficiency, and overall quality of life in rural areas.
To strengthen digital infrastructure and data protection, the state also intends to establish an advanced data centre in Nagpur. This facility will be designed to safeguard sensitive and sovereign information while supporting large-scale digital services and government platforms.
These initiatives form part of Maharashtra’s broader cyber security and digital transformation strategy aligned with the Viksit Maharashtra 2047 vision. By partnering with global and domestic technology leaders such as OpenAI and Sarvam AI, the state aims to build a secure, future-ready digital ecosystem that enhances citizen services, supports innovation, and strengthens India’s position in emerging technologies.
