JOIN USBangalore IT.biz begins on a lacklustre note
The beginning of the event, once the premier annual happening for the industry in the IT capital of the country, however, was greeted with lukewarm response as there were very few visitors to exhibition stalls in the main pavilions.
Inaugurating the event, former President Dr A P J Abdul Kalam emphasised the need for convergence and innovation to accomplish a more comprehensive “Knowledge System Powerhouse”, which would be nurtured with global partnership and local requirement.
“Technology should bring social development. While packaging technology for different requirements, we must keep in mind its affordability and ability to harness the core-competency of people wherever they are,” he said.
He asked CEOs and industry captains to maintain transparency and create a growth model that takes into account holistic social growth, rather than merely a currency-driven one.
Six lakh jobs
Speaking during the inaugural function Chief Minister D V Sadananda Gowda said the government would organise an investor meet next year. He said nearly 70 memorandum of understanding signed during the summit last year have been transitioned gradually into projects with an investment of Rs 2 lakh crore.
He said the IT sector alone had received Rs 12,000 crore investment promising nearly six lakh jobs. However, the Chief Minister fell short of announcing the much awaited policy for the Animation and Gaming Industry, which the government was to have announced nearly a month ago. With the industry body maintaining silence, it is said that the government and the industry are not fully ready for the policy, despite high expectations.
Also speaking on the occasion, state large and medium size industry minister Murugesh R Nirani said the government of Israel is keen on signing a bilateral agreement with Karnataka to collaborate in research and development in some of the key IT areas.
He also said Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Bangalore has suggested some changes in the rural BPO scheme, which would be incorporated in the due course.
Referring to the IT, electronic, semiconductor and hardware policies, he said the government is looking to develop manufacturing units in tier-2 cities like Hubli-Dharwad, Shimoga, Mysore, Gulbarga etc.
Chairman of IT vision group and Infosys executive chairman S Gopalakrishnan said the industry must look at sustainable development in order to maintain growth momentum.
BangaloreIT.biz, in its 14th edition, has representations from Rajasthan, Bihar and Tamil Nadu, as well as a delegation from Atlanta, United States.