It's a virtual no-show by nations, states at B'loreIT.biz

The once novelty factor of Asia’s premier ICT event, now lost on states that are now making rapid strides in IT, BangaloreIT.biz 2009 saw both states as also nations quite conspicuous by their absence.

That there were no such pavillions — IT Nations or IT States, earmarked specially for it, is another matter.

The City’s flagship event, which once prided itself about its pull power, waxing eloquence about the number of high-level delegations from various countries and large number of participants from states, was pregnantly silent on this score.

For regulars from states like Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Pondicherry, Pune, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Chattisgarh, to name a few, whose number swelled to over 14 at one time, and some of whose pavillions also won them best pavillion award, simple gave the show a miss. In fact, Gujarat was the partner state last time around, with Chief Minister Narendra Modi hogging all the limelight with his brand of Moditava.

Likewise, countries like Germany, Bavaria, Denmark, Singalore, Holland, Australia, UK and the like, who used to flock the three-day jamboorie with a retinue of high placed officials, too thought the better of it this time.

While last time, Mexico, as country partner, lead a 14-member delegation, including Minister of Economy, government officials and industry representatives, a nine member delegation from Denmark, as well as delegations from Japan and Germany too logged in at the IT mela.

This time, though Chile was the partner country, only a handful of them made the most of the event. Among states, only Uttar Pradesh, Orissa, West Bengal, besides Assam, making its debut, were the handful among those taking the stalls.

The organisers, however, claimed that eight countries and states participated in the event, without naming them in their customary curtain down conference.  

Further, they explained that this time around the emphasis was more on networking and seminars rather then on stalls and exhibits.

As for this, majority of exhibitors turned out to be Keonics or STPI-led companies, once again making the event a government-run show despite industry driven initiative.