BHUBANESWAR: Technology should act as a leveller by bridging socio-economic differences. While the idea of digital inclusion largely refers to a wage earner possessing a smart phone and having access to the Internet, it is a limited perspective, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik said on Monday.
Addressing NASSCOM’s Executive Council here, Naveen said it is high time health, education and water reached the common man with the power of technology. “Beyond creation of unicorns, stakeholders in the industry and administration need to focus on value addition and market capitalisation,” he added.
Addressing mediapersons on the occasion, NASSCOM president and CEO R Chandrasekhar said the world is witnessing a lot of turbulence because of both economic and political factors as well as major changes in technology. Today, clients across the world are expecting a lot more from the IT industry than just information technology expertise, he said.
NASSCOM chairman CP Gurnani said in Odisha, components such as the education policy, skill development, start-ups, digital Odisha and Smart City Bhubaneswar have to co-exist and work in tandem to attract major investment for the IT industry.
The State Government has decided to provide 5000 to 10,000 sq ft floor area to NASSCOM for setting up its start-up centre at OCAC. The centre will help to mentor local entrepreneurs, Principal Secretary IT and Electronics Department Pradip Jena said.