History created with holding of maiden Digital Transformational Conclave & Awards in Ladakh

STATE TIMES NEWS

Leh: The 12th edition of the Digital Transformation Conclave & Awards, 2023 successfully culminated in Leh, Ladakh on Friday which were organized by GovConnect and iLounge Media Private Limited in collaboration with the IT Department of UT Ladakh, led by IT Secretary Amit Sharma. This Conclave is a ground breaking initiative, being a maiden mega scale event which happened in the UT of Ladakh since its formation wherein more than 20 states/UTs participated and Lieutenant Governor Brig (Dr) B.D Mishra (Retd) graced the occasion as Chief Guest and Advisor to Hon’ble Lt Governor, UT Ladakh Dr Pawan Kotwal as the Guest of Honour.
This Inaugural Digital Transformation Conclave in Ladakh has attracted a diverse audience, including government officers/officials from Tamil Nadu, Bihar, Karnataka, Himachal Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, industry experts and technology enthusiasts. The gathering aimed to delve into the latest trends, challenges, and success stories in the digital realm. Additionally, it shed light on the unique challenges faced by the public sector in embracing digital technologies for enhanced governance, service delivery, and citizen engagement.
Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh, Brig (Dr) BD Mishra (Retd), welcomed the participants, emphasizing Ladakh’s rapid progress in digital transformation. He highlighted the importance of digital sovereignty for national defense, stressing towards creating total autonomy in IT domain. Mishra acknowledged the significant contributions to the Conclave, citing examples like digital transactions and income tax digitization.
MP Ladakh, Jamyang Tsering Namgial, emphasized work ethics and Ladakh’s potential contribution to India’s five trillion-dollar economy. He underscored the importance of connectivity and financial literacy, highlighting the positive impact of Ayushman Bharat in remote areas. He emphasized the crucial role of digital transformation in promoting connectivity and financial inclusivity in border areas.
Advisor Dr. Pawan Kotwal invited participation in the 12th Digital Transformation Conclave, acknowledging the challenging weather conditions. He showcased Ladakh’s potential in AI strength, advanced technology, and economic growth. Kotwal underlined the region’s vastness, low population density and clean atmosphere, calling for increased tourism and GDP contribution through high-tech computer and industrial policies.
Earlier, Secretary, IT Ladakh Amit Sharma, in his welcome address, expressed his gratitude to the contributors of digital initiatives. Acknowledging progress in e-Governance, smart classes, and responsive tourism, he emphasized the transformative power of technology. Sharma highlighted ongoing efforts to enhance connectivity, promote environmental well-being and improved healthcare. Emphasizing public participation, he urged for collective contributions from the august gathering towards ongoing UT Ladakh’s progress.
Keynote addresses were also given by various dignitaries like Co-founder, Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer, Yotta Data Services, Sunil Gupta who highlighted the need for super-scale & super intelligence in India, spotlighting Shakti Cloud and Yantra Cloud initiatives. While, Partner-Government & Public Services, Consulting Leader, Deloitte India, NSN Murthy discussed the transformative impact of digitalization, citing Deloitte as an example and emphasizing the efficiency of services through digital lockers.
VP & Head of India Region at Iron Mountain, Anuj Kapur, provided insights into the company’s history and role in managing government records. Industry presentations
The Conclave featured presentation by industry experts who covered the topics on Smart Display Solutions: Transforming Government by Susheel Bhat (Samsung), overcome challenges of Digital Transformation using Zero Trust Technology by Gagandeep Nanda (Zscaler), Securing Digital Transformation : Evolution of SOC by Mukul Kulshrestha (Inspira Enterprise) etc
The Conclave comprised a series of insightful panel discussions, each shedding light on crucial aspects of e-Governance and digital transformation initiatives. Amit Kumar Singh, Senior Director at Deloitte India, skillfully moderated a panel that included officers from diverse regions such as Tamil Nadu, Bihar, Karnataka, UP, and representatives from Iron Mountain, among others.
During the afternoon sessions, the respective panels delved into emerging technologies, exploring the transformative potential of blockchain, IoT, and cloud computing. Additionally, disruptive technologies like zero trust were discussed in the context of transforming governance. This session aimed to unravel the challenges and opportunities posed by these cutting-edge technologies in the public sector.
The discussion then shifted to the realm of Digital Governance, wherein the focus was on enabling citizen-centric services, promoting e-governance, and fostering digital inclusion. Moderated by NSN Murthy, a partner in Government & Public Services and Consulting Leader at Deloitte India, the panel included Amit Kumar Singh, Senior Director at Deloitte India, and Satyajit Rao Vagvala, Director of Government & Public Sector Advisory at Nangia Andersen LLP. Together, they delved into the strategies and technologies driving this pivotal aspect of governance.
The concluding panel discussion in the evening was a comprehensive exploration of digital governance. This session, enriched by insights from government officials and industry leaders, specifically emphasized citizen-centric services, the evolution of e-Governance and the imperatives of digital inclusion. This panel provided a holistic perspective on the role of technology in shaping the future of governance, highlighting innovative approaches and best practices from both government and industry standpoints.
Special presentations on leveraging Geospatial technology on disaster management by Dr Manoj Rajan, IFS, Chief executive Officer, Centre for e-governance, Government of Karnataka.
The Conclave concluded with the felicitation of great initiatives taken in IT domain all across the nation after a Cultural evening in this Digital Transformation Conclave Awards 2023 wherein Advisor to HLG Ladakh Dr Pawan Kotwal did the honours to the Award Winners.
This maiden historical mega Event held here has marked a significant step in Ladakh’s journey toward Digital Transformation, serving as a pivotal platform for knowledge exchange and collaboration. Participants highly praised this Event for its insightful discussions, showcasing Ladakh’s potential and fostering collaboration among stakeholders in the digital realm wherein Secretary IT Ladakh Amit Sharma expressed deep gratitude to them while assuring that more such mega events shall be organised in the UT of Ladakh in times to come.