KOCHI:
Kerala is all set to become a knowledge-based society for which the government will put in place all infrastructure and policy framework, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said, while inaugurating Kerala’s first-ever path-breaking Global Digital Summit, #FUTURE, here today.
“We have a wide range of highly qualified and skilled human resources and the world class physical and digital infrastructure that can attract the emerging knowledge companies in Kerala,” he said, addressing top business leaders and influencers from across the world who have converged for the two-day big ticket event.
Recalling the inherent strengths of Kerala to rise up to the fast-paced changes happening around the world, he said the ongoing conclave is a key step in showcasing the state as a global digital and information technology destination.
“Through #FUTURE , we hope to connect and collaborate so as to enable a digital lifestyle for all in the state…That is why we have this confluence of thought leaders, knowledge champions and leading industrialists, IT professionals and experts here,” he observed.
“It is not just physical infrastructure that we are focusing on .We are preparing the much required digital infrastructure as well,” the chief minister said, adding: “Through this summit we look forward to equip our industries, education system, healthcare and the government services so as to make the best use of the emerging technologies”
Vijayan said the interactions with the leading lights in the knowledge domain would certainly help share a comprehensive picture of the vast investment potential of the state. The summit would also provide a rare opportunity to the startups and the vast pool of skilled youth to meet and interact with the top figures who have assembled for the stellar event.
“We are promoting startups like never before with both technical and financial support. We are also investing in skill development platforms, apart from ensuring the last mile connectivity,” he said and noted that the summit is the best opportunity for students to learn from eminent academicians and leading professionals from the industry.
Vijayan said #FUTURE is the first ever completely digitised event in the state that has used mobile-based services for registration, entry and communication.
On the occasion, the Chief Minister also launched M-Keralam a unified app for all government services. Kerala is the state with the largest public Wi-Fi deployment in the country. The state Government has already set up 1000 public hotspots for Wi-Fi in Kerala and plans to ramp this up by 1000 every year.
S D Shibulal, Chairman of Kerala’s High Power Committee on IT (HPIC), while welcoming the gathering during the inaugural of the event at Hotel Le Meridien, noted that over 30 business leaders who have made a name in the global arena are attending the summit.
“It is significant that such an event is being held at a time when the world is on the threshold of a massive change impacting entire spectrum of activities. The aim of #FUTRE is to think about the future of Kerala and India and the summit is the first step in that direction,” he added.
V K Mathews, HPIC member and Convener of #FUTRE, noted that amid all the disruptions taking place globally, the scenario also offered a lot of opportunities and challenges.
Kerala Electronics and IT Secretary M Sivasankar and Chief Secretary Paul Antony also addressed the opening session of the summit. The Chief Secretary unveiled the knowledge report specially prepared by Ernst &Young in the backdrop of the event.
“Keeping in mind the massive changes taking place, the state has identified some vital areas such as cognitive science, enabling financial services with block chain technology, data analysis, cyber security, electronic vehicle regime and leveraging space technology,” Sivasankar said.
He also noted that the uniqueness of the state government’s IT policy lies in the fact that it is committed to making timely revisions and the first such exercise would take place in next few months.
The list of high-profile attendees at the event includes Nandan Nilekani, Non-Executive Chairman, Infosys; Christoph Mueller, Chief Digital and Innovation Officer, Emirates Group; Roland Schuetz, GroupT CIO, Lufthansa Group; Alok Ohrie, President and MD, India Commercial, Dell EMC; Byju Raveendran, founder and CEO, Byju’s; Natesh Manikoth, Chief Data Officer, Federal Aviation Administration, US; and Dinu John Parel, Global CIO, Dover Corporation.
