National Technology Day is a momentous occasion in our country, celebrated annually on May 11th to commemorate the successful nuclear tests that were carried out in 1998. This day serves as a reminder of the country's scientific and technological achievements, and the importance of technology in shaping the nation's future. It is a time for reflection on India's progress in science and technology, as well as a celebration of the contributions made by scientists, engineers, and innovators to the country's development. On this occasion, DT spoke to key industry leaders to know the significance of National Technology Day and explore the various ways in which technology has transformed India over the years. Read out the thoughts below from leading tech players in India.
"Today's businesses function on a huge volume of internal, confidential data, and managing it efficiently and securely is crucial for success. In the information management services industry, we recognise the challenges faced by businesses due to, integration, interoperability, analytics, governance, scalability, data security and user experience. Organisations’ digitised workflow demands customised solutions, physical security monitoring, identifying anomalies in the network traffic, and detecting fraudulent activity. These needs are being met by AI, IoT and ML powered information management systems that secure the organisation’s workflow, while scaling operations across departments that increase employee productivity. This National Technology Day, we are privileged to be catalysts of technological change in this industry and strive forth to identify avenues of growth for maximum efficiency.” - Katsuhisa Asari, Managing Director, Konica Minolta India
"India’s technology landscape has evolved significantly over the past few years, and this trend is set to continue in the future. One of the most significant changes is the rise of cloud computing, which has transformed the way businesses manage and store data. The adoption of cloud computing has led to the emergence of several other technologies, such as serverless computing, which has further reduced the cost and complexity of building and deploying applications. Additionally, advances in machine learning and artificial intelligence have allowed organizations to gain deeper insights into their data and make more informed decisions. Another trend that has emerged in recent years is the rise of the Internet of Things (IoT), which has led to the proliferation of connected devices and the collection of vast amounts of data. This data can be used to improve operational efficiency, optimize business processes, and even create new revenue streams." - Sanjeev Chabbra, Managing Director & CEO, Beetel Teletech Ltd
“The business landscape is rapidly evolving, and the need of the customers are changing at an unprecedented pace. To deal with this, technological innovations are required that evaluate the challenges and provide maximum value to the customers. SAP Concur provides its customers, and partner ecosystem with a comprehensive, configurable, and integrated travel, expense & invoice management solution that meets their evolving business needs, payment solution needs and helps them optimize their spending in a compliant way. SAP Concur’s vision is to “Create a world where travel, expenses & spend practically manage themselves..” by building an intelligent, predictive travel, expense, and invoice management ecosystem that instinctively and minimally interacts with employees so YOU can focus on what really matters…. By innovating faster on the cloud on cutting edge cloud-native code line & hyperscaler infrastructure, native integration with SAP S/4HANA & rich public APIs, infusing AI/ML in core business processes, mobile-first approach and with compliance & security as “non-negotiables” mindset.” - Srivatsan Santhanam, Vice President, Spend Engineering, SAP Labs India
"India is advancing towards being a global SaaS leader. However, in recent years, we have witnessed a hype cycle brought on by excessive capital, resulting in disproportionate hiring and irrational spending. This model was never sustainable, and the implications are pretty visible. Now, more than ever, it's essential for tech companies to strengthen their foundation through R&D investments and be open to exploring opportunities and markets to stay relevant. A strong foundation can help them in the face of market uncertainties brought on by global economic headwinds and technological advancements such as those in AI. At Zoho, we’ve remained frugal even through prosperous years and chose to invest in R&D and talent. Now, our focus is to strengthen these two areas even more while we serve our customers in the best way possible. On this National Technology Day, we want to stress upon the importance of the basics—focusing on sustainable growth and looking at building a business for the long haul. Tough times bring out strong businesses." - Praval Singh, Vice President, Zoho Corp.
“In order to improve their competitiveness and offer a better user experience, businesses are embracing technologies in ways never seen before. But in their rush, they shouldn't forget that technology can also play a key role in creating a sustainable future. At ManageEngine, we help businesses better understand their IT resource utilization and operational inefficiencies. We optimize IT infrastructure with a focus on endpoint security, service management, IT security and data centers, thereby helping businesses cut down on unwanted expenses and reduce their energy consumption. We are seeing the government and several business leaders take initiatives to create a sustainable future and achieve net zero emissions. If adopted right, technology can certainly be a major helping hand in their cause.” - Shailesh Kumar Davey, Co-founder, and VP of engineering, ManageEngine, Zoho Corp.
"NetApp recognises the immense potential of technology to drive progress, and the responsibility that comes with it to be environmentally conscious. Cloud serves as a vital resource for companies looking to become net zero and helps organisations achieve their sustainability goals. By adopting cloud-first strategies, investing in renewable energy technologies, and embracing regenerative designs, companies can pave the way for a greener, more sustainable future. Through our various offerings, we are steadfastly committed to continue developing energy-efficient technologies and solutions that allow our customers to significantly reduce their carbon footprint. We have set an ambitious but achievable target of a 50% intensity reduction of Scope 3 Greenhouse Gas emissions by 2030.” - Ravi Chhabria, Managing Director, NetApp India
“In today’s business environment, sustainability has become an important boardroom conversation. To meet sustainability goals, enterprises can prioritize this by leveraging various facets of technology. IoT, big data analytics, and AI can enable businesses to collect and analyse data on environmental factors such as air quality, water usage, and energy consumption, to optimize resource usage. Further, organizations can lower their carbon emissions by moving their data to the cloud. This strategy can help balance business and sustainability objectives while taking a comprehensive approach to address environmental impact while meeting business needs. On National Technology Day, we at Fulcrum Digital, reaffirm our commitment towards driving innovative technology-powered solutions for a greener environment.” - Vaibhav Tare, VP & Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) & Global Head - Cloud & Infrastructure Services (CIS), Fulcrum Digital Inc
“In today's era of digitalization, many businesses across diverse industries have adopted advanced technology to gain a competitive advantage and provide more efficient and globally connected services. As a result, companies are increasingly aware of the importance of cybersecurity in our highly interconnected networks. Recent high-profile cyber attacks have exposed the vulnerabilities that exist within these networks, causing significant concern for businesses. The effect of cyber threats is catastrophic for organisations of all sizes, thus, it has become essential to keep cybersecurity as a priority. At TAC, we are committed to leveraging cutting-edge technologies to facilitate end-to-end digital transformation for our global clients and tackle complex business issues. We firmly believe that India possesses the technological expertise and potential needed to drive innovation on a global level, and we are excited to be part of this transformative journey in the years to come.” - Trishneet Arora, Founder and CEO, TAC Security
“On National Technology Day, we celebrate the significant advancements that technology has brought to our lives. The Indian government has played a vital role in making technology accessible to the masses, leading to the growth of the country's consumer electronics market. The sector has seen revolutionary changes with the advent of wireless connectivity, sensors, e-commerce, and solar power. The constant updates and development in technology will further ease our lives in the times to come. Moreover, data analytics is an area where technology can play a crucial role in expanding markets and improving products. Let us embrace the benefits of technology and continue to make strides in this field.” Mandeep Arora, MD & Co-founder, UBON.
“On National Technology Day, we celebrate the power of technology to enhance our lives and transform our experiences. Innovation can bring us closer to our passions, through developed technology. Technological advancements have revolutionized every sector, be it finance, education and consumer durable. The consumer electronic market is widely contributing to this innovative world and this quality-proven innovation makes our lives easier through wireless consumer durable electronic products. Let's continue to embrace technology to enhance our lifestyles and find prolonged joy in the things we love.” - Lalit Arora, Co-Founder, VingaJoy
“On World Technology Day, we honor the remarkable potential of innovation to reshape industries and drive progress. As an enterprise tech platform originating in India and garnering admiration from top retail brands across the globe, BeatRoute epitomizes this transformative power. We are revolutionizing the way retail brands plan and execute their Route-to-Market. By bringing sales teams, channel partners, and customers together on a collaborative platform, BeatRoute is driving holistic sales transformation for brands and creating a culture of high performance and goal-oriented success. Let's continue to embrace technology to drive positive change and achieve our end business goals.” - Vinay Singh Co-founder, BeatRoute.
“On National Technology Day in India, we celebrate the incredible advancements in technology that have transformed society and the economy. From digital commerce to hyperlocal marketing, technology has disrupted traditional business models and paved the way for new, innovative ways of connecting with customers. At Sulekha, we're proud to be at the forefront of this technological revolution, providing businesses with access to cutting-edge technology innovations and marketing strategies through our Marketing-as-a-Service platform, ProManage. By leveraging the power of hyperlocal marketing and other digital tools, businesses can create personalized experiences that resonate with customers and drive long-term growth.”
“But it's not just businesses that benefit from these technological advancements. As a society, we're seeing the power of technology to connect people, break down barriers, and create new opportunities for learning, collaboration, and growth. From online education to remote work, technology is transforming the way we live and work, opening a world of possibilities for individuals and communities alike. Using technology to drive progress and growth in every area of our lives, let's work together to push the limits and build a brighter and more prosperous future for everyone.” - Satya Prabhakar, Founder and CEO, Sulekha.com & ProManage.
“In the modern age of digital technology we are able to achieve impressive breakthroughs at an extraordinary rate. There’s already a paradigm shift taking place in areas such as Healthcare, Public Sector, Retail, and many more. AI innovation will enable humans to leverage enormous quantities of data and make groundbreaking advances. A clear example of AI’s contribution to the future is SpringML’s recent project for Costa Mesa Sanitary District. The Costa Mesa Sanitary District (CMSD) is dedicated to protecting public health and the environment for current and future generations. The district, which serves more than 118,000 residents, provides solid waste and wastewater collection services to Costa Mesa, California, as well as parts of Newport Beach and unincorporated Orange County.”
“SpringML created a solution by leveraging the power of machine learning (ML) to detect sewer manholes, analyze them, and rate their conditions. CMSD cut costs associated with manhole maintenance by 60%. The initiative is also helping to improve public safety with more frequent and effective manhole maintenance, resulting in smoother roads, avoiding sewer blockages, and improving worker access to underground public utilities. According to research by PwC UK and Microsoft, by 2030, the use of AI for sustainable technologies could add up to USD $5.2 trillion to the world economy. The objective should now be to keep pushing the envelope and make it an indispensable tool for solving environmental, social, and governmental issues.” - Amit Deshpande, Sr. VP and India Head, SpringML
“As India celebrates National Technology Day, we acknowledge technology's pivotal role in driving innovation, expansion, and competitiveness in the country's tech sector. Technology has evolved beyond just a tool; it is now an essential enabler that powers every aspect of modern business, from data management and analytics to artificial intelligence and machine learning. To thrive in a more connected and digital world, every techie must stay current with the latest industry trends. Data analytics and integration are critical in driving transformative change and unlocking new opportunities for growth and innovation in the Indian tech industry. With the increasing use of emerging technologies such as AI, ML, cloud, and blockchain, businesses generate vast amounts of data that can provide valuable insights. Turning this data into actionable insights through data analytics and integration has become indispensable for businesses to remain competitive and succeed in today's fast-paced business environment. As the industry evolves, partnering with data analytics and integration experts is vital for companies to navigate the ever-changing technological landscape and achieve their objectives.”
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“The National Technology Day, first celebrated 24 years ago, is yet another reminder of the pivotal role technology has played in India’s evolution towards becoming an economic superpower. As we continue to make progress, we need to clearly prioritize sustainability in a way that goes beyond carbon emission and net-zero goals. While good policymaking and investments are imperative to progress, technology can be a great enabler in the path towards sustainability. Green energy through solar, wind power and hydropower offer cleaner alternatives to today’s dependence on coal and crude oil. Electric mobility also carries great potential to benefit from changing infrastructure and the provision of smart grids. Moreover, India’s burgeoning IT services industry has resulted in unprecedented investments in data centers. The need of the hour is to adopt a green approach by exploring underwater data centers, generating electricity through green hydrogen, and using AI more effectively to predict energy consumption.” - Poornima Bethmangalkar – General Manager and Head of Industrial & Manufacturing, Happiest Minds
