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.
"In this rapidly evolving world, where digital transformation is paramount, we recognise that innovation holds the key to unlocking a world of possibilities. From AI to IoT, from cloud computing to immersive experiences, technology propels us forward, enabling us to connect, create, and thrive. Amidst the challenges we face today, sustainability takes centre stage. By integrating sustainability into our innovations, we can ensure a harmonious balance between technological advancement and responsible stewardship of our planet. Furthermore, together, as brands and individuals, we must foster a culture of cooperation, innovation, and inclusivity. Acer remains committed to pushing boundaries, inspiring minds, and transforming lives through technology. As we celebrate National Technology Day, let's shape a brighter future fuelled by innovation, sustainability, and collaborative efforts." - Sooraj Balakrishnan, Head of Marketing, Acer India
“As India gears up for an advanced, tech-savvy future, National Technology Day serves as a reminder of the impact that technology has on industries at large. At Dell, we believe in integrating AI, ML to unlock new possibilities and transforming the way businesses approach IT challenges. Additionally, by harnessing the powers of edge and multi-cloud, businesses can better manage their data, in turn improving customer experiences and enhancing innovation driven productivity. With data centers also rapidly overcoming security and other business challenges, there has been a consistent effort to minimize carbon emissions with cutting-edge technology solutions like Direct Liquid Cooling (DLC) and Liquid Immersion Cooling (LIC). This not only helps businesses in achieving their sustainability goals, but also enhances the efficiency of data centers. At Dell Technologies, we are committed to using technology to create a better and a more sustainable future and have been working towards helping our customers reduce their carbon footprint.” - Manish Gupta, Vice President, Infrastructure Solutions Group, Dell Technologies India
‘Technology is the backbone of modern civilization, and this day celebrates the incredible advancements made in technology which in turn led to a fortified digital economy. The most recent and significant technologies like 5G, Artificial intelligence, Machine Learning, Cloud Computing and Cognitive AI have revolutionised the way we work, creating new opportunities, transforming industries, and driving productivity and growth. As a result of these advancements, there has been a creation of vast amounts of data that must be collected, stored, processed, and analysed in order to unlock their full potential. According to Seagate's Multicloud Maturity report, IDC predicts the total amount of data in the overall datasphere to reach 221ZB in 2026.”
“Moreover, the digital economy is powered by data and is heavily reliant on a robust data storage infrastructure to support the overabundance of data generated by various technologies and enable businesses to make informed decisions and leverage insights to drive growth and productivity. Mass-capacity data storage solutions innovators like Seagate, are creating breakthrough technology so that businesses and individuals can confidently store their data and easily unlock its value. Founded over 45 years ago, Seagate has shipped over four billion terabytes of data capacity and offers a full portfolio of storage devices, systems, and services from edge to cloud. At Seagate, we are focused on leveraging next-gen technologies to highlight the latest advancements in data storage technology and support the digital economy.” - Sameer Bhatia, Director of Asia Pacific Consumer Business Group, and Country Manager for India & SAARC, Seagate Technology.
“India is establishing itself as the next deep tech hotspot with its pool of 5 million digitally skilled workforce, national science and technology missions, and robust startup ecosystem that values emerging technologies like Artificial Intelligence, Cybersecurity, 5G/Edge, and Quantum Computing, among others. Quantum technology is an important part of India’s technology ambition and its success relies on strong collaboration within the quantum community that includes industry, government, academia, and startups. As quantum computing matures in the coming years, a new quantum-classical computing paradigm that combines quantum, AI and hybrid cloud will provide a disruptive opportunity for the ecosystem to develop deep tech innovations that address nation-scale challenges and opportunities. For Developers in India, there couldn’t be a better time to build skill sets in these disruptive technologies that will make them highly coveted by prospective employers. For India to lead in quantum-centric computing, it must build its own intellectual capacity and IP in quantum and its applications to become an innovation and talent hub.” - Dr. Amith Singhee, Director, IBM Research India & CTO, IBM India and South Asia.
“National Technology Day is a significant occasion to celebrate the incredible advancements in technology that have transformed the world as we know it. Today, technology is omnipresent and a key facilitator in creating needle-moving outcomes across all industries and governments. The convergence of technologies such as Generative AI, automation, Metaverse, Blockchain, 5G and quantum computing is unlocking new possibilities for businesses and creating a more connected world. It is also enabling significant reduction in the cost of doing business, enhancing revenues through increased differentiation, and ensuring higher customer delight. Tech Mahindra is focused on leveraging next-generation technologies to enable end-to-end digital transformation for global customers and solving complex business challenges.” - Kunal Purohit, Chief Digital Services Officer, Tech Mahindra
“In today’s dynamic era of evolution, technology is driving human progress, and the force behind technological growth comes with innovative ideas. We envision a smarter future in which digital technologies have the potential to revolutionize how everyone does business in an increasingly connected world. New-age disruptive technologies such as AI, IoT, ML, and cloud computing are the key factors in unlocking the true potential of the IT sector in the next decade of India's growth in technology and will drive new possibilities in digital transformation. Organizations must focus on upskilling and reskilling the employees to develop competencies and unfold tremendous growth opportunities across sectors. At MediaTek, we believe in investing in local Indian talent and scaling capabilities to drive innovation for India and global markets through dedicated technical training sessions, e-learning platforms, and regular opportunities for upskilling.” - Anku Jain, Managing Director, MediaTek India
“In this progressive era of evolution, there’s a significant increase in the demand for technology adoption, disrupting & impacting our lives like we never comprehended. New-age innovations have escalated the significant surge in the use of technologies and digital demands and has played an essential role in our lives more than ever. As a result, the government is also prioritizing digitalization and the adoption of new-age technologies, thus enabling India to emerge as a digital-first nation. Organizations are focusing on revamping their business digitally & taking initiatives to enable digital transformation. This includes an increased focus on skilling to build digital talent, enhanced investment in technological innovations and R&Ds, hiring young talent, and improving infrastructural facilities with a strong vision to create a digitally enabled India. In all this, Barco foresees acceleration in digitization, adoption of new-age technologies like IoT, cloud-led data, artificial intelligence, machine learning, AI innovation, and seamless connectivity & networking. Going forward, Barco expects automation of processes, focus on tech-based upskilling & reskilling as the major upcoming trends in technology.” - Rajiv Bhalla, MD India & VP Large Video Wall Experience (APAC), Barco
“Today, technology is playing a massive role in making the lives of common citizens more efficient, safe, and inclusive. It is our belief that the next phase of economic growth and development in India must be carefully calibrated and achieved sustainably. This will be marked by more robust infrastructure, strengthened by a digital layer to derive its maximum potential, whether applied to traffic management, city governance, connectivity, airports, or public transportation services. Furthermore, the use of powerful technologies like AI, ML, and Biometrics have already proven their efficacy in empowering governments to govern better, deliver citizen services more equitably and seamlessly, and maintain law and order. Deepening the use of technology will further strengthen governing bodies, and foster a transparent, productive, and safe society. We feel further enthused to see that the government is taking significant steps to strengthen the R&D efforts in the nation with initiatives like the CoEs for AI, conceived to realise the vision of 'Make AI in India and Make AI Work for India.” - Aalok Kumar, Corporate Officer & Sr VP-Head of Global Smart City Business & President and CEO, NEC Corporation India Pvt. Ltd.
“On this National Technology Day, let us harness the power of innovation to build a sustainable future. Demand for memory and storage solutions is accelerating rapidly, and we are excited to lead innovation in this industry. At Lexar, we are constantly in the pursuit to transform how the world accesses and uses information. It is our responsibility to leverage the potential of flash memory and other technological advancements to create a world that is not only technologically advanced but also environmentally conscious. All our products are designed to be power and energy-efficient, and can process intensive workloads in cooler operation. They undergo extensive testing in the Lexar Quality Labs with thousands of digital devices, to ensure performance, quality, compatibility, and reliability. Together, let's unlock the potential of technology to drive sustainable progress, ensuring a brighter tomorrow for generations to come.” - Fissal Oubida, General Manager, Lexar Co. Limited
“National Technology Day marks a momentous occasion to commemorate the extent to which we have pushed the boundaries of technology in driving economic progress and tackling some of the greatest challenges faced by the society. It is a good reminder of how technological advancements have propelled us forward, and have fundamentally transformed the way we live and operate. The world is evolving at an unprecedented pace, and technology is at the forefront of this transformation. At Truecaller, we are proud to have pioneered AI-based tech solutions such as Smart SMS, SMS Fraud Protection, and Call assistant, that empower users to combat scams, and enhance the safety of their communications. We continue to push boundaries and leverage the power of technology to foster a culture of tech innovation and deliver advanced solutions that are set to shape the future. From artificial intelligence and machine learning, to automation and cloud computing, we recognize the possibilities of emerging technologies and are constantly exploring new ways to harness their power. As the world moves forward, we must strive towards advancing research and development, developing socially responsible technology and collaboration in order to unlock the full potential of technology. With the country at the cusp of a technology revolution, let us continue to embrace its power to drive progress and meet the evolving needs of present and future generations.” - Rishit Jhunjhunwala, Managing Director, Truecaller
"India's engineering prowess is now widely acknowledged, with a formidable tech workforce bringing global recognition with homegrown brands being at the forefront of India's success story. The Indian tech industry has grown significantly from a $19 billion worth industry to around $245 billion. All signs point to this - today technology has become an indispensable strategic imperative that businesses need to thrive. At Noise, we have been riding this technology wave from the frontlines, remaining steadfast in our mission to democratize smart wearable technology by making it accessible to users across the nation. We believe in not just creating another product but innovating in a way that adds a meaningful and quality upgrade to our users' lifestyles. Whether it's smartwatches for professionals, college students, or children, TWS for music lovers featuring ANC and ENC, or integrating gesture and voice control for a completely hands-free experience, every product we offer is an outcome of in-depth consumer insights we have gathered and industry-leading innovation.”
“To further level up our innovation capabilities, we launched our in-house tech incubator, Noise Labs, last year on National Technology Day. This was introduced to conceptualize and develop one-of-a-kind products that will shape the future of technology across the industry. Our two brainchildren from Noise Labs, the Noise i1 smart glasses and the Noise IntelliBuds TWS exemplify the vision we hold for Noise Labs, and this is just the tip of the iceberg in our journey of innovation. With smart wearables becoming an integral part of our daily lives, we, as one of the pioneering Indian brands in the connected lifestyle space, are committed to empowering consumers with purpose-led, quality innovations, and our commitment towards this goal will continue to get stronger." - Amit Khatri, Co-Founder, Noise.
“On National Technology Day, we celebrate the spirit of innovation and scientific progress that has been driving India's technology ecosystem for the past 25 years. We've seen amazing progress over that time and can take immense pride in the contributions that our scientists and engineers have made to not just India but to humanity. Now we have to turn our attention to the biggest challenge facing mankind - climate change. Science and technology will play a key role and I am convinced that India can also make a significant contribution and help build a brighter, more sustainable world for future generations.” – Ajeya Motaganahalli, Vice President, Engineering, FlashBlade and MD, India R&D, Pure Storage.
“On this National Technology Day, we acknowledge and applaud the achievements of the brave scientists and researchers who made India’s journey to becoming a nuclear power successful in 1998. The Pokhran test set forward a precedent of technological advancement in the country and we’ve been growing exponentially ever since. This has also pushed our country towards more sustainable forms of energy production that include nuclear power, solar, and wind energy. The drone industry, which is a less recognized component of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, is helping carry the energy transition forward. Drones help coal-dependent energy systems become more sustainable and provide data to design efficient solar plants, watersheds, etc. Today, we strive to continue innovating the drone industry to unlock even more possibilities for sustainable development and positive impact in India and beyond." - Vipul Singh, Co-founder and CEO, Aereo
“On National Technology Day, we take a moment to celebrate the extraordinary power of technology which has transformed our lives. As a global leader in solutions that sense, process and connect to enable the Internet of Things and the AI revolution, we at Synaptics would like to specifically highlight the ubiquitous significance of semiconductor chips which serve as the brains of products and services that make our lives safer, more efficient, and enjoyable. Semiconductors enable the products we use every day at home, at work, and on the go, be it, smartphones, computers, access to the internet, home appliances, automation and entertainment systems, automobiles, and countless other electronic systems.”
“The success and impact of semiconductors depends on continued innovation, the key to future life-changing advancements in health, science, energy, climate, transportation, security, and other critical areas. National Technology Day reminds of us of the importance of investing in the talent and expertise needed to expand the capabilities of this industry. India has some of the best semiconductor engineers in the world, hence, we urge engineers to use their skills and contribute to the existing semiconductor ecosystem, particularly in the creativity in how these devices are designed. And we encourage students to consider engineering-related studies and careers to maintain the pace of innovation needed over the long term and continue to make our world a better place.” - Michael Hurlston, President and CEO, Synaptics
“National Technology Day is an opportunity for tech innovators and the ecosystem to recommit ourselves to advancing our nation’s efforts in becoming Atmanirbhar in developing cutting-edge technologies. At iCreate, we have the honour and privilege of witnessing and supporting some of the most talented and innovative minds in the country through active mentorship, funding, and networking opportunities to solve real-world problems with breakthrough innovations. iCreate is committed to identifying and supporting breakthrough innovations across sectors through various programs, given their importance to the development and prosperity of our nation, transforming lives, creating opportunities, and empowering people. On this day, I would like to congratulate and appreciate all the innovators and entrepreneurs who are working tirelessly to make a difference with their technology. I would also like to urge the government, industry, academia, and civil society to join hands in creating a conducive ecosystem for innovation that focuses on solving some of the most pressing challenges we face today, such as climate change, mobility, food security, and security," - Avinash Punekar, CEO, iCreate
"As we celebrate National Technology Day, we recognize that technology is the driving force behind human progress in this digital age, and introducing ground-breaking ideas is crucial for technological growth. The emergence of revolutionary technologies such as Al, loT, and others provides enormous prospects to apply technology extensively in new business areas, often causing a complete upheaval of existing business models. At Virtusa, with its Engineering First approach, strive to enable organizations to embrace digital transformation and leverage cutting-edge technology to stimulate innovation, enhance customer experiences, and elevate business growth to new heights.” - Ram Meenakshisundaram, Executive Vice President and Chief Technology Officer, Virtusa Corporation
“We have entered an era in which digitization is more of a necessity than a choice. Organisations today recognise the potential of technology and its ability to revolutionise their operations. Emerging technologies such as Generative AI, Metaverse, Web3, little code/no code, and Cloud, among others, are assisting organisations in making the transition to become future-ready.”
“We at Coforge work across the product engineering and application services spectrum. Our distinct value proposition is built by our strong skills in product engineering services and digital transformation, which include services such as data and analytics, cognitive, AI/ML, cloud, digital process automation, and business process management (BPM). Furthermore, our innovation group focuses primarily on upcoming technologies in the Metaverse, including mixed reality, web3 including blockchain, AI, and cognitive services such as video analytics, enhanced natural language processing, advanced and interactive user interfaces, and so on. We recently formed a Centre of Excellence (CoE) on Metaverse and LC/NC to build a capability ecosystem through our collaborations.” - Vic Gupta, CTO & CDO, Coforge
