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The West Bengal Electronics Industry Development Corporation Ltd. (WEBEL), along with Elets Technomedia, recently hosted the 2nd National Emerging Technology Summit, West Bengal on 22nd November 2024, at the Biswa Bangla Convention Centre. The event brought together policymakers, technology leaders, and innovators to explore how emerging technologies can shape a better future.

Thought Leaders Setting the Tone for Innovation

Shri Sanjay Kumar Das, Managing Director, West Bengal Electronics Industry Development Corporation Ltd. (WEBEL), West Bengal, introduced the inaugural panel. In attendance were Somobrata Dutta, Independent Director, West Bengal Electronics Industry Development Corporation Limited; Suresh Gopinathan Menon, Director, West Bengal Electronics Industry Development Corporation Limited; and Shri Sutirtha Bhattacharya, IAS, Chairman, WEBEL, West Bengal. Additionally, Dr. Ravi Gupta, Founder & CEO of Elets Technomedia, discussed the transformative power of technology in governance.

Shri Babul Supriyo’s Vision of Establishing Kolkata as an IT Hub

Hon’ble Minister in Charge, Information Technology & Electronics Department, Electronics Public Enterprises and Industrial Reconstruction Tourism, West Bengal, Shri Babul Supriyo, shared an exclusive video message congratulating  Elets Technomendia for organising a successful event. He further reaffirmed the government’s vision to establish Kolkata as a leading IT hub. He said, “The term “emerging technology” is quite open-ended, as what is considered emerging today might become obsolete tomorrow. In light of these challenges, the Government of West Bengal, along with the Ministry of IT and Electronics and WEBEL, is working tirelessly to transform Kolkata into the next IT hub of India.”

Expert Insights on Digital Transformation and Green Solutions

The summit organised various panel discussion sessions, aiming to cover all aspects of emerging technologies. The panel titled “Utilising Digital Innovations for Citizen Engagement and Inclusive Development” saw Kaushik Bhattacharya, IAS, Commissioner, Excise Department, Government of West Bengal, and Gitanjali Bhattacharyya, IAS, Secretary, Revenue and Disaster Management, Government of Assam, explore how technologies like AI can improve public services and foster stronger citizen engagement.

The second panel, “Technological Pathways for Achieving a Green and Sustainable Environment,” was moderated by Dipankar Chakraborty, Consultant, Emerging Technologies, WEBEL. It featured Aman Mittal, Joint Chief Executive Officer, Maharashtra Institution for Transformation (MITRA), Government of Maharashtra; Anand Bhandari, Business Head, Jio Platforms; and Monojit Sengupta, Delivery Centre Head, Eastern Region, India, TCS.

The panel session “Cybersecurity in the Age of Digital Transformation” saw speakers share strategies on how to combat cybersecurity risks using advanced technologies, and the panel titled “Internet of Things (IoT) for Smart Cities and Infrastructure” saw speakers explore innovations and challenges in building smart cities.

Innovations in AI and Governance Take Centre Stage During Technological Presentation

The summit also featured special presentations, with Mina Desai, Joint Director, Scientist E,  C-DAC, Kolkata, talking about innovations like the PARAM-8000 supercomputer and advancements in quantum computing. Shri Supratim Chakraborty talked about the importance of the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023. Gitanjali Bhattacharya, IAS, shared Assam’s advancements in AI-powered governance and Shri Subhra Chakraborty, IAS, discussed the role of technology in transforming education in West Bengal.

Also Read: Elets eUttar Pradesh Summit 2024: A Landmark Event in IT and Electronics Innovation

WEBEL’s Journey Highlighted in Commemorative eGov Magazine Souvenir

The summit witnessed the launch of a special souvenir celebrating 50 years of WEBEL. The publication, unveiled by Shri Sanjay Kumar Das, features stories of WEBEL’s innovations, collaborations, and impact over the past five decades, focusing on milestones in digital governance, skill development, and technological innovation. It also includes case studies and success stories of initiatives that have significantly transformed the digital landscape of West Bengal.

The 2nd National Emerging Technology Summit concluded with a focus on the future of innovation and collaboration. Leaders and participants left with actionable insights to harness the potential of emerging technologies for sustainable development. The summit discussed the importance of partnerships between governments, industries, and communities in building a tech-driven, sustainable future, working towards a more connected and sustainable tomorrow.

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