From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network
Bengaluru, Jan 16: As it to suggest that everything is normal as far as the H D Kumaraswamy-led JD(S)-Congress coalition regime despite media speculation over the government’s stability due to opposition BJP’s alleged “Operation Kamala 2,’’ Deputy Chief Minister Dr G Parameshwara kept himself totally busy in all holding dialogue with leaders of all industrial sectors to discuss the ecosystem challenges and opportunities in the IT and related sectors.
The dialogue and interaction organized by the state government’s Information Technology (IT), Biotechnology (BT), Science and Technology (S&T) Department in Bengaluru on Wednesday with the objective of strengthening industry-government relationship and to chart the future path for the State.
“The idea behind the entire day-long exercise is to solidify Karnataka’s position as the leader in the science, information and biotechnology sectors in the country,’’ Dr Parameshwara said.
The interaction was also to announce the BTS 2019 plan drafted by the state government.
Deputy Chief Minister Dr G Parameshwara, who also holds additional charge as Minister for IT, BT, S&T, explained that the interaction and discussion addressed policy making, infrastructure and other the unique challenges of the industry.
Senior leaders from the industry, technology experts, R&D professionals, and international trade bodies and delegations - members of the Global Innovation Alliance, participated in the interaction.
Delivering his keynote address at the event, Dr G Parameshwara highlighted the efforts taken by the Government to strengthen the IT & BT, S&T ecosystem in Bengaluru and to create further areas of opportunity and growth across the state.
Complimenting all the ecosystem partners for contributing towards making Bengaluru a hub of IT & BT, S&T, he said Karnataka has become home to global captive centres and assured complete support from the State Government towards strengthening these sectors.
He stressed on the need to create a talent pool and updating the syllabus at institutional level in order to keep our home talents up-to-date about the ever-changing technology and innovation in the global level.
Spread over three sessions, the interaction consisted of a breakfast meeting with CEOs and heads of the leading IT, BT, AVGC, ESDM and startups and heads of industry associations.
The Deputy Chief Minister focused on the need to invest in the human potential and to ensure a future ready workforce. He stressed on the need for training and development, and to invest in R&D facilities.
Dr Parameshwara also held one-on-one interactions with leaders to discuss specific issues and opportunities.
The final session saw trade bodies, international delegations and members of the Global Innovation Alliance reaffirm their support for the IT BT sectors in Karnataka, and discuss further avenues for cooperation.
This session also saw participation from the heads of various startups and firms that took part in the incubation and accelerator programmes of the state, including winners of Elevate and Grand Challenge. This networking session allowed these young entrepreneurs to strengthen their ties with industry and government.
Dr Parameshwara emphasized on the need to hold interactions of similar manner in future in order to make Bengaluru a livable, innovative and leading city.
He said a meeting with leading industry leaders every quarter or six months would be ideal so as to make Bengaluru a centre of excellence in every sector.
Kris Gopalakrishnan, Chairman, Axilor Ventures, Kiran Mazumdar, Chairperson and MD, Biocon, Debjani Ghosh, President, NASSCOM, Gaurav Gupta, Principal Secretary, It & BT, S&T, R Girish, director, It & BT, S&T and Industry leaders from IBM, TCS, BOSCH, Intel, WIPRO, Strand Life Sciences and others dignitaries were among the participants.