New Delhi, January 18, 2024: Nasscom Foundation's TechForGood India Conclave 2024, aligned with the UN's 2030 SDG Agenda, brought together a diverse assembly of civil society, social innovators, entrepreneurs, government representatives, and technology leaders. The event served as a dynamic platform to foster collaborative efforts, accelerating India's Sustainable Development Goals.
During his keynote address, Abhishek Singh, President & CEO, National e-Governance Division, Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), emphasized India's commitment to leveraging technology for SDGs. "India is extremely committed to using technology and leverage DPIs to fast track the SDGs, and also to share our experiences and expertise with the global community," he stated.
The conclave witnessed the launch of a report titled "Digital Dividends: Understanding the Use of Social Commerce by Women Entrepreneurs in Rural India," a collaboration between Nasscom Foundation and LEAD at Krea University. The report delves into current trends, digital solution adoption, and stakeholder roles in empowering rural women entrepreneurs through social commerce.
Nasscom Foundation also announced a significant partnership, signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Bhashini. This collaboration aims to leverage Bhashini's platform for translating digital literacy and AI content into regional languages, thereby enhancing accessibility and addressing language barriers.
"If we don't take action today, there won't be a future," emphasized Nidhi Bhasin, CEO of Nasscom Foundation. "The TechForGood India Conclave 2024 aims at uniting changemakers to accelerate India's progress towards the SDGs," she stated. Bhasin highlighted the collaboration with Bhashini as a pivotal step toward creating an inclusive educational ecosystem where language is no longer a barrier.
On the sidelines of the event, Abhishek Singh of MeitY, emphasized the significance of collaboration in leveraging technology for social good. "The TechForGood India Conclave has brought stakeholders from the government, industry, and non-profit sector," he noted. Initiatives like these, he added, help in addressing how technology can contribute to achieving the SDGs and empower people across the country.
Amitabh Nag, CEO of Bhashini, expressed the commitment to advancing digital literacy and AI education through the collaboration with Nasscom Foundation. He emphasized the role of Bhashini's platform in bridging language barriers and promoting digital inclusion.
Srividya Nataraj, Vice-President, Corporate Services, CGI, praised the open forum created by initiatives like the TechForGood India Conclave, fostering collaboration and innovation toward achieving the 2030 agenda for Sustainable Development.
More than 80 notable speakers and delegates were present at the event, including Sanjay Dawar, Managing Director, Global Strategy & Consulting, Accenture India; Sundari Nanda, Special Secretary Ministry of Home Affairs; T Koshy, MD & CEO, ONDC; Anna Roy Senior Advisor, NITI Aayog; Urvashi Prasad, Director, NITI Aayog; Sindhu Gangadharan, SVP & MD at SAP Labs India; Anjali Bansal, Founding Partner, Avaana Climate and Sustainability Fund; Nachiket Sukhtankar, Managing Director, DXC Technology; Dhimant Parekh, Founder & CEO, The Better India, amongst others.
Aligned with the UN's 2030 SDG Agenda, the conclave, themed "Accelerating the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development through Technology," extensively explored pivotal topics ranging from sustainable living, climate action, healthcare, education, to empowering women entrepreneurs through engaging masterclasses, fireside chats, and dynamic panel discussions, bringing together diverse stakeholders, including government bodies, organizations, civil society, last-mile enablers, social innovators, and the social investment community.
