Digital India, the flagship programme of the Government of India, was launched by Shri Narendra Modi, Honorable Prime Minister of India, on 2nd July 2015. It has three essential vision areas: Country-wide digital literacy, delivering government services digitally, and development of secure and stable digital infrastructure.

Introducing the concept of Digital India is a step towards developing a new India where citizens are digitally empowered and economically progressive. A sustained effort will transform India into a leading developed country with a trillion dollar economy.

India celebrated 1st July 2019 as the completion of four years of Digital India initiative. As a pioneer organization of the Government of India in the ICT field, National Informatics Centre also observed the day, showcasing nationwide presence of Digital India initiatives of the Government.

NIC Odisha also observed the day by conducting programmes in collaboration with the State Government Department of Odisha. The memorable day started with a discussion forum on “Digital Initiatives in State and District of Odisha” wherein Smt. Pratibha Singh, Dy. Director General & State Informatics Officer and Senior Scientists from NIC Odisha put forth their foresight on the future positive implication of Digital India initiatives in Odisha.

Shri Keshav Tripathy, Co-founder & CEO, Nirmalya Lab Pvt. Ltd., a well-known figure in ICT industry in Bhubaneswar, graced the occasion as a guest speaker. He could bring the audience to envisage on Big Data, Analytic Technology and other possible future technological trends that would drive Digital India initiatives in urban and rural areas of India. Officers from NIC Odisha and from District Centres of NIC Odisha participated in the discussion forum through video conferencing.

The second event witnessed the participation of Shri C.J. Venugopal, IAS, Addl. Chief Secretary to Government, Odisha, Department of Electronics and IT at NIC Odisha State Centre, Bhubaneswar. Smt. Pratibha Singh welcomed Shri Venugopal and thanked him for his wholehearted support and the exclusive collaboration of his department with NIC Odisha due to which continual developments on ICT works towards fulfilling the goals of Digital India are being implemented.

Shri Venugopal, in his inspirational speech, emphasized on various aspects of ICT technologies, which can be used with the collaborative effort of the Government and private sectors. He stressed on spreading Digital Services to masses and also underscored the upcoming Bharat-Net through which ICT services can penetrate to block and panchayat levels. Shri Venugopal appreciated the efforts of NIC Odisha for its dedicated involvement in generating awareness among citizens of the country. He expressed, “Though we celebrate the fourth year of Digital India today, NIC’s effort to bring India to this stage of digital literacy and implementation has been since four decades.”

On the occasion, Shri Venugopal felicitated Shri Tarini Behera, ADIO, NIC Malkangiri, Shri Simanchal Sethi, DIO, NIC Nuapada and Shri Sidharth Kumar Mandal, ADIO, NIC Ganjam, for their outstanding efforts.

On another occasion, at Krushi Bhawan, Bhubaneswar, Shri Hemant Kumar Panda, Director, Soil Conservation & Watershed Development, inaugurated the official website of the Directorate of Soil Conservation and Watershed Development, Odisha (https://soilodisha.nic.in), in the presence of Smt. Sarita Sahoo, Sr. Technical Director, NIC Odisha and other Senior Officials from the Government of Odisha and NIC. Developed by NIC Odisha State Centre, the CMS based website provides information on the implementation of schemes, publishing guidelines and important notices for officials and citizens and recent activities. The website is in compliance with Guidelines for Indian Government Websites (GIGW).