Hyderabad hosts India’s first International Blockchain Congress 

Hyderabad hosted India’s first-ever International Blockchain Congress in collaboration with NITI Aayog, Goa government and Nucleus Vision from August 3 to 4. The conference then moved to Goa where the rest of the deliberations took place on August 5. 

The speakers at the event were KT Rama Rao, Minister of IT - Government of Telangana; Rohan Khaunte, Minister of IT - Government of Goa; Amitabh Kant, CEO, NITI Aayog; Jayesh Ranjan, IT Secretary -Government of Telangana; Ameya Abhyankar, IT Director, Government Of Goa; Arun Seth, Chairman - NASSCOM Foundation; CP Gurnani, CEO - Tech Mahindra; Mohandas Pai, Chairman - Manipal Global Education; among a few notable ones.

India has the potential to be the global blockchain leader. With an abundance of young, talented, tech-savvy population, India is rapidly developing and consequently overtaking other technology markets. India boasts of the second largest online market in the world.

India also produces the largest number of engineers in the world and has well entrenched players ready to explore innovative technologies. But start-up eco-systems, investors, tech giants, talent pool and the government must work in tandem to achieve the potential and this includes knowledge and understanding of Blockchain technologies. For India to move faster and further and fulfil the potential of becoming a global leader in blockchain and its allied services. The technology must be promoted by the Government, and to ease the process more interaction between the Government and the Industry is essential at all levels.
The International Blockchain Congress served as the largest congregation of innovators, businesses, technologists, regulators, start-ups and enthusiasts to pave the way for an open and transparent blockchain powered world. The inaugural edition on the 3rd and 4th of August tookplace in Hyderabad, Telangana’s Thriving Tech hub and one of the fastest growing markets for blockchain technology.

The first edition of the International Blockchain Congress hosted over 2500 participants with keynotes, panel discussions, and deep dives across 20 sessions conducted by over 50 speakers. The exhibition was open to over 50 companies displaying new technology, products, and services in the expo hall. Along with the start-up pitch competition, there were over 30 additional pitching zones for new technology companies to pitch to potential investors.

In another development, the Telangana State Information Technology, Electronics and Communication Department (ITE&C) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the global digital transformation provider, Tech Mahindra to launch India’s first Blockchain District in the state of Telangana. The Blockchain District will be a Centre of Excellence for Blockchain, an incubator for technology and process development with innovative infrastructure and facilities to foster growth of Indian blockchain start-ups and companies. Tech Mahindra as a founding member of the Blockchain district will provide platform and technology assistance to all the incubators in the Blockchain District.

Tech Mahindra will also empower accelerators to develop and solve market problems across its global customer ecosystem. Further, The Telangana ITE&C Department will provide regulatory and policy support to enable and promote Blockchain growth both in India and globally.

IT Minister K.T. Rama Rao says, "Telangana government is proud to pioneer the first of its kind Blockchain District in India. With support from Tech Mahindra, we envision to set a global benchmark in providing cutting-edge Blockchain technology solutions and platforms across industries. It is not just a proud moment for Telangana but India as a global leader in the Digital Era.”

C.P. Gurnani, CEO & MD, Tech Mahindra, says, “The launch of the Blockchain District is a moment in history, a global talent hub which can unlock the value of blockchain technology in democratizing data and solving big scale world problems. It is also a huge step in reskilling and right skilling the workforce of the future. Blockchain experts will be our crowning jewels as together we work towards making India the Blockchain capital of the world.”

The Blockchain District will provide an opportunity for the Blockchain ecosystem in India to collaborate and work towards building a Blockchain District in the State of Telangana and transforming India as the Blockchain capital of the world.