In a forward-looking initiative to revolutionize governance, the Government of Odisha hosted an Ideas Forum on ‘Unlocking the Power of Data Exchange for Smart Governance’.
The event, held at the State Convention Hall in Lok Seva Bhavan, was organized by the Data, Policy and Innovation Centre (DPIC) in collaboration with the Electronics and Information Technology Department, Government of Odisha. The forum featured experts from the Centre of Data for Public Good (CDPG) and the Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, along with senior government officials, including Additional Chief Secretaries, Principal Secretaries, and others.
Odisha Chief Secretary Manoj Ahuja, delivered the keynote address, emphasizing the state’s pivotal moment in its data governance journey. He outlined plans to overhaul data capabilities through the State Data Policy, aiming to enhance interoperability, accessibility, and evidence-based decision-making. He highlighted efforts toward building a resilient and scalable data ecosystem to empower government departments and policymakers.
Experts from CDPG presented the capabilities of their Open-Source Data Exchange Platform, showcasing its successful implementation across various domains. The forum underlined the importance of fostering evidence-based decision-making and utilizing cutting-edge tools for governance innovations.
Principal Secretary of the Electronics and IT Department, Vishal Kumar Dev, highlighted Odisha’s collaborative efforts with the University of Chicago Trust through DPIC. He expressed gratitude to the IISc team for their valuable contribution to the Ideas Forum.
The session concluded with Executive Director DPIC Urmila Chatterjee extending the Vote of Thanks, reflecting the collective commitment to unlocking the power of data exchange for smart governance.
