Technology involvement is required to accelerate India’s SDG ambitions

At the Nasscom Foundation TechForGood India Conclave 2024, leaders convene to underscore the importance of social innovation and cooperation.
The pressure to meet the UN’s lofty 2030 SDGs grows as the year goes on. The Nasscom Foundation’s TechForGood India Conclave 2024 brought together government representatives, members of civil society, social innovators, entrepreneurs, and tech leaders for a day of discussions, deliberations, and knowledge sharing with the goal of strengthening collaborative efforts to accelerate India’s sustainable goals.

Through captivating masterclasses, fireside chats, and lively panel discussions, the conclave extensively explored serious topics that require immediate action, ranging from healthcare, education, and sustainable living to empowering women entrepreneurs and accelerating the 2030 agenda for sustainable development.
“There won’t be a future if we do not act now. The disconnected must be linked, which is the core of the SDG objectives and a void that technology may successfully bridge. The basic needs—access to digital literacy, clean drinking water, sanitation, nutrition, and healthcare—are shown as the pyramid of the disconnected. “Let us collaborate to tackle these pressing concerns and create a more welcoming global community,” said Nidhi Bhasin, the CEO of the Nasscom Foundation.
The summit emphasised how crucial technology is to overcome the major obstacles in the way of accomplishing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). A wide range of stakeholders, including civil society, government agencies, last-mile facilitators, social innovators, and the social investment community, came together at the summit to discuss how important it is to use data-driven solutions and digital innovation to move closer to the SDG goals.
In a keynote speech, Abhishek Singh of the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology emphasised the importance of using technology, saying that events like the TechForGood India Conclave provide a forum for collaboration on the use of technology for the greater benefit of society. These programmes address how technology can assist in achieving the SDGs, empower individuals, expand education to even the most distant areas of the nation, and guarantee that everyone has access to healthcare and fundamental rights. He said, “The conclave’s ideas and thought sharing will greatly aid us in getting started as we tackle this significant task together.
“Initiatives like the TechForGood India Conclave have created an open forum for dialogue, learning, and action among diverse stakeholders with shared goals,” said Srividya Nataraj, Vice President, Corporate Services, CGI. This summit aided in fostering cooperation and creativity in the pursuit of the Sustainable Development Goals of the 2030 Agenda. Our affiliation with the Nasscom Foundation makes us proud.”
A study titled “Digital Dividends: Understanding the Use of Social Commerce by Women Entrepreneurs in Rural India” was released in conjunction with LEAD at Krea University and was attended by T Koshy, MD & CEO, ONDC; Anna Roy, Senior Advisor, NITI Aayog; and Nidhi Bhasin, CEO, Nasscom Foundation. The purpose of the study was to identify the advantages and disadvantages that rural women entrepreneurs in India face when utilising technology to connect with markets. The research looks at how stakeholders can empower rural women entrepreneurs by increasing the availability, accessibility, and understanding of social commerce and its benefits for businesses. It also looks at existing trends and the adoption of digital solutions.
The Nasscom Foundation and Bhashini, India’s AI-based language translation platform, signed an agreement to translate digital literacy and AI content into regional languages at the end of the event. This will improve accessibility, support educational outreach, address language barriers, encourage inclusivity, and strengthen the network of partner organisations.”Nidhi Bhasin, CEO of the Nasscom Foundation, said, “Our partnership with Bhashini is a step towards creating an inclusive educational ecosystem where language is no longer a barrier.”
Digital India’s CEO, Amitabh Nag “By bridging language barriers and promoting digital inclusion, the Memorandum of Understanding in collaboration with the Nasscom Foundation signifies a commitment to advancing digital literacy and AI education,” said Bhashini. With its cutting-edge platform, Bhashini will be a key player in translating digital literacy materials into local tongues, expanding the reach of educational initiatives to the last mile. The partnership will implement several service delivery difficulties and expedite the SDG agenda. Then he said, “We have the ability to ensure knowledge building, foster collaboration, and make a larger impact through initiatives like the TechForGood India Conclave.”
More than eighty eminent speakers and delegates attended the event, including Sundari Nanda, Special Secretary, Ministry of Home Affairs; Urvashi Prasad, Director, NITI Aayog; Sanjay Dawar, Managing Director, Global Strategy & Consulting, Accenture India; Sindhu Gangadharan, SVP & MD at SAP Labs India; Jayant Rastogi, Global CEO & Board, Magic Bus; Anjali Bansal, Founding Partner, Avaana Climate and Sustainability Fund; Nachiket Sukhtankar, Managing Director, DXC Technology; and Dhimant Parekh