| Convergence India 2014 expo, South Asia’s largest ICT, media, entertainment and applications industry expo, was inaugurated today by Hon’ble Member of Parliament and Former Union Minister, Shri Syed Shahnawaz Hussain at Pragati Maidan, New Delhi.
Speaking on the occasion, Shri Syed Shahnawaz Hussain said, “I am pleased to be present at this important platform that recognizes the potential of the evolving telecommunications, media and entertainment industry and its contribution in boosting the economy, and overall growth of the nation”.
In his industry address, Mr. Rajan Mathews, Director General, Cellular Operators Association of India, said “It is critical that the financial health of the industry be addressed and to achieve this, reduction of levies and convergence of multiple industries be allowed to generate substantial investment”.
Following this, Dr. Rahul Khullar, Chairman, TRAI set the agenda for the three day expo by opening the floor for dialogue on “Connecting India”, the theme for the 22nd edition of Convergence India 2014. In his address he raised the issue concerning ICT, which is ‘whether India is truly connected’. He also mentioned the need to use the Internet productively and identify the roadblocks in building infrastructure for the ICT industry.
Convergence India expo has been India’s longest running expo highlighting India’s progress in the telecom, media and entertainment sectors.
This year’s expo includes the “1st Telecom Summit 2014” on “Home grown technologies and skills”, designed to draw attention to the importance of skilling manpower in this sector. At the same time, the “1st Afro-Asian Media Summit” aims to highlight opportunities for India’s media, entertainment and applications companies to generate business in the African continent. “The Aegis Graham Bell Awards” continue to use the Convergence India platform to honour the best innovations in the field of telecom, Internet, media and edutainment. In addition, we also have FTTH Council Asia Pacific, conducting their annual conference at the Convergence India platform on the third day of the event.
Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Prem Behl, Chairman, Exhibitions India Group, said “we are pleased that Convergence India expo continues to be a strong platform for showcasing the needs and requirements of this important industry. With 326 exhibitors from 20 countries, we expect 15,000 ICT professionals to participate in the conference sessions and interact with the exhibitors”.
Exhibitors from India, China, Germany, Korea, Singapore, UK, USA and other countries are participating at the expo this year.
Convergence India has always provided a range of relevant topics for discussion. This year’s conference sessions cover topics including, LTE / 4G, Internet, digitization of the cable sector, broadband for all, etc. World renowned speakers are making presentations at the expo.
Mr. S.J. Singh, Vice President, Exhibitions India Group, said “The ICT media, entertainment and applications industry is undergoing a major transformation globally, which will impact every sphere including the way we think, communicate, learn and work, and Convergence India expo is setting a precedent by providing a unique platform to recognize and prepare for these changes.”
Convergence India is supported by the Ministry of Communications and IT, and the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. It is also supported by the Society of Cable Television Engineers which is conducting a close-door meeting with SCTE India, a branch of SCTE, UK, to impart technical skills to the broadband cable industry. |
