Ajit Pawar launches ‘Tech Wari’ drive in major push to modernise governance

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister CM Ajit Pawar on Monday inaugurated lsquoTech Wari Maharashtra Tech Learning Weekrsquo at Mantralaya highlighting the states commitment to transforming governance through innovation and technology Organised by the General Administration Department the initiative aims to empower administrative officers and staff across Maharashtra with digital tools and modern governance practicesldquoWe are not merely adapting to changemdashwe are leading itrdquo Pawar said at the launch event in the Trimurti Courtyard ldquoTech Wari sends a clear message that Maharashtrarsquos administration is embracing innovation to deliver faster more transparent and citizenfocused servicesrdquo he addedThe fiveday programme features expertled sessions on emerging technologies such as Artificial Intelligence Blockchain Internet of Things IoT Cybersecurity Digital Finance and frontier innovations aimed at shaping a developed Maharashtra The training also includes modules on stress management mindfulness music therapy and worklife balancemdashunderscoring a holistic approach to administrative developmentiGOT platform leadership Information Technology Minister Ashish Shelar praised Maharashtrarsquos progress on the Centrersquos iGOT Integrated Government Online Training platform stating that the state is poised to become the national leader in training completions ldquoWe are at the forefront of change in every field Performance must be measurable and service delivery should be fast and efficientrdquo Shelar saidState focussing on lsquoEase of Livingrsquo Acting Chief Secretary Rajesh Kumar reinforced the focus on citizen welfare stating that new technologies must ultimately enhance the publics ease of living ldquoOur services must remain peopleoriented and every innovation should work toward that endrdquo he saidThe event also featured exhibitions from startups in health education and agriculture sectors alongside displays from the Manashakti Research CentreAjit Pawar calls for AIbased skill development courses across key sectors in MaharashtraRecognising the need for skilled manpower with expertise in Artificial Intelligence AI across sectors such as agriculture industry trade cooperation education healthcare and urban development Deputy Chief Minister CM Ajit Pawar has called for the development of Artificial Intelligence AIbased skill development training courses These courses should be tailored for students from Industrial training institute ITI polytechnics undergraduate and postgraduate levels he directed officials in a meeting held at Mantralaya on MondayThe Deputy CM further said that the departments of industry technical education and skill development should play a guiding and coordinating role in the creation of these coursesA Memorandum of Understanding MoU between the state government and Microsoft has already been signed to establish AI Centres of Excellence with an aim to enhance administrative efficiency transparency and digital literacy Drawing inspiration from the Microsoft Centre of Excellence in Noida and Googles IT Park in Hyderabad the state is also looking to set up an IT Park or Innovation Centre in Baramati ndash Pawarrsquos Assembly Constituency ndash led by the Agricultural Science CentreThis project was discussed in detail during a special meeting which was chaired by the Deputy CM and attended by various senior officials including Minister of Skill Development Entrepreneurship Employment and Innovation Mangal Prabhat Lodha Additional Chief Secretary of the Planning and Development Department Rajgopal Deora Additional Chief Secretary of the Finance Department OP Gupta Additional Chief Secretary of Skill Development Manisha Verma Principal Secretary of Information Technology Parag JainNainutia Secretary to the Deputy CM Dr Rajesh Deshmukh Industries Secretary Dr Anbalang P Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation MIDC Chief Executive Officer CEO P Velarasu Microsoft Industry Director and agriculture expert Sapna Noharia Ratan Tata Skill Development University ViceChancellor Apurva Palkar Skill Development Commissioner Nitin Patil Baramati Agricultural Development Trust CEO Professor Nilesh Nalavade and Kiren Gujar from Vidya Pratishthan along with other experts and senior officials from various government departmentsThe meeting highlighted several key initiativesEstablishment of worldclass AI laboratories in the state through MicrosoftCommencement of AI training at Baramatirsquos Agricultural Science CentreIncreased adoption of AI technology in the agriculture sectorThe collaboration between Microsoft and the government will focus on knowledge exchange effective use of AI technology digital skill enhancement and setting up research centres Additionally the use of Microsoftrsquos eSanjeevani technology for medical treatments will be extended to Baramatirsquos Medical College Silver Jubilee Hospital and other hospitals across the statePawar emphasised that the use of Artificial Intelligence in multiple sectors including agriculture industry trade and cooperation has become a critical need for the state He assured that all those contributing to this effort including Microsoft would be welcomed and supported He also reiterated that the state government would offer full cooperation to these initiativesatOptionskeyd0ddb8ef8f1a62a8cdd22fac27fc5ea7formatiframeheight90width728params