Telangana's Minister Advocates for Skill Development at CII Breakfast Session in Davos

During a breakfast session hosted by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) in Davos, D Sridhar Babu, the Minister for Information Technology, Electronics, and Industries in Telangana, underscored the state's dedication to enhancing skills and fostering innovation. He noted that the Telangana government is actively establishing a Skills University to provide necessary training and education for young Indians, enabling them to adapt to new technologies. This initiative, he explained, is industry-driven, with the government serving primarily as a facilitator.

Babu further highlighted the significance of keeping pace with technological advancements, stating that India should take pride in its talent pool and focus on elevating this talent. He pointed out that nearly every Indian state is now engaged in embracing new technologies and developing centers of excellence. Furthermore, he mentioned long-standing initiatives such as Make in India and Digital India, which have laid a strong foundation for state-level progress over the past two to three decades.

In remarks from industry leaders, Nadir Godrej, Chairman and Managing Director of Godrej Industries Ltd, noted the advancements in India’s environmental, social, and governance (ESG) initiatives, particularly in green energy, and the potential for collaboration within the country’s thriving startup ecosystem. Sanjeev Krishan from PwC acknowledged that while Global Capability Centres (GCCs) in India initially emerged due to cost advantages, the focus has shifted towards inclusivity and widespread growth across the nation.

Girish P Ramachandran, Chair of the CII India Business Forum, outlined three key areas for future collaboration. He suggested that countries could partner with India's skill development initiatives like the Skill India Mission, leverage the abundant talent available beyond tier one cities, and recognize India’s leadership in digital transformation as a prime investment opportunity. He concluded by emphasizing that as India continues to advance, its GCCs will play a crucial role in contributing to global progress.