Technovate for India - Chhattisgarh edition fuels tech-driven solutions in employment and farming
The Hyatt in Raipur became the epicentre of technological innovation and entrepreneurship as
Technovate for India - Chhattisgarh Edition
unfolded in a grand manner. Organised by
The Times of India
in collaboration with
Talrop
, the event aimed to empower students and young entrepreneurs with insights into emerging technologies, government policies, and industry trends. With an exciting lineup of speakers, fireside chats, and an
Ideathon
finale, the event created an ecosystem that highlights Chhattisgarh's growing role in India's digital revolution.
Inaugural address by Niharika Barik Singh
The event commenced with an insightful inaugural address by Niharika Barik Singh, IAS, Principal Secretary, department of electronics & IT, government of Chhattisgarh. She emphasised the state's commitment to creating a robust digital ecosystem.
Yash Raj Agrawal, Founder & CEO of GimBooks
"We are working towards ensuring 100% digital connectivity across Chhattisgarh. Our revised IT policies now include tax benefits and infrastructure support for AI research centres, cloud computing facilities, and startups.
Technology is only as powerful as the problem it solves. It is not about building the most complex algorithm or the most advanced AI models. It is about using those technologies to make a real difference—whether it's AI-powered farming techniques, digital healthcare platforms, or smart logistics systems.
Channel your creativity into solutions that will have a lasting impact," she stated.
Singh also outlined Chhattisgarh's cybersecurity framework, incentives for startups, and efforts to bring all government services online.
"We are positioning ourselves as the next data centre hub in Central India. We are not just preparing for the future; we are creating it," she declared, inspiring an audience of students, academicians, and industry professionals.
Following the inaugural speech, Yash Raj Agrawal, Founder & CEO of GimBooks, delivered a riveting keynote address, sharing his entrepreneurial journey. He spoke about how GimBooks evolved from a simple invoice-making app to a full-fledged business management platform with over 4 million downloads and a significant presence in India, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE.
He recalled a critical moment during the COVID-19 pandemic when his startup faced an 80-lakh financial shortfall. "There was a point where I thought about shutting everything down, but something in me said, 'Keep going.' And that made all the difference," he shared. His resilience and success story resonated deeply with budding entrepreneurs in the audience.
A thought-provoking fireside chat ensued between Agrawal and Rashmi Drolia, Senior Journalist,
The Times of India
, Chhattisgarh.
The discussion revolved around adapting to market demands, integrating AI, and scaling a startup in a competitive landscape.
"We built GimBooks by listening to our users. Every feature we added was based on customer feedback. That's the key—your users will tell you exactly what they need," Agrawal explained. He also emphasized the importance of building startups in smaller cities like Raipur, where operational costs are lower and employee loyalty is higher.
"Building in Raipur is far more economical than in cities like Bangalore, where high costs could have made survival during COVID impossible. Beyond costs, smaller towns foster a stronger sense of ownership among employees—they treat the company as their own, unlike metro cultures where work is just a routine. With supportive policies and funding opportunities, it's not difficult to build from here. The best ideas stem from personal pain points—problems you or those around you face.
That's how I built my company despite being a non-tech founder. Once you have an idea, focus on building a strong team, networking, and seizing opportunities—it makes all the difference," he added.
Technovate for India - Ideathon finale
One of the most anticipated segments of the event was the
Ideathon
finale, where students pitched their innovative ideas in a highly competitive environment. Three teams emerged victorious, showcasing groundbreaking solutions.
The winning team from the International Institute of Information Technology secured ₹50,000 for their AI-driven platform that enables smart job matching, helping the people of Chhattisgarh find jobs aligned with their skill sets. The first runner-up, Government Engineering College, won ₹40,000 for their initiative, CASH (Chhattisgarh Agri-Tech Skill Hub), aimed at empowering students to drive agricultural innovation.
The second runner-up, Kalinga University, Raipur, received ₹30,000 for their AI-powered skill development program. Beyond the cash prizes, the winners gained mentorship opportunities, funding prospects, and exclusive networking sessions with industry leaders.
Jones Joseph, Director & COO of Talrop, delivered a special address highlighting Talrop's mission. Ajeesh Satheesan, Director & CMO of Talrop, was also present.
"India needs a Silicon Valley-like ecosystem where inventors and entrepreneurs can thrive together.
Technovate for India
is a step towards making this vision a reality," Joseph stated. He further elaborated on Talrop's
Village Park
initiative, which aims to establish 4,000 tech hubs across rural India. "By decentralising technology and fostering grassroots innovation, we can put India on the global stage," he explained.
The event wasn't just about speeches and competitions. Interactive quizzes tested participants' knowledge of tech giants, AI developments, and India's startup landscape. The audience participation was electric, with students and professionals competing for exclusive merchandise and networking opportunities.
A significant focus was on the impact of Artificial Intelligence, automation, and cloud computing on various industries.
GimBooks is leveraging AI-powered voice assistants to streamline customer interactions, setting a precedent for how AI can be integrated into Indian startups. "We are training AI voice agents to handle customer queries and provide real-time support. This will revolutionize customer service in the coming years," Mr.
Agrawal shared. His insights were a call to action for students to embrace AI and data analytics as crucial skills for the future.
The
Technovate for India - Chhattisgarh Edition
concluded on a high note, leaving participants inspired and equipped with knowledge and connections to fuel their aspirations. The event demonstrated that Chhattisgarh is not just keeping pace with technological advancements but is poised to become a hub for digital innovation in India.
As Singh aptly summarised in her speech: "Dream big. Start locally, but scale globally.
The next tech giant does not have to come from Silicon Valley—it can be born right here in Chhattisgarh."
With a resounding commitment from policymakers, industry leaders, and students,
Technovate for India
has set the stage for Chhattisgarh's bright future in technology and entrepreneurship. The event will be conducted across all 28 states of India. Apart from Chhattisgarh, 15 successful conclaves have already taken place in Puducherry, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, Goa, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, Uttarakhand, Odisha, and Daman and Diu.
The next edition promises to be even bigger, encouraging a new wave of ideas, startups, and game-changing innovations.
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