
Tata Communications WeConnect 2025: Forging the Future of Hyperconnected Enterprises
At the center of this vision is Tata Communications' "
Digital Fabric
", which integrates Network, Cloud and Security, Interaction, and IoT capabilities into a unified architecture. Bhattacharya shared how this architecture empowers enterprises to stay agile, deliver superior user experiences, and reinforce cyber-resilience. He also highlighted two upcoming innovations: GPU-as-a-Service and a MeitY-certified
AI Studio
, underscoring Tata Communications' focus on democratizing AI infrastructure for enterprise-scale innovation.
Arijit Banerjee, Senior Vice President and Head of India Business at Tata Communications, provided a broader outlook. He observed that the world was stepping into the Fifth Industrial Revolution — an era where technology must serve human values. In this evolving landscape, Banerjee pointed to four transformative forces:
The erosion of digital trustAn impatience economy shaped by instant gratificationThe rising demand for dignity and flexibility in workA shift towards asynchronous collaboration
Banerjee outlined a scenario where enterprises become orchestrators of hyperconnected ecosystems. Citing examples such as Bajaj Auto Credit's 90-day NBFC launch, Maruti Suzuki's integrated post-sales CX platform, and Tata Communications' innovations in live sports broadcasting, he illustrated how forward-thinking businesses are leveraging intelligent platforms to achieve speed, intelligence, and resilience.
The evening's discussions moved from vision to execution with two high-powered panel conversations moderated by Shantheri Mallaya, Editor at Economic Times (ET) CIO.
Panel 1: Reinventing Networks for a GenAI Future
Moderated by Shantheri Mallaya, Editor at ETCIO, the first panel explored the strategic transformation of network infrastructure in an era dominated by AI, cloud, and GenAI.
Panelists included:
Surendra S, Managing Director- Global Network Services & Voice Operations, AccenturePavan Goyal, CIO, Mphasis LimitedVenkatesh Kris, APAC CIO , CSCHari Nair, VP, Tata Communications
The panelists emphasized that static, legacy network architectures no longer serve modern business needs. Instead, networks must be dynamic, programmable, and intelligent — capable of real-time decision-making, self-healing, and seamless integration across hybrid and edge environments.
Security, latency management, and end-to-end visibility emerged as core requirements. Panelists urged enterprises to treat networks not as background infrastructure, but as a strategic enabler of innovation, customer experience, and operational agility.
Key Takeaways:
Prioritize investment in programmable, AI-ready networks.Embed network observability to preempt disruptions.Align network design with CX goals and digital transformation roadmaps.
Panel 2: The CX Paradigm in a GenAI World
The second panel delved into the evolving expectations around customer experience and how GenAI is reshaping engagement models.
Panelists included:
Sriram N A, Regional IT Head at Bosch DigitalKrishnenjit Roy, Senior Vice President – Technology , Bank BazaarRajesh Chandran, Vice President, Product Management, Tata Communications
The panelists discussed and shared insights on how today's customers demand hyperpersonalized, real-time, and omnichannel interactions. GenAI is opening doors to deliver these experiences at scale — from intelligent chatbots to dynamic content generation.
However, the panel also attempted to address serious concerns such as the risks of unchecked experimentation, governance challenges, and ethical responsibilities related to data usage and privacy.
The group agreed that GenAI must be integrated thoughtfully, with a focus on trust, transparency, and sustained value creation, rather than for novelty.
Key Takeaways:
Use GenAI to enhance—not replace—human touchpoints in CX.Build robust governance frameworks for model training and deployment.Invest in AI literacy across the organization to drive responsible adoption.
Saina Nehwal: Lessons from the Arena
The event closed with a fireside chat featuring Saina Nehwal, Indian badminton icon. In conversation with Bhattacharya, Nehwal shared her personal journey to the top — a story marked by perseverance, reinvention, and focus.
Her reflections on resilience, strategic thinking, and mental agility drew powerful parallels with enterprise transformation. In an age where businesses must continuously evolve, her story served as a reminder that adaptability and determination remain timeless drivers of success.
As Executive We Connect 2025 concluded, a central insight emerged: navigating the future of hyperconnectivity demands enterprise reinvention at every level — technological, cultural, and strategic. Tata Communications, with its Digital Fabric and deep ecosystem capabilities, is positioning itself not just as an enabler of this transformation, but as a catalyst for leadership in the digital-first era.
Note: This article is a part of ETCIO's Brand Connect Initiative.
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Hindustan Times
an hour ago
- Hindustan Times
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Time of India
4 hours ago
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Mint
6 hours ago
- Mint
Harpal Singh Randhawa: The Indian outlier who defied geography to build an African fortune
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From Punjab to Zimbabwe Born on 9 August 1963, in Punjab, Randhawa was shaped by discipline at home and ambition outside it. After his schooling at The Lawrence School in Sanawar, he went on to pursue chartered accountancy in England. Also Read | How CR Bhansali exploited India's NBFC blind spots in the 1990s Subsequently, blending his father's military grit with sharp business instincts, he became an entrepreneur. His sister, Iqrup Dhamija, too, became a noted interior designer, reflecting the family's creative and driven ethos. Randhawa's son, Amer Kabir Singh Randhawa, a Stanford computer science graduate and pilot, inherited the same spirit but tragically died with his father in the crash. Randhawa's choice of Africa as his entrepreneurial canvas was bold and contrarian. In the early 1990s, as India's economy liberalized, spawning dozens of startups, he founded the Global Emerging Market Group (GEM), a private equity (PE) firm that invested in over 100 companies worldwide. By the time he passed away, the PE firm had amassed a $4 billion asset base. But it was the politically turbulent and economically unpredictable Zimbabwe, which finally threw off its colonial yoke only in 1980, that became his karmabhoomi. It is difficult to say if zeroing in on Zimbabwe was the bet of a visionary on untapped potential or a gambler's risky move in a region fraught with instability, but his success certainly suggests foresight. Randhawa's vehicle of growth was RioZim, a diversified mining group listed on the Zimbabwe Stock Exchange, which he bought into through GEM. From gold and diamonds to coal, nickel, and copper, his portfolio, spanning the Renco and Cam and Motor gold mines and the Murowa diamond mine, reflected strategic diversifications to serve as a hedge against market fluctuations. Unlike peers chasing quick profits, Randhawa invested in long-term asset management, navigating Zimbabwe's resource nationalism and forging complex partnerships. Through it all, his ability to read the shifting sands of power in the country set him apart. Mining in Africa often treads a fine line between opportunity and exploitation. While Randhawa's long-term vision fostered growth, the environmental and social impacts of his operations remain underexplored. RioZim also failed to live up to its promise as one of the country's top gold producers and, as of 2024, posted its fifth successive annual loss. His legacy That's not to deny Randhawa's success in building wealth. His estimated $5 billion net worth at the time of his death placed him in a rare league of African billionaires, alongside figures like South Africa's Patrice Motsepe, a mining magnate and philanthropist, and Indian-born entrepreneur Prateek Suri. Unlike Motsepe, whose public philanthropy softened his image, Randhawa operated with less fanfare, giving little thought to personal branding. Unfortunately, while his understated approach contrasts with the outsized personalities dominating the narrative of India's new billionaire class, it also leaves gaps in understanding his broader impact. In the past, Indian-origin entrepreneurs in Africa have faced unique challenges, including balancing local integration with a global mindset. Randhawa's skilful navigation of these waters, the ability to thrive under unfamiliar legal regimes, social expectations, and economic cycles, is a great lesson for wannabe entrepreneurs keen on treading less conventional paths. Sadly, on 29 September 2023, a RioZim-owned Cessna 206 bound for the Murowa mine crashed, killing Randhawa, his son Amer, and all aboard. The tragedy cut short an unusual career that was marked by risk-taking and the choice of roads less travelled. Randhawa's story challenges the narrative of global Indian success tied to Western hubs like Silicon Valley. Also Read | Alagappa Chettiar's legacy of fortune and philanthropy His legacy is that of an outlier who created opportunity in Africa's complexity, a reminder that the world's most compelling business stories often emerge in unexpected places. Topics You May Be Interested In Catch all the Business News , Corporate news , Breaking News Events and Latest News Updates on Live Mint. Download The Mint News App to get Daily Market Updates.