Tag: Bharat Mandapam

TechPulse

Goa’s AI Mission 2027 Turns Heads at India AI Impact Summit 2026

Tanisha Cardozo

Goa’s growing ambition to position itself as a hub for artificial intelligence and emerging technologies took centre stage at the India AI Impact Summit 2026, held at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi. Over six days of high-level engagement, the Goa pavilion stood out as a dynamic showcase of innovation, attracting over 200 visitors, including global technology stakeholders, policymakers, and industry leaders.

At the heart of the showcase was the state’s forward-looking Goa AI Mission 2027, an initiative aimed at fostering responsible AI adoption, supporting startups, and building strong collaborations between industry and academia. The pavilion, set up by the Department of Information Technology, Electronics & Communications (DITE&C), Government of Goa, reflected a clear vision—one that positions Goa not just as a tourism destination, but as an emerging technology and innovation hub.

The Goa delegation was led by Chief Minister Pramod Sawant and IT Minister Rohan Khaunte, along with senior officials who engaged directly with stakeholders throughout the summit. Their presence underscored the government’s commitment to driving digital transformation and strengthening the state’s tech ecosystem.

What made the pavilion particularly vibrant was the participation of Goan startups, which brought innovation to life through real-world applications. These startups showcased solutions across sectors, actively engaging with visitors and forging meaningful connections. From AI-driven enterprise tools to advanced imaging technologies, the interactions highlighted the depth of talent and creativity emerging from Goa.

The international interest was equally significant, with delegates from countries including France, Sweden, Japan, Canada, the United States, Ghana, and Cuba exploring potential collaborations. Representatives from national organisations and other Indian states also visited the pavilion, keen to understand Goa’s approach to AI and its rapidly evolving ecosystem.

Among the notable visitors was Defence Research & Development Organisation Director General Lal Chand Mangal, who expressed strong interest in indigenous innovations such as hyperspectral imaging technology developed by Phosic India Pvt. Ltd. He highlighted its potential applications in homeland security and defence, opening doors for further collaboration and real-world deployment.

Visitors at the pavilion also experienced Goa’s digital initiatives firsthand. One such highlight was the AI chatbot integrated into the GoaOnline portal, designed to simplify access to government services and provide instant responses to user queries. For attendees like Manisha Desai, the experience was both engaging and reassuring, offering a glimpse into how technology can enhance everyday governance.

For participating startups, the summit proved to be more than just an exhibition—it was a gateway to opportunity. Entrepreneurs shared how the platform enabled them to connect with global industry leaders, media companies, and policymakers. These interactions not only expanded their visibility but also opened avenues for international collaboration, particularly in markets like the United States and Canada.

As the summit concluded, the impact of Goa’s participation was evident. The state returned with valuable connections, potential partnerships, and a strengthened position in India’s AI landscape. The momentum generated at the event signals a promising future, where Goa continues to evolve into a centre for innovation, technology, and forward-thinking solutions, driven by a vision that extends well beyond its shores.

Goan Personalities

IT Minister Rohan Khaunte Inaugurates Goa Pavilion at AI Impact Expo in New Delhi

Tanisha Cardozo

Rohan Khaunte, Minister for Information Technology, Electronics & Communications, Tourism, Printing & Stationery, Government of Goa, inaugurated the Goa Pavilion at the AI Impact Expo held at Bharat Mandapam on February 18, 2026, ahead of the India AI Impact Summit scheduled for February 19-20.

The AI Impact Expo serves as an experiential platform bringing together international, state, enterprise and startup pavilions to showcase cutting-edge innovations and transformative AI solutions. The Goa Pavilion highlights the state’s expanding footprint in Artificial Intelligence and emerging technologies, while also featuring five promising startups — DivvyUp and Grow, Frover Labs Pvt. Ltd., Neural Kissan, Kverty and Phosic India Pvt. Ltd.

The inauguration took place in the presence of Sanjeev Ahuja, IAS, Secretary, ITE&C, and Kabir Shirgaonkar, Director, DITE&C, along with other senior officials.

Addressing the gathering, Rohan Khaunte emphasised Goa’s strategic roadmap under the Goa AI Mission 2027, which focuses on AI skilling, citizen-centric service delivery and the establishment of a dedicated AI Skilling Centre and Centre of Excellence to promote research and capacity building. He also underlined the importance of strengthening industry-academia partnerships and nurturing the startup ecosystem to position Goa as a destination where innovation thrives alongside quality of life.

During his visit, the Minister interacted with startup founders at the pavilion and held discussions with representatives from National Association of Software and Service Companies, central government bodies and industry leaders to explore collaboration avenues and attract investment opportunities for the state.

Goa’s participation at the international-level summit reflects its commitment to accelerating digital transformation and reinforcing its emergence as a preferred hub for technology innovation and AI-driven enterprises, while also strengthening its appeal as a global Digital Nomad destination.

TechPulse

Goa Strengthens AI Commitment at India AI Impact Summit 2026

Tanisha Cardozo

Goa is reinforcing its commitment to emerging technologies and future-ready governance with a strong and strategic presence at the India AI Impact Summit 2026, organised by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology at Bharat Mandapam from February 16 to 20, 2026. The summit marks the first major global AI gathering hosted in the Global South and seeks to shape an inclusive, responsible and resilient Artificial Intelligence ecosystem aligned with the vision of People, Planet and Progress.

The Department of Information Technology, Electronics & Communications (DITE&C), Government of Goa, is representing the state at the summit, underscoring its strategic ambition to position Goa as an emerging AI-driven innovation hub within India and on the international stage. The event has drawn participation from political leaders, industry heads, startups and global stakeholders, placing Goa’s initiatives in a broader global conversation on ethical and scalable AI.

During the inaugural knowledge-sharing workshop on AI adoption, Shri Heramb Kanekar from the Startup and IT Promotion Cell, DITE&C, outlined Goa’s AI roadmap and reaffirmed the state’s focus on building citizen-centric and responsible AI solutions. Under the Goa AI Mission 2027, the government has introduced initiatives such as the AI for Governance & Social Impact workshop, AI Hackathons and the launch of an AI Chatbot on the Goa Online Portal. These measures reflect a policy direction that views AI not merely as a technological upgrade, but as a transformative tool to improve public service delivery, enhance transparency, empower startups and drive sustainable economic growth.

A major highlight of the summit is the AI Impact Expo at Bharat Mandapam, an expansive experiential showcase spanning over 70,000 square metres across 10 arenas and featuring more than 840 exhibitors. The expo was inaugurated by Narendra Modi on the opening day, drawing significant national and international attention.

Supported by DITE&C, five Goa-based startups are exhibiting at the expo, demonstrating AI applications across diverse sectors. These include DivvyUp and Grow by Shri Gaurish Datta Pangam and Shri Shivam Kamat; Frover Labs Pvt. Ltd. by Shri Siddharth Manjrekar and Shri Sarvesh Patkar; Neural Kissan by Shri Sai Vitthal Rane; Kverty by Shri Mexson Fernandes; and Phosic India Pvt. Ltd. by Shri Dewansh Choudhary. Their participation highlights the depth and diversity of Goa’s growing innovation ecosystem and the state’s commitment to nurturing AI-led entrepreneurship.

While the expo remains open throughout the summit, the final two days will feature Leaders’ Plenary Sessions, roundtables and panel discussions focusing on how AI can serve humanity, foster inclusive growth and support sustainable development. Through forward-looking policy, strategic collaborations and sustained investment in its startup ecosystem, Goa is positioning itself as a responsible and future-ready AI destination.

Delegates, industry leaders, investors and visitors are invited to explore the Goa Pavilion at Stall No. 4F.21 in Hall No. 4 to experience firsthand how Goan innovators are leveraging Artificial Intelligence to create meaningful, inclusive and sustainable impact.

Travel

Delhi Hotel Prices Soar to ₹5 Lakh Ahead of India AI Impact Summit 2026

Tanisha Cardozo

Hotel room rates across New Delhi have risen sharply ahead of the India AI Impact Summit 2026, with some luxury rooms reportedly touching ₹4 lakh to ₹5 lakh per night during the peak dates. The summit, scheduled from February 16 to 20 at Bharat Mandapam in central Delhi, is expected to draw thousands of global delegates, technology leaders, and policymakers, creating unprecedented demand across the city’s hospitality sector.

Hotels across the capital are witnessing near-full occupancy for the summit period. The event has already received more than 35,000 registrations from around the world, leading to a surge in last-minute bookings and steep price increases. Rooms that usually cost between ₹20,000 and ₹40,000 per night are now being sold at significantly higher rates due to the demand spike.

Travel portals show that during the peak dates of February 19 and 20, room prices at several five-star hotels are reaching a few lakh rupees per night. In some premium categories, especially luxury suites and club rooms, rates are reportedly crossing ₹4 lakh to ₹5 lakh per night. Many of these high-end rooms are either already sold out or available only with strict minimum-stay conditions.

Aloke Bajpai, CEO of travel portal Ixigo, confirmed the surge in prices, stating that several five-star hotels in Delhi NCR are charging more than ₹1 lakh per night between February 16 and 20. Flagship properties such as The Leela Palace, ITC Maurya, and Taj Palace have increased their tariffs for the summit period, with standard luxury rooms now priced at peak-season levels.

Central Delhi properties are also seeing heavy demand. Hotels like The Imperial, Shangri-La Eros, and The Park are nearly sold out between February 18 and 20. According to Ixigo data, a room at The Imperial in Connaught Place on February 17 is priced at more than ₹2.4 lakh per night, while Radisson Blu is charging around ₹1.1 lakh for the same date.

The India AI Impact Summit is being described as the largest among the four global AI summits held so far. It is expected to host participants from more than 100 countries, including 15 to 20 heads of government, over 50 ministers, and representatives from more than 40 global and Indian companies. Around 500 key figures from the global AI ecosystem, including innovators, researchers, and chief technology officers, are also expected to attend.

The summit was announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the France AI Action Summit and will mark the first global AI summit hosted in the Global South. With the capital preparing to host one of the largest international technology gatherings, the sharp rise in hotel prices reflects the scale and global interest surrounding the event.

TechPulse

Tata Power’s EZ Home Wins Top Honour for AI/ML Innovation at National Power Conference

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral

Tata Power’s smart home automation brand, EZ Home, has earned national recognition after being declared the sole winner in the Home Automation category at the AI/ML National Conference organised by the Ministry of Power. Held at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi, the conference brought together the country’s most promising AI-driven innovations in the power and energy sector. EZ Home stood out among strong contenders including Genus, Schneider Electric, Blaze, and Adani, securing its position as a leading force in India’s smart home ecosystem.

The Ministry’s initiative aims to highlight pioneering AI/ML solutions shaping the future of the power distribution landscape. From 195 applications submitted by DISCOMs, AMISPs, technology innovators, and home automation companies, only 51 solutions were shortlisted for deeper evaluation. EZ Home distinguished itself through its integration of smart home automation with AI-enabled smart meter analytics, demonstrating a consumer-centric approach that enhances convenience, safety, and energy efficiency for households across India.

The EZ Home ecosystem includes a versatile range of Wi-Fi-enabled devices such as smart switches, retrofittable modules, sensors, universal IR controllers, and smart plugs that seamlessly integrate with existing wiring. Through the EZ Home app and compatibility with major voice assistants, users can remotely manage appliances, monitor consumption at device level, automate routines, and receive intelligent insights powered by AI and machine learning. These capabilities allow consumers to better understand their energy use and make informed decisions that optimise consumption, ultimately contributing to long-term grid efficiency.

A distinguished jury featuring members from NPTI, Google India, Microsoft India, Meta India, and SARVAM evaluated the entries. EZ Home’s scalable architecture, intuitive design, and its potential to expand access to smart home technology across India earned high appreciation from the panel.

A Tata Power spokesperson emphasised that this recognition affirms the company’s commitment to building AI-led digital solutions that enhance consumer experiences while supporting India’s transition to intelligent, future-ready energy frameworks. Tata Power was also recognised in the AMISP category at the same conference, adding another milestone to its rapidly growing portfolio of technology-driven innovations.

Tata Power, one of India’s largest integrated power companies, continues to strengthen its role in the nation’s clean energy transition. With a diversified 15.9 GW portfolio spanning renewable and conventional energy, transmission, distribution, trading, storage, and solar manufacturing, the company is steadily progressing toward its Net Zero 2045 mission. Serving around 13 million customers nationwide, Tata Power remains committed to advancing systems that elevate efficiency, sustainability, and digital intelligence across India’s energy ecosystem.