Tag: Digital India

TechPulse

Goa AI Mission 2027 Gains Strategic Support from Sarvam AI

Tanisha Cardozo

The Government of Goa’s ambition to lead in ethical, responsible, and innovation-led AI adoption has received a major boost as Sarvam AI, India’s first sovereign AI startup, extended its support for the Goa AI Mission 2027. The Department of Information Technology, Electronics & Communications (DITE&C) hosted a virtual session with Sarvam AI, marking a significant step toward building an AI ecosystem rooted in cultural relevance, local language access, and inclusive design.

Sarvam AI, recently selected under the IndiaAI Mission, is building a full-stack generative AI platform tailored for India. During the session, Sarvam AI showcased key products including Sarvam Samvaad (a conversational AI), Sarvam Arya (an enterprise reasoning engine), and Vistaar (a serverless deployment platform)—all built to support Indian languages and contexts.

The discussion was led by DITE&C Director Shri Kabir Shirgaonkar and Joint Director Dr. Milind Sakhardande, along with SeMT leads Ms. Sharda Katare and Shri Amit Bandekar. Sarvam AI was represented by its Founder Mr. Shubham Arora, along with Guru Prabhaker, Director – Sales, and Prerna Bhandari, Public Sector Lead. The focus was on three pillars: policy collaboration, co-development of citizen-centric AI services, and the establishment of an AI Centre of Excellence in Goa.

A key outcome of the session was the shared interest in building a Konkani Large Language Model (LLM). This language model would contribute significantly to the digital preservation of Goa’s linguistic and cultural heritage while enabling AI-powered services for local communities in their native tongue.

Hon’ble Minister for Information Technology, Electronics & Communications, Shri Rohan A. Khaunte, stated, “As the government is working towards creating Centres of Excellence in AI, the goal is to make Goa a hub for applied research, experimentation and industry collaboration. Through the AI Mission 2027, we are laying the groundwork in policy, infrastructure, research, and skills to lead in ethical and responsible AI adoption.”

Shri Kabir Shirgaonkar, Director of DITE&C, added, “Collaborating with industry leaders like Sarvam AI strengthens Goa’s vision of building an AI ecosystem that is not only innovative and sovereign but also deeply rooted in our local languages and cultural context. A key part of this mission is the development of a Konkani Large Language Model, which will help digitally preserve and promote Goa’s rich linguistic and cultural heritage. Their approach ensures that technology benefits every community across the state.”

Goa AI Mission 2027 is already mapping out skill development programs, research infrastructure, and AI governance frameworks. Partnerships like this signal a move from planning to implementation—ensuring that the benefits of AI are not just futuristic, but real, contextual, and accessible to every Goan.

Business, Entertainment

BSNL Partners with OTTplay to Launch Premium Mobile Entertainment Packs

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Written by Intern Queeny George M.H , Team Allycaral

BSNL has announced the launch of Premium Content Packs for its mobile customers in partnership with OTTplay, India’s first AI-powered OTT content discovery and distribution platform. Following the successful rollout of the free BiTV services in January, which drew massive user engagement, BSNL aims to cater to the growing demand for high-quality digital entertainment through these newly introduced premium packs.

The Premium Content Packs will offer BSNL users curated access to an expansive library of on-demand entertainment from leading OTT platforms, along with over 300 live TV channels. Powered by OTTplay’s advanced AI-driven recommendation engine, the content is personalized for users, offering a seamless and enriched viewing experience.

Robert J Ravi, Chairman and Managing Director of BSNL, said, “At BSNL, we are committed to enhancing our customers’ digital experience beyond connectivity. Our new Premium Content Packs, in collaboration with OTTplay, bring together the best of OTT and live television in one affordable offering, giving our mobile users an unmatched entertainment destination.”

These paid packs are designed to deliver a comprehensive entertainment experience and will be easily accessible through multiple subscription touchpoints, including the BSNL Self Care App, GPay, PhonePe, and other widely used platforms. The collaboration is strategically positioned to tap into audiences in Tier 2 and Tier 3 markets where BSNL maintains a strong network presence, significantly broadening the reach of premium digital content to millions of users who may not have had access previously.

This initiative marks another milestone in BSNL’s digital transformation journey and reflects the telecom giant’s commitment to offering value-added services that resonate with evolving consumer demands in the Indian market.

Business

UPI Crosses 20 Billion Monthly Transactions for the First Time in August 2025

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National | September 1, 2025

India’s Unified Payments Interface (UPI) has achieved a historic milestone by crossing 20 billion transactions in a single month for the first time in August 2025. This record underscores the country’s growing digital payments ecosystem and its leadership in fintech innovation.

According to the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), the surge was driven by increased adoption of digital payments across urban and rural markets, integration of UPI into global platforms, and rising trust in India’s cashless economy.

🔑 Key Drivers of Growth:

  • 📲 Widespread smartphone penetration and internet access.
  • 🛍️ Increasing use of UPI for retail, e-commerce, and utility payments.
  • 🌍 Expansion of UPI’s global footprint, enabling cross-border transactions.
  • 💳 Rising preference for instant, secure, and low-cost payments.

Over the past few years, UPI has become a cornerstone of India’s digital economy. From street vendors to large corporations, its adoption reflects inclusivity and convenience.

What This Means for India
Industry experts suggest this milestone not only cements UPI’s role as a national payments backbone but also strengthens India’s global positioning in digital finance. With ongoing innovations like UPI Lite, Credit on UPI, and international collaborations, transaction volumes are expected to rise further in the coming years.

Looking Ahead
As India accelerates toward a cashless future, UPI’s exponential growth signals a shift in consumer behavior and financial accessibility. The 20-billion mark is more than a statistic—it’s a testament to the success of India’s digital economy vision.

📖 Stay updated on fintech and innovation stories at allycaral.com

TechPulse

Goa’s Tech Leader Mangirish Salelkar Speaks at 8th Global AI Leadership Meet

Tanisha Cardozo

In a proud moment for Goa’s growing tech ecosystem, Mangirish Salelkar, CEO & Co-Founder of Umang Software, took center stage as a key speaker at the ‘AI for India’ – 8th Global AI Leadership Meet. The prestigious forum brought together thought leaders, global tech companies, and policymakers to shape the future of Artificial Intelligence in India and beyond.

Speaking on the global platform, Mr. Salelkar highlighted the transformative role of AI across sectors — from revolutionizing healthcare and modernizing businesses to creating smarter governance systems. With practical insights and a vision rooted in innovation, he emphasized the need for India to lead responsibly and inclusively in the AI age.

One of the major highlights of his address was the introduction of the Goa AI Mission — an ambitious initiative designed to position Goa as a leading hub for AI-powered innovation, talent development, entrepreneurship, and sustainability. The mission aims to:

  • Establish AI research and development clusters in Goa
  • Foster AI education and training for youth and professionals
  • Promote startup incubation and tech entrepreneurship
  • Collaborate with national and global tech players

“Goa has the talent, infrastructure, and vision to become a meaningful contributor to India’s AI future. The Goa AI Mission is our collective blueprint for inclusive tech-driven growth,” Mr. Salelkar stated.

This event reinforces Goa’s presence on the national and global innovation map, with leaders like Mangirish Salelkar driving bold ideas that combine technology, vision, and impact.

Human Interest

India Post’s Iconic Red Letterboxes: Here Yesterday, Here Today, Here Always 📮

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For generations, India Post has been a bridge between people, places, and emotions — delivering letters filled with love, news, and stories. While the digital age has transformed the way we communicate, some traditions stand strong.

India Post has announced that its iconic red letterboxes, which have adorned street corners and postal offices for decades, are here to stay. More than just a functional drop box for letters, these bright red fixtures are symbols of connection, nostalgia, and shared history.

From handwritten love notes to important official documents, the red letterbox has seen it all. In an era of instant messaging, the charm of sealing an envelope, affixing a stamp, and posting it remains unmatched for many.

As India Post embraces technological advancements such as online tracking, speed post, and digital payment options, it continues to uphold its legacy of personal touch and reliability. The message is clear — Then. Now. Always.

So, go ahead — keep writing, keep posting, and keep those memories alive. The red letterbox will be waiting.